Famous Personalities of Shahjahanpur

The district headquarters Shahjahanpur has given many notable personalities to the nation. The city has given numerous freedom fighters, noted political leaders and also film personalities like actor Rajpal Yadav and writer Shekhar Ramesh Mishra. Naik Jadu Nath Singh a brave Indian Army solider was born in Shahjahanpur in 1916, fought the 1947 Indo-Pakistan war and died in the battle; he was awarded Param Vir Chakra for his bravery.

Freedom Fighters from Shahjahanpur

Ram Prasad Bismil a renowned freedom fighter and poet was from Shahjahanpur, he was born in 1897 and was known for his participation in Freedom Movement against the British East India Company especially in 1918 Mainpuri conspiracy and 1925 Kakori conspiracy. In the field of arts Ram Prasad Bismil had written many Hindi and Urdu poem to invoke patriotism in the society.

The poems were written by many pen names: “Bismil”, “Ram” and “Agyat”, but the pen name “Bismil” made him famous. He also translated “Catherine” and “Bolshevikon Ki Kartoot”. His role in the field of arts was much acclaimed by Bhagat Singh. The prominent work of Ram Prasad Bismil are “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna”, “Deshvasiyon ke nam sandesh”, “Yogik Sadhan”, “Man Ki Lahar” and “Swadeshi Rang”. He is also one of the initiators of Hindustan Republic Association and was closely linked with Arya Samaj.

Ram Prasad Bismil was hanged to death for acting against the British Raj in 1927. A memorial for Ram Prasad Bismil was raised in Shahjahanpur and it was named “Amar Shaheed Ram Prasad Bismil Smarak”. A railway station was also named “Pt. Ram Prasad Bismil Railway Station”; it was constructed by the Northern Railway Zone at a distance of 11 km away from the city. A white marble statue of the freedom fighter was also erected in the city and in 1997 Indian Government has released a multi-colour postal stamp to commemorate his contribution in the Indian Freedom Struggle.

Ashfaqulla Khan was a freedom fighter and a poet with a pen name “Hasrat”, he was born in 1900 in Shahjahanpur, and he was a close acquaintance of Ram Prasad Bismil. Both these friends were hanged to death for acting against the British on December 19, 1927 at the same time but in different jails. Ashfaq participated in 1925 Kakori train robbery.

Roshan Singh was yet another freedom fighter, wrestler and shooter born in Shahjahanpur in 1892. He participated in Bareilly shooting case and was sent to jail in 1921 for his role in Non-cooperation Movement against British. He was released from Bareilly shooting case in 1922. In 1924 he joined in Hindustan Republic Association and was closely associated with Arya Samaj. Roshan Singh was hanged to death by the British Raj in 1927 for his role in Kakori conspiracy even though Roshan Singh didn’t participate in the conspiracy.

Prem Krishna Khanna was one of the spirited players in Hindustan Republic Association and also a close acquaintance of Ram Prasad Bismil. He owned a licensed Mauser pistol which was mostly used by Ram Prasad Bismil. At the time of Kakori conspiracy, Prem Krishna’s pistol was used by Ram Prasad Bismil for which he was sentenced 5 years imprisonment by the British Raj. Upon release he actively participated in Indian Freedom Movement. After Independence, he was elected to the Parliament in 1962-67 from Shahjahanpur constituency.

Politicians from Shahjahanpur

Jitendra Prasad was born in 1938 in Shahjahanpur and he was one of the active politicians under the Indian National Congress. From Shahjahanpur constituency he was elected four times to Lok Sabha and in 1994-99 he was elected as a member of Rajya Sabha. During his political career he was also posted as the vice president of Indian National Congress in 1997.

Jitin Prasada, son of Jitendra Prasad, was born in Shahjahanpur in 1973. He was posted as the Minister of State and Steel in 2008-09, Minister of State, Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2009-11 and Minister of State, Road Transport and highways in 2011-12.