Statue of Lala Lajpat Rai - Shimla Now

This statue was re-unveiled on August 15, 1948 by Hon’ble Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargva, Premier of East Punjab. This picture taken around 1955-1960.

Lala Lajpat Rai was among the prominent freedom fighters of British India. Born in Punjab, he is popularly referred to as the Lion of Punjab. He died on November 17, 1928 on account of injuries suffered during lathi charge on a procession, led by him and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, against the Simon Commission. A statue of this important national figure stands tall at the Scandal Point in Shimla. Planted on a marble podium, the sculpture depicts Lalaji addressing an audience. This statue was unveiled on August 15, 1948 after being brought from Lahore.

Who made the statue :

Born in Dibrugarh, Assam in 1902, Bhabesh Chander Sanyal studied at the Government School of Art and Craft Calcutta. His unique style earned him a commission to make a bronze statue of Lala Lajpat Rai at the time of 1929 Congress session at Lahore. He was merely 27 yrs of age when he made this marvelous statue. 

Statue in Lahore :

At Lahore this statue was displayed in front of Gol Bagh, now known as Nasir Bagh in Pakistan. As can be gleamed from the writings on the back plaque of this statue, it was originally mounted by the workers of Arya Savrajya Sabha Panjab Lahore in 1929, pedestal foundation stone was laid by Mahatma Gandhi and Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru collectively followed by unveiling of the statue by Sh. Vithal Bhai Patel on 1st January 1930 on the occasion of 46th Congress session.

Related: Town Hall Shimla in 1910

How and when statue was brought to Shimla :

The announcement of the Independence of India on 15th August 1947 generated the atmosphere of fear and utter confusion and chaos amongst both Hindus and Muslims which resulted in wide spread massacre and migration to their respected allotted abodes. Hindus tried to board the very first train to India which they could get. Few Arya Savrajya Sabha and Congress workers hurriedly dismantled the statue of Lala ji, wrapped and stuffed it with bed sheet and after covering it carefully with hold-alls “bisterbunds” pushed it through the door of the bogie of the passenger train, to avoid of its being noticed by hooligans. The statue, thus concealed, reached Amabala station and from there it found its destination to Shimla.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of India, visited the site of the statue of Lala Lajpat Rai in Simla during his stay there in September, 1951.

Related: Shimla Bazaar in 1921

Re-unveiling of statue on The Mall Shimla :

This statue was re-unveiled on August 15, 1948 by Hon’ble Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargva, Premier of East Punjab. In Sept, 1951, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of India, garlanded the statue of Lala Lajpat Rai. He was received by the President and Members of the Simla Municipal Committee on arrival at the site. On the occasion H.E. Shri Chandulal Trivedi, Governor of Punjab was also present.

Courtesy:Photo Division India, Suresh Sharma

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