Chained But Unbroken: The Last Stand of Manindranath Bannerjee
दिल फ़िदा करते हैं, क़ुर्बान जिगर करते हैं,
आज जो कुछ है, वो मता की नज़र करते हैं।
ख़ाना वीरान कहाँ, देखिए घर करते हैं,
ख़ुश रहो अहले-वतन, हम तो सफ़र करते हैं।
"We offer our hearts, we sacrifice our souls,
Whatever we have today, we lay at our motherland’s feet.
We do not seek comfort or shelter—wherever we go becomes home.
Stay happy, people of my nation, for we are destined to depart on this journey."
In the long, painful struggle for India’s independence, countless brave hearts laid down their lives—not always with guns, but with grit, silence, and sacrifice. Manindranath Bannerjee, a young revolutionary, chose the path of resistance not only through direct action but ultimately through the extreme protest of a hunger strike, which claimed his life in Fatehgarh Jail in 1934.
Today, how many of us remember the name of this quiet martyr? In a country where statues and slogans celebrate the few, the many who truly suffered and died in prison cells, away from the limelight, remain buried in silence. Manindranath was part of that forgotten generation of revolutionaries who endured torture, solitary confinement, and systematic neglect under British colonial rule. His death, caused by prolonged starvation during a protest for political rights, stands as a chilling reminder of both British brutality and Indian courage.
This post seeks not only to tell his story, but to reclaim his name from the footnotes of history. In remembering Manindranath Banerjee, we remember all those who gave their lives in silence, so that we could one day speak freely.
Manindranath Bannerjee
Manindranath Bannerjee
Born 13 January 1909
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, British India Died 20 June 1934 (aged 25)
Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh, British India Cause of death Death by hunger strike Nationality Indian Known for Member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association & martyrdom by hunger strike in Fatehgarh jail Movement Indian independence movement Parents Dr. Tarachand Banerjee (father)
Sunayani Devi (mother)
Manindranath Bannerjee
| Born | 13 January 1909 Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, British India |
| Died | 20 June 1934 (aged 25) Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh, British India |
| Cause of death | Death by hunger strike |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Known for | Member of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association & martyrdom by hunger strike in Fatehgarh jail |
| Movement | Indian independence movement |
| Parents | Dr. Tarachand Banerjee (father) Sunayani Devi (mother) |
While imprisoned in Fatehgarh Central Jail, Manindranath undertook a hunger strike on 14 May 1934, protesting the inhumane treatment of political prisoners. After 36 days of resolute fasting, he embraced martyrdom on 20 June 1934, at the tender age of 25. Remarkably, all eight of his brothers were active participants in India’s freedom movement, rendering their family a shining emblem of collective patriotic resistance.
Manindranath Banerjee’s sacrifice continues to echo through the pages of India’s history—a radiant reminder of the courage and undying resolve that defined the revolutionary spirit of our freedom struggle.
Early life and family background
Manindranath Banerjee was born on 13 January 1909 in Banaras (now Varanasi) into a respected Bengali family renowned for its commitment to public service and unwavering opposition to colonial rule. His father, Dr. Tarachand Banerjee, was a reputed homeopathic physician, while his mother, Sunayani Devi, stood firmly behind her sons’ involvement in the national struggle, offering moral strength and support. His grandfather, Hare Prasanna Banerjee, had once served as a deputy collector under the British administration but, driven by conscience, resigned in 1899 to protest imperial policies and threw himself into the rising tide of the Indian independence movement.
The Banerjee household was a crucible of revolutionary zeal. Manindranath was one of eight brothers, each of whom played a role in resisting British domination. Among them, his younger brother Basant Kumar Banerjee later made his home in Khanpur No. 1, Dineshpur, Uttarakhand, after the Partition of 1947. The family’s united devotion to the freedom cause earned them deep respect and admiration, especially among Bengali settlers in the Terai region, where their sacrifices became part of local legend and pride.
Revolutionary activities and arrest
Association with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)
In the years following the Kakori conspiracy case of 1925, Manindranath Banerjee aligned himself with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)—a revolutionary outfit determined to bring down British colonial rule through direct armed resistance. By the late 1920s, he became an active member of the HSRA’s Banaras unit, which continued its underground operations with undeterred resolve, even after the brutal suppression of the organization and the martyrdom of its senior leaders. Manindranath looked upon Rajendra Nath Lahiri, one of the chief martyrs of the Kakori episode, as his ideological guide and spiritual inspiration.
The harsh and exemplary punishments meted out to the revolutionaries of Kakori left a deep emotional scar on the young Manindranath. Historical testimonies suggest that he squarely blamed Jitendra Nath Banerjee, a senior officer in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), for providing the key evidence that sealed Lahiri’s fate. For his collaboration, Jitendra Nath was conferred the imperial title of "Rai Bahadur" by the British—a distinction that, to Manindranath, symbolized betrayal and treachery against the motherland.
Assassination attempt on Jitendra Nath Banerjee
On 13 January 1928, the day he turned 19, Manindranath Banerjee made a daring attempt to assassinate Jitendra Nath Banerjee, the man he held responsible for the judicial murder of Rajendra Lahiri.
The act unfolded at Godowlia Chowk, in Banaras, near the revered Kashi Raj Kali Temple, while Jitendra Nath was on his way for a religious offering. With unflinching resolve, Manindranath confronted him and fired three close-range shots from a revolver. Though the shots did not kill him instantly, Jitendra Nath slipped into a coma and remained unconscious for nearly three months.
According to contemporary accounts, moments after the attack, Manindranath confronted his target with piercing words of justice:
“Pay the price for the hanging of Rajendra Lahiri.”
“You have got your reward for the Kakori case.”
He was swiftly apprehended at the scene and taken into custody by British authorities. But to those who witnessed it, the act was not just an assassination attempt—it was the outcry of a generation unwilling to forgive betrayal or forget martyrdom.
Trial and judgment
There remains some historical ambiguity regarding the personal relationship between Manindranath and Jitendra Nath Banerjee. While a few sources claim that the officer was Manindranath’s maternal uncle, others challenge this assertion. Yet, irrespective of any familial ties, the revolutionary community of the time perceived the act as a righteous act of vengeance—a bold retaliation for the British state’s brutal crackdown on the Kakori heroes.
At his trial, Manindranath Banerjee was found guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and was sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment. Though spared the gallows, this sentence marked the beginning of a long and harrowing journey—one that would ultimately lead him to lay down his life and be remembered as a martyr in the cause of India's liberation.
Imprisonment and hunger strike in Fatehgarh Jail
Conditions at Fatehgarh Central Jail
Following his conviction in 1928, Manindranath Banerjee was sent to Fatehgarh Central Jail in Uttar Pradesh—a prison that had gained infamy among revolutionaries for its brutal conditions. Often grimly referred to as the “Andamans of the United Provinces”, the jail was notorious for its remoteness and the harsh, punitive treatment meted out to political prisoners. Located far from urban centers and the reach of the press, it remained largely beyond public scrutiny. Within its cold, silent walls, freedom fighters were treated no better than common criminals.
The jailer, Ganda Singh, was infamous for his rigid, often discriminatory approach toward political detainees, deepening the oppressive environment. When Manmath Nath Gupta, a fellow revolutionary linked to the Kakori conspiracy, was transferred to Fatehgarh, he was both surprised and heartened to discover Manindranath already incarcerated there. Amidst the gloom of prison life, a strong camaraderie blossomed between them—bonded by shared ideals, past struggles, and an unyielding devotion to the nation’s cause.
Inhumane treatment and protest
The arrival of Colonel Holroyd as superintendent marked a new low in the already oppressive atmosphere of Fatehgarh Jail. A British officer with a medical background, Holroyd introduced a series of harsh measures targeting political prisoners. Under the pretext that non-laboring inmates did not require animal protein, he discontinued their meat diet. Further intensifying the repression, he banned legal correspondence, suspended family interviews, and cut off access to newspapers and books—severing the prisoners’ last links with the outside world.
