Delhi conspiracy case 1912

The Delhi Conspiracy Case of 1912, also known as the Delhi-Lahore Conspiracy Case, was a significant event in India’s revolutionary history during the early twentieth century. It centred on an attempt to assassinate the Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge, during a ceremonial procession in Delhi. The conspiracy reflected the intensifying revolutionary activities against British rule and the growing impatience of Indian nationalists with constitutional methods of reform. The incident became a landmark in the Indian independence movement, revealing both the boldness of the revolutionaries and the repressive measures adopted by the colonial government.

Historical Background

In the early 1900s, India witnessed a surge of nationalist sentiment, especially following the Partition of Bengal in 1905, which deeply offended Indian sensibilities and provoked widespread protests. The rise of extremist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo Ghosh, and Bipin Chandra Pal inspired a younger generation of revolutionaries to adopt militant methods against the British Raj. Several secret societies emerged in Bengal, Punjab, and Maharashtra, advocating direct action through armed resistance.
Lord Hardinge, appointed Viceroy in 1910, decided to shift the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi. The formal declaration of this transfer was to be celebrated on 23 December 1912, with a grand procession through the streets of Delhi. This event provided the revolutionaries with an opportunity to strike at the heart of British authority.

The Assassination Attempt

On the day of the ceremonial procession, Lord Hardinge and Lady Hardinge were travelling on an elephant through Chandni Chowk, accompanied by British officials and troops. As the procession moved past the Red Fort, a powerful homemade bomb was hurled from a nearby building into the howdah carrying the Viceroy. The explosion severely injured Lord Hardinge and killed his attendant, while Lady Hardinge narrowly escaped harm.
The bomb had been prepared and thrown by revolutionaries belonging to the Ghadr (Ghadar) and Anushilan Samiti movements. The primary conspirators included Basanta Kumar Biswas, Amba Prasad (Master Amir Chand), Avadh Behari, and Bhai Balmukund, all associated with revolutionary circles in Bengal and Punjab. The bomb used in the attack was made of metal, filled with picric acid, and designed to cause maximum damage—a testament to the technical expertise of the revolutionaries of that period.

Investigation and Trial

The British administration responded swiftly, launching an extensive investigation across several provinces. The case was first registered in Delhi but later transferred to Lahore for trial, hence earning the name Delhi-Lahore Conspiracy Case. The police arrested a number of suspects through coordinated raids and intelligence operations, assisted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
During the trial, the prosecution argued that the attack was part of a wider revolutionary conspiracy aimed at overthrowing British rule. Evidence included correspondence, bomb-making materials, and testimonies from informers. The trial, which lasted for several months, culminated in severe sentences for the accused.
The verdicts were as follows:

• Basanta Kumar Biswas, Amba Prasad (Master Amir Chand), and Avadh Behari were sentenced to death and executed in May 1915.
• Bhai Balmukund was also executed for his role in the plot.
• Several others received life imprisonment or transportation for life to the Andaman Cellular Jail.

The executions of the accused revolutionaries transformed them into martyrs for the cause of Indian freedom. Their courage and defiance in court were widely admired among nationalist circles.

Revolutionary Context and Influence

The Delhi Conspiracy Case was part of a broader pattern of revolutionary activities that included earlier incidents such as the Alipore Bomb Case (1908) and later conspiracies like the Ghadar Movement (1914–1915) and the Kakori Conspiracy (1925). These events demonstrated the determination of Indian youth to fight colonial rule through militant means when constitutional efforts seemed ineffective.
The ideological inspiration for these revolutionaries came from various sources—European anarchist movements, the writings of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and Swami Vivekananda, and the political philosophy of Swaraj (self-rule) promoted by the Indian National Congress’s extremist wing.
The Delhi plot also revealed the close network between revolutionaries from different regions. While Bengal provided the intellectual and ideological centre, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh contributed manpower and logistical support. The incident thus reflected a pan-Indian revolutionary consciousness that transcended regional boundaries.

British Reaction and Policy Impact

The British government viewed the assassination attempt as a direct challenge to imperial authority. In response, it intensified its surveillance and suppression of revolutionary groups. The Criminal Law Amendment Act (1913) and similar measures expanded police powers to arrest and detain suspected nationalists without trial.
The authorities also strengthened intelligence networks and introduced stricter control over publications, associations, and political gatherings. Simultaneously, the government attempted to mitigate growing discontent through limited constitutional reforms, such as the Government of India Act of 1919, which introduced a system of diarchy in provincial administration.
The harsh repression that followed the conspiracy alienated many moderate Indians, pushing sections of the educated middle class towards more assertive political positions. This, in turn, paved the way for later revolutionary and mass movements under leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Bhagat Singh.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Delhi Conspiracy Case occupies an important place in the narrative of India’s freedom struggle. It symbolised the revolutionary phase that preceded the rise of Gandhian non-violence, showcasing the willingness of young Indians to sacrifice their lives for independence.
Although the attempt to assassinate the Viceroy failed, it sent shockwaves through the colonial administration and inspired further militant activity across India. The bravery of figures such as Basanta Kumar Biswas, who was only nineteen at the time of his execution, became a rallying point for subsequent generations of nationalists.