About two or three years ago, I read on the internet about a library in Jhelum city named after Lala Lajpat Rai. But no picture or details were given. So when I reached there on August 14, 2019, I was not sure what to find, but was very happy to see the beautiful building of the library. Fortunately, it had been repaired recently and was in very good condition. The library is located at 32°55'47.80"N, 73°43'55.42"E.
However, my high spirits were dampened temporarily when I found the library gate locked due to an official holiday for Independence Day. I was looking around to find someone to help me, or some way to sneak into the compound, when a boy nearby told me of a man who had the keys. Luckily, within a few minutes, I found the person, whose name, unfortunately, I have forgotten, and he was kind enough to open the gate for me.
The compound is enclosed by an iron railing, and in front of it you can see the building painted in yellow and white. On top of the building, “Lajpat Rai Library” is written in Urdu; a little below, “Ladha Shah Hall” is written in English, both in red paint. The building has a verandah with square arches and colonnades.
This library was named Lajpat Rai Library. Lala Lajpat Rai was a political leader and member of the Indian National Congress. He was born in 1865 at Dhudike in Moga district, now in the Indian state of Punjab. He studied law at Government College, Lahore. He became involved in politics from his college days. He was also an active member of the Hindu Mahasabha and Arya Samaj. By the 1920s, he was one of the top political leaders of India.
In 1928, the British government set up a commission headed by Sir John Simon to report on the political conditions in India. Indian political parties boycotted the commission. When this commission visited Lahore on 30 October 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai led a peaceful demonstration against it. The police resorted to a baton charge to disperse the demonstrators. The Superintendent of Police, James A. Scott, personally assaulted Lajpat Rai and injured him severely. Due to these injuries, he died on 17 November 1928.
His death at the hands of the police enraged public opinion, and one young man, Bhagat Singh, along with his comrades, vowed to take revenge. They plotted to kill Scott to send a message to the British Raj. However, due to mistaken identity, another British officer, John P. Saunders, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, was killed. Subsequently, Bhagat Singh was hanged in the same case.
Lala Lajpat Rai's legacy still lives on in Lahore, where the trust he established in memory of his mother, Gulab Devi, built a tuberculosis hospital for women. This Gulab Devi Hospital is still functioning and serving humanity. Below is a picture of Lala Lajpat Rai and a picture of a plaque at Gulab Devi Hospital in Lahore.
Tariq Amir
September 9, 2019.
Doha - Qatar
I m very much pleased to read it about this library because I was a regular member and reader of this library from 1969 to 1972.At that time I was studying in government college.It was a nice library having many old and new informative and interesting books.Libraion was a polite old gentleman.I can write much more on it.I became very much delighted to read a detailed article about this.I m very much thankful to mr Tariq Amir who gave enough information about this library.0923335267152 prof Ashiq Hussain Rawalpindi
ReplyDeleteDear Sir,
DeleteThank you very much for sharing your memories with us. Regards.
I am very pleased to read about Lala Lajpat Rai library and it's history. It is a treasure for the people of Jhelum.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your appreciation.
DeleteThank you so much for this informative piece of writing. I will visit this library soon :)
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