Last Updated on 23 January 2026 IST | Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti (Birth Anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai): Every year, India observes 28th January as the birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai. This day highlights the immense struggles and contribution of Lala Lajpat Rai in the Indian Independence. This day is observed to express the gratitude of the nation towards Lala Lajpat Rai for his pivotal role among Indian freedom fighters in the struggle for Indian Independence. Gratitude for his role in the struggle of Indian Independence. Read the entire article to know about Lala Lajpat Rai biography in detail.

Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti (Birth Anniversary) | Highlights

• The day of 28th January is observed as the birth anniversary of Lala Lajpat Rai. 
• Lala Lajpat Rai, one of the most renowned Indian Freedom Fighters, is known for his struggle for Indian Independence . 
• He is known as Punjab Da Sher (“Lion of Punjab”) or Punjab Kesari, celebrated for his Punjab Kesari contributions to the freedom movement.
• Punjab Da Sher initiated many social reforms and foundations for the betterment of the nation.
• He was also well known for his literary works. Many of his literary works are famous.
• Lala Lajpat Rai took his last breath on 17th November 1928 after he faced the atrocities of the British government in his non violent protest against the Simon Commission.
• The real freedom is still unheard of, which is the independence of the soul to make this human birth a success.

Who Was Lala Lajpat Rai?

Lala Lajpat Rai was one of the renowned freedom fighters. He made immense Punjab Kesari  contributions in the struggle for Indian Independence. 

• Lajpat Rai was born on 28th January 1865 in a small village named Dhudike in Punjab Province, British India (present-day Moga district, Punjab, India).
• His father Munshi Radha Krishan Agrawal was an Urdu and Persian government teacher.
• His mother was Gulab Devi. 
• He studied law at Government College, Lahore and practiced at Lahore and Hisar.
• He Started law practice in Hisar in 1886, then moved to Lahore in 1892 to practice at the High Court.
• Because of his birth in Punjab and his great struggle for the freedom of the nation, he was known as Punjab Kesari or Punjab Da Sher ‘Lion of Punjab’.

Lala Lajpat Rai: Early Life and Education

Lala Lajpat Rai was born into an Agrawal Jain family. His father, Radha Krishan, was a scholar and a teacher, while his mother, Gulab Devi, was a devout woman who instilled in Lajpat the values of compassion and kindness. Lajpat’s initial education took place at Government Higher Secondary School, Rewari (where father was posted), with exposure to Sanskrit, Persian, and later Western ideas.

In 1880, Lajpat joined the Government College in Lahore, where he connected with future freedom fighters like Lala Hans Raj and Pandit Guru Datta, and was influenced by Arya Samaj. This exposure had a profound impact on his worldview, and he soon became involved in the Indian nationalist movement.

Lala Lajpat Rai: Entry into Politics

Lala Lajpat Rai’s entry into politics was marked by his involvement in the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1886 (founded Hisar branch of INC and Arya Samaj). He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a key figure in the party’s Punjab branch. Lajpat’s oratory skills, combined with his passion for Indian independence, made him a popular figure among the masses.

In 1907, Lajpat was arrested without trial in May 1907 for alleged subversion and deported to Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar). Later, he was released in November 1907 due to lack of evidence. This experience only strengthened his resolve to fight for Indian independence.

Lala Lajpat Rai’s Contribution to the Indian Independence Movement

Lala Lajpat Rai’s contributions to the Indian independence movement were multifaceted. He led the Non-Cooperation Movement in Punjab after returning from the US in 1920. He was imprisoned from 1921-1923 for related activities. Lajpat traveled extensively throughout India, mobilizing support for the movement and encouraging Indians to boycott British goods and institutions.

Lajpat led a peaceful protest against the Simon Commission in Lahore on October 30, 1928, which were sparked by the British government’s decision to send a commission to India to report on the country’s constitutional reforms. The protests turned violent, and Lajpat was severely beaten by the police. He succumbed to his injuries on November 17, 1928.

Interesting Facts About Lala Lajpat Rai on Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti 

Lala Lajpat Rai is fondly known for his triumvirate ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’. The other two being Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal. 

• At the age of 16, he joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and participated in various political agitations.
• In 1907, as a result of his agitations, he was deported to Burma without trial. But he was sent back within months because of the lack of evidence. 
• In October 1917, he founded the Home Rule League of America in New York. Through these international movements he tried to gather international support for the independence of the nation. 
• He believed in Purna Swaraj, which is the complete independence of the nation. 
• He was a member of Hindu Mahasabha as well. He also opposed the partition of Bengal. 
• Lala Lajpat Rai chaired the first national conference of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in Bombay on October 31, 1920, becoming its first president and marking the beginning of India’s organized labor movement, alongside other leaders like Joseph Baptista and N.M. Joshi. 
• In September 1920, he was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress at the Special Session in Calcutta (Kolkata)
• In 1920, at the Nagpur session of Congress, he was in support of the Non Cooperation Movement led by Gandhi Ji.
• He stood against the Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
• He was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly in 1923 after release from prison (1921-1923); served as Deputy Leader in 1926.
• In 1928, a resolution was released by him in the assembly regarding non cooperation with the members of the Simon Commission because there were no Indian members in it.

Literary Contributions of Lala Lajpat Rai

Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti: Lala Lajpat Rai was known for his writings as well. His most famous literary works include England Debt to India (1917), Unhappy India (1928), The Story of My Deportation (1908), Evolution of Japan and Other Papers, India’s Will to Freedom,Message of the Bhagavad Gita, Political Future of India, Problem of National Education in India, Political Future of India, The Depressed Classes (1928, on caste issues) and the Travelogue ‘United States of America’.

• He launched a monthly journal called Young India in 1916 (banned by the British) and founded the Hindustan Information Services Association. 
• Rai also wrote a 32 page memorandum to the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs in 1917 (later discussed in the Senate) regarding the atrocities Indian people were facing under British rule. And also urged for International support for the same to bring some improvements. 
• Established the Gulab Devi Tuberculosis Hospital (now Chest Hospital) in 1927 in Lahore; also founded R.K. Trust in 1926 for education in father’s memory. His mother, Shrimati Gulab Devi, died of the same disease. The hospital was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on July 17, 1934, becoming a major South Asian hospital for underprivileged patients. 
• His contributions include works in various newspapers and magazines in Hindi, Punjabi, English and Urdu. 

Social Reforms and Founding Works of Lala Lajpat Rai

• Lala Lajpat Rai laid the foundation of the National College at Bradlaugh, Lahore. In this National College, he enrolled Bhagat Singh as Student. 

• He also laid the foundation stone of many organizations like The Hisar Bar Council, Hisar Arya Samaj, Hisar Congress, National DAV Managing committee.
• He also founded Arya Gazette and worked as its editor. 
• In 1894, Lala Lajpat Rai founded Punjab National Bank and Lakshmi Insurance Company.
• When he was practicing law, he also founded Dayanand Anglo Vedic School (DAV). 
• In 1897, he founded Hindu Relief Movement to give aid to the famine struck. 
• In 1921, Lala Lajpat Rai also founded Servants of People Society.

Death of Lala Lajpat Rai

In 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai was brutally Baton charged (Lathi charged) by Superintendent of Police James Scott while protesting against the Simon Commission in Lahore. He addressed the crowd post-assault: “I declare that the blows struck at me today will be the last nails in the coffin of British rule in India.” Then, after sustaining it for a few weeks, Lal Lajpat Rai died because of injuries on 17th November 1928. 

Lala Lajpat Rai Jayanti Quotes

• Real freedom can only be attained in the refuge of Supreme God Kabir Ji
• “The government which attacks its own innocent subjects has no claim to be called a civilized government. Bear in mind, such a government does not survive long.” – Lala Lajpat Rai
• “Defeat and failure are sometimes necessary steps of victory.” – Lala Lajpat Rai
• “The shots that hit me are the last nails to the coffin of British rule in India.” – Lala Lajpat Rai
• “Milk for babies, food for adults, and education for all. This is real freedom” – Lala Lajpat Rai
• To understand the meaning of independence of a soul, one needs to understand the true spiritual knowledge as given by Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj.
• The biggest struggle for independence is the struggle for the liberation of the soul from this cage of Satan (Kaal Brahm).

What is Real Independence?

Amongst all this knowledge, real independence still stands unheard. Each and every one of us understands the importance of independence. And so we shall be able to understand the independence of our soul as well. Our soul is entrapped in the cycle of birth and death by Satan (Kaal Brahm). Because of that we are experiencing the hardships of being rotated in the cycle of 84 lakh species. Attaining freedom from this cycle of birth and death is the real freedom for each and every soul present here.

How to Attain Real Independence?

This freedom can only be attained by doing true worship of Supreme God Kabir. Presently Supreme God Kabir is present in the form of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj on the holy land of Haryana, India to present the method of true worship for all His pious souls. Our duty is to take full advantage of this opportunity because being a human and attaining God is obtained once after experiencing the hardships of 8.4 million species.

FAQS about Lala Lajpat Rai Birth Anniversary

Connect With Us on the Following Social Media Platforms