Faced with such calculated isolation and deprivation, the political prisoners chose the only weapon left to them: peaceful resistance. Despite being completely cut off from external allies or public sympathy, they resolved to launch a hunger strike—a silent yet powerful protest. Unlike the mass mobilizations led by figures such as Gandhi, this hunger strike remained in the shadows, unknown to the public, and unheralded by the press. It was a solitary stand, waged behind prison walls, fueled not by recognition but by conviction and courage.
The strike and Manindranath's decline
The hunger strike soon began to take a heavy toll. After twenty days of sustained fasting, the rapidly declining health of the strikers forced the Inspector General of Prisons, Colonel Palmer, to step in. A temporary resolution was reached—the authorities agreed to exempt political prisoners from forced labour, and in response, the strikers ended their fast. Their basic rights—letters, interviews, and newspapers—were reinstated, offering a brief reprieve.
Yet, the suffering of the C-class political prisoners continued unabated. Moved by their condition, Banerjee and fellow B-class detainees, including Manmath Nath Gupta, began extending silent support—sharing their food, news, and moral encouragement. The fragile peace was shattered when Chandrama Singh, a young C-class prisoner, was allegedly assaulted by a newly appointed Anglo-Indian jailer, C.S. Ledlie, for refusing to provide fingerprints. In a courageous act of defiance, Chandrama launched a hunger strike of his own, prompting the B-class inmates to call for a second general strike in solidarity.
By this time, Manindranath Banerjee was already physically frail. Unlike others who were scattered across the prison to break morale, he was allowed to remain in the barrack. The jail authorities, alarmed by the renewed resistance, resorted to threats, coercion, and plans for corporal punishment, especially targeting younger inmates. Under this intense psychological and physical pressure, Chandrama Singh broke his fast on the eighth day. Soon after, grim news spread—Manindranath Banerjee’s health had entered a critical stage.
Declining health
Following the hunger strike of May 1934, Manindranath Banerjee’s health began to steadily decline. Though he ended his fast, the damage had already been done. He was diagnosed with Albuminuria, a grave indicator of kidney failure, and soon began suffering from cardiac weakness. On 15 June 1934, after bouts of vomiting, diarrhoea, and severe swelling in his limbs, he was moved to the jail hospital. That night, his condition took a dire turn—acute insomnia set in, his breathing became labored, and he could only breathe while sitting upright. For temporary relief, he was placed in an adjustable chair, but the suffering continued unabated.
Manindranath had shared his barrack for over three years with fellow revolutionary Manmath Nath Gupta. In those years, they had cultivated not just a garden, but a profound bond of friendship—nurturing intellect, emotion, and shared resolve. On the morning of 20 June 1934, sensing the end was near, the jail authorities allowed Gupta and Yashpal to visit their ailing comrade. When they reached, they found Manindra lying face-down on pillows, barely conscious, groaning in pain. His left eye was blind, and the right could see only a blur. Despite injections and the arrival of Civil Surgeon Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, his condition continued to deteriorate.
Gupta and Yashpal stayed beside him, offering what comfort they could—massaging his chest, giving him sips of water, and whispering words of solace. He was administered strong sedatives and later oxygen, but by then, his organs had begun to shut down. His urine output had fallen to nearly nothing, a grim sign of impending death. Yet, even in that agonizing state, Banerjee's mind remained sharp and fearless. He spoke fluently in Bengali and English, fully aware of his fate. In one of his final, searing declarations, he told Gupta:
"I am not afraid to die... what I regret is I am dying of disease and not like a martyr."
His words cut deep—not with despair, but with the yearning of a patriot who had prepared for sacrifice in battle, not in bed.
Within the prison, his fellow inmates were outraged at the neglect that hastened his decline. The authorities had failed to provide the medical attention or dietary care a critical patient required. Even as symptoms mounted, no special regimen was administered. His blood pressure was tested only four days before his death, and was found to be an alarming 200. Fearing a lack of urgency in the official channels, Gupta attempted to send telegrams to Banerjee’s family in Varanasi, Meerut, and Allahabad, hoping to ensure they were informed in time—though the end was now heartbreakingly close.
