Swadhinata Juddhe Achena Lalbazar by Supratim Sarkar [Hardcover]

The early decades of the twentieth century marked Bengal’s Agniyug—the era of revolutionary fire. It was a time when the Partition of Bengal acted as a catalyst for the rise of armed struggle for independence, when multiple revolutionary organizations sought to counter British repression with violent retaliation. It was an era when Lalbazar, the power center of British administration in Bengal, was resolute in its mission to crush the patriotic zeal of revolutionaries. Under the leadership of Charles Tegart, Kolkata Police unleashed its full might in arresting, torturing, and sentencing young Bengali revolutionaries committed to armed resistance.

This book, penned by experienced IPS officer Supratim Sarkar, delves into the archives of Kolkata Police, unearthing the untold stories of this unknown Lalbazar. It brings to light the fearless sacrifices of unsung, forgotten revolutionaries who faced death without fear.

From the audacious Rodda Arms Heist to the plot of assassinating a ruthless magistrate with book-bombs, from a young woman’s daring attempt to shoot the Viceroy inside Senate Hall to the chilling vengeance taken on a traitorous comrade within prison walls—this book recounts them all. It also meticulously chronicles the historic Writers’ Building attack led by Binoy, Badal, and Dinesh.

At its core, this book is a tribute to those who laid down their lives—those nameless souls who became part of the collective sacrifice, those who ascended the gallows singing victory hymns of life. But this is no ordinary historical account weighed down by dry facts, nor is it an overly sentimental narration. With gripping prose and a thrilling narrative style, this book reimagines history in the form of an electrifying, immersive experience.