GANDHIJI

Introduction

Gandhijis life was dedicated to the ideals of Truth, Non-violence and Love. 'The Bhagavad Gita is my mother,' he once said; and the name of Sri Rama was his shield. He was the architect of India's freedom and one of the greatest men of this century.
Author - G.V.Narayan Murti
About Gandhiji

Gandhiji

A traveler, who came from Europe to India about thirty-five years ago, was asked: What do you wish to see in India? His reply was: 'The Himalayas, The Taj Mahal and Mahatma Gandhi.'It was neither wealth nor power that made Gandhiji so famous. He became famous for certain goodquality that he possessed. He always practiced what he taught. He did not do evil to any body; and also, he did not even consider the evil doer as wicked.He wished him well; and wished all well; he wished well to everything,and at all times.He looked upon all with love,and worked all through life to put an end to hatred and to spread love. From ancient times such a man of lovehas been called a 'Mahatma 'in India.

SARDAR PATEL
Introduction

India's Man of Steel. He used to earn thousands of rupees every month as a lawyer. But he gave up his practice inorder to fight for the freedom of the country. As a leader of the farmers he forced the mighty British Government to accept defeat. He was sent to prison. As the Deputy Prime Minister of free India, he brought about the merger of hundreds of princely states with the Indian Union, and became the architect of the integrity of India. Honest in word and deed, he was a hero among heroes, a lion among men.
Author - Shivaramu

Sardar Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was known in India as the 'Man of Steel'.

BAL GANGADHAR TILAK

Introduction

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (29th Couplet) Described by British as "The Father of Indian Unrest " Tilak was born on 23.07.1856. His slogan, "Swaraj (Self Rule) is my birthright", inspired millions of Indians. His book "Geetarahasya"a classic treatise on Geeta in Marathi was written by him, in prison at Mandalay.Great journalist- editor, an authority on Vedas, Sanskrit Scholar, mathematician and a natural leader of India. Died 01.08.1920 "Swaraj is our birthright," thundered Tilak, the Lion of India.He founded schools andpublished newspapers, all for his motherland. He rotted in a distant jail at Manda lay, in Burma. he wore himself out till his last breath, to awaken his countrymen.
Author : M. S. Narasimha Murthy

"If 5 sheep eat up all the grass in a meadow in 28 days, how many sheep will eat up the grass in 20 days?" "Seven sheep, sir," flashed back the answer even before the teacher finished his question. 'Who is it that answered without working out the sum?" Thundered the teacher. Two or three voices shouted, "Bal, sir." The teacher went near Bal. He took his note book and glanced through it. Should he not at least take down the problem, let alone

work it out? "Where have you worked the sum?" Bat, with a mischievous smile, pointed to his head with his index finger. "You should work the problem in your. book," the teacher said. 'Why? I will do it orally," replied Bat. Bal's classmates found it difficult to understand certain problems even when the teacher did them thrice. But, to Bat mathematics was as easy as drinking Water. Sanskrit, of course, was like peeled banana to him!

BHAGATH SINGH Introduction He is the symbol of the heroism of the youth of India. A revolutionary He threw a bomb when the Legislature was in session to warn the British Government. He was put to death but lives in the hearts of his countrymen. Author - Eswarachandra

Bhagath Singh One evening a boy of three was out for a walk with his father. There was also an elderly man with the father. Chatting they walked on and went beyond the village. Green crop delighted the eyes. The elders were walking along the edge of a field. Not hearing the footsteps of the boy, the father looked back. The boy was sitting on the ground and seemed to be planting some thing. The father became curious. "What are you doing?" said he. "Look, father, I shall grow guns all over the field" was the innocent reply of the boy. His eyes shone with the strong faith that guns would grow in the field. Both the elders were struck with wonder at the little boy's words. The boy was Bhagat Singh who later fought like a hero for India's freedom and sacrificed his life.

BHAGAT SINGH

TATIA TOPE
Introduction

A hero of the fight for freedom in 1857. His very name made the mighty English generals tremble. Deceived by his friend, he faced death like a hero, for the sake of his country.
Author - K.Shripaty Sastry

Tatia Tope

The British troops had pitched their tents on the parade grounds near the fort of Shivpuri, 75 miles from Gwalior. The day was April 18, 1859. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon. A smiling, charming prisoner was brought out of the prison. His hands and feet were chained. Under guard he was taken to the hangman's post. He had been condemned to death. The prisoner stepped towards the post fearlessly. There was no hesitation as he stepped upon the platform. It was the custom to cover the eyes of the condemned man with a scarf. When soldiers stepped forward with the scarf, he smiled and made signs to say, 'I don't need all this.' Nor did he allow the hands and feet to be bound. He himself put the noose around his neck. The rope was tightened. Then, at last, there was a pull.... In a moment it was all over. It was a heart-rending scene, which moved the whole country to tears. The man who was hanging lifeless on the gallows of the

English was no criminal. He was not a thief, he was no cutthroat. He was the Supreme commander in the War of Indian Independence,which, in 1857, had challenged the hold of the British over India. It was he who, more than anybody else, shook the mighty British Empire to its foundations. Holding aloft the flag of freedom, he sought to break the chains of slavery and fought the military might of the English heroically. His name was Tatia Tope, a household word for bravery.

ASHFAQULLA KHAN Introduction The Pathan patriot who kissed the hangman's noose with the name of Allah on his lips. A youth endowed with a body of iron and a will of steel, he dedicated everything to the service of India and of freedom and challenged the cunning and the strength of an empire.
Author - N.P.Shankaranarayana Rao

Ashfaqulla Khan

It was December 19, 1927. The winter sun rose late. His golden rays brought warmth and joy to people shivering in the biting cold. At sunrise that day, in the District Jail at

Faizabad, officials were getting ready to put an end to the life of a man. He was a revolutionary. Officials, both high and low, were busy. The Chief Jailer inspected the rope, the sandbags and other things necessary carefully. He was fully satisfied with the arrangements; then he called out to his subordinate, "Bring the convict here." The official went with ten soldiers. The door of the cell of the man who was to die opened, with a loud harsh sound. That was the last time the door opened for this man. The brave patriot was waiting for this call; he asked cheerfully, "Is everything ready?"