Final days
On 20 June 1934, just as hope briefly flickered with signs of improvement, Manindranath Banerjee’s condition worsened once more. Sleep eluded him, his breathing grew strained, and he began to groan incessantly in pain. Through the final agonizing hours, Gupta and Yashpal remained by his side, taking turns to nurse him—massaging his limbs to ease the numbness, and comforting him with soft, familiar voices. In a moment of haunting vulnerability, Manindra began crying out repeatedly, his voice trembling with anguish:
“Ma, Ma, Ma...”
As the clock neared 4 p.m., he was administered a strong red-labelled medicine, but even swallowing a few drops proved difficult. Then, at exactly 4:15 p.m., as Gupta cradled him, Manindra’s head slumped lifelessly onto his lap. A final injection of pituitrin was given, but it was in vain. The attending doctor uttered the final words:
“All is over. Now there is nothing.”
The news of Manindranath Banerjee’s death sent a profound wave of grief through the prison. Even ordinary prisoners, hardened by years of suffering, mourned his passing. Among his fellow inmates, he was fondly known as “Sudama”—the innocent, pure-hearted one. Ramesh Chandra Gupta compared him to Yudhishthira, the righteous king, while another comrade, Randhir, confessed, “I thought my heart would stop beating.” Manindra had often declared, with quiet resolve, that he would leave Fatehgarh only in death—and so he did.
His mortal remains were handed over to the family, but no public funeral was permitted. Prabhash Banerjee, his brother, performed the cremation quietly, aided by prison warders—reportedly under pressure from the authorities to suppress any political demonstration. His ashes were taken to Pandeghat, in his native Varanasi, where the ancient steps of the Ganga bore silent witness to the subdued farewell of a young man who had once longed to die a revolutionary’s death—and, though not by the bullet or gallows, did indeed fall in the service of freedom.
Legacy
The martyrdom of Manindranath Banerjee during a hunger strike in Fatehgarh Jail on 20 June 1934 remains a poignant chapter in the history of political prisoners under British rule. His protest—rooted in a demand for basic rights and humane treatment of incarcerated revolutionaries—took place during a period when armed revolutionary activity had begun to wane, following the executions in the Kakori conspiracy (1927) and the loss of iconic figures like Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh (1931). Yet, in those years of decline, Banerjee’s unflinching stand helped to sustain the flickering flame of resistance, especially in Banaras, where his early revolutionary journey had taken shape.
Historians and political writers have often drawn connections between Banerjee’s role and the ideological legacy of the Banaras Conspiracy Case (1914–15)—a plot aimed at sparking mutiny within British cantonments, involving luminaries like Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Rajendra Lahiri. Though Manindranath was not directly involved in that conspiracy, his later activism was widely seen as a spiritual and ideological continuation of that revolutionary lineage.
For decades, however, Banaras offered no formal memorial to honor Banerjee or his fellow revolutionaries. Most of their ancestral homes have vanished, and the memory of their sacrifices often faded from public discourse. Commentators have lamented this silence, viewing it as part of a larger national amnesia regarding many regional heroes of the freedom struggle.
In more recent years, there has been a quiet resurgence of remembrance. A bust and memorial have been installed at Fatehgarh Jail, where Manindranath breathed his last. His family members, including Advocate Uttam Kumar Banerjee, have kept the memory alive by observing his death anniversary at the site. Elsewhere in northern India, particularly among Bengali-speaking communities in Khanpur village, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, small but heartfelt commemorations continue to honor his legacy.
Today, Manindranath Banerjee’s sacrifice is increasingly recognized as a powerful example of non-violent resistance, forged within the brutal confines of colonial incarceration. His final act—an unheralded hunger strike—stands as a lasting testament to the grit, idealism, and suffering endured by India’s political prisoners, and to the unbreakable spirit of a generation that dreamed of freedom even from behind prison walls.
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Bibliography
- They lived dangerously, by Manmathnath Gupta;
- Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, History of the Freedom Movement in India, III, Calcutta 1963;
- Roll of Honour by Kalicharan Ghosh, Calcutta 1960;
- Abishmaraniya by Ganganarayan Chandra
- Jagaran O Bisphoran by Kalicharan Ghosh, Calcutta 1962;
- History of Indian revolutionary movement by Manmathnath Gupta, 1972;
Salute to Martys of Indian freedom struggle
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