The Second Phase of Revolutionary Terrorism (1920s–1930s) emerged because of the sudden withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922. Young leaders felt disillusioned with non-violence and turned back to armed struggle.
This phase was more organized and influenced by Socialist ideology.
1. The HRA and HSRA (North India)
- 1924: Hindustan Republican Association (HRA)
- Founded in: Kanpur.
- Founders: Ram Prasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, and Sachindra Sanyal.
- Goal: To establish a “Federal Republic of United States of India” through armed revolution.
- Aug 9, 1925: Kakori Train Robbery
- HRA revolutionaries looted the 8-Down train carrying government cash.
- Result: Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Lahiri were hanged. Chandrashekhar Azad escaped.
- 1928: HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Association)
- Founded at: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.
- The Change: Under Bhagat Singh and Azad, “Socialist” was added to the name, shifting the goal from just independence to an exploitation-free society.
- Dec 1928: Saunders’ Murder (Lahore Conspiracy Case)
- Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev killed ASP Saunders to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
- April 8, 1929: Central Assembly Bombing
- Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw harmless smoke bombs into the Assembly to “make the deaf hear.” They did not flee; they surrendered to use the trial as a platform.
- March 23, 1931: Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were hanged.
2. The Bengal Phase (Surya Sen)
- April 18, 1930: Chittagong Armoury Raid
- Leader: Surya Sen (affectionately called “Master Da”).
- Strategy: They didn’t just throw a bomb; they captured two government armouries, cut telephone/telegraph lines, and disrupted the railway.
- Proclamation: They declared a Provisional Revolutionary Government.
- Role of Women: This phase saw massive participation of women.
- Pritilata Waddedar: Died leading a raid on the Pahartali European Club (1932).
- Kalpana Datta: Arrested and tried along with Surya Sen.
- Bina Das: Fired at the Governor (Stanley Jackson) during her convocation ceremony (1932).
- Shanti Ghosh & Suniti Chaudhary: Schoolgirls who assassinated District Magistrate Stevens (1931).
3. Revolutionary Organizations & Books (Quick Reference)
| Organization / Work | Person Associated | Significance |
| Bandi Jiwan (Book) | Sachindra Sanyal | Often called the “Bible of Revolutionaries.” |
| The Philosophy of the Bomb | Bhagwati Charan Vohra | A response to Gandhi’s criticism of violence. |
| Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926) | Bhagat Singh | To mobilize youth and peasants in Punjab. |
| Indian Republican Army | Surya Sen | The unit that conducted the Chittagong Raid. |
4. Summary of Chronology & Interrelationships
- 1922: Non-Cooperation Movement ends $\rightarrow$ Disillusionment.
- 1924: HRA formed (Kanpur) to revive armed struggle.
- 1925: Kakori Robbery leads to the execution of the first-tier HRA leaders.
- 1928: Bhagat Singh & Azad reorganize HRA into HSRA, adding Socialist goals.
- 1929–31: Assembly Bombing and Lahore Trial turn Bhagat Singh into a national icon.
- 1930: Surya Sen proves that revolutionaries could successfully take over a district (Chittagong).
- 1931: Chandrashekhar Azad dies in a shootout at Alfred Park (Allahabad), vowing never to be caught alive.