A stirring account of the freedom struggle of India and its valiant soldiers, with a special focus on 38 revolutionaries starting with Chapekar brothers of Pune. Indias freedom struggle of less than a century has two main trends, one the constitutional approach, generally associated with the Congress. It believed in non-violence as a technique. The other stream consisted of revolutionaries, many of whom were outwardly Congressmen also. The outstanding example was Surya Sen (Masterda) who was at the same time the president of his District Congress Committee. Actually, he was the leader of the most well known revolutionary action at Chittagong. Just because the Congress and the Congressmen have received more than their due share of publicity, it is necessary to do justice to others who have contributed no less, probably much more, to our freedom struggle. Their actions can come under two categories, organized (actual or contemplated) and isolated actions of dedication and daring which inspired the youth of the nation who had become somewhat dormant. I have started with the earliest of them, the Chapekar Brothers of Pune. Going chronologically, I have covered 38 such episodes. Some of them are better known and some less. Some are almost unknown. But each was inspired by the same ideal of patriotism for which they suffered and sacrificed everything. The last act of heroism came with the naval uprising in Bombay in 1946. That was the last nail in the coffin of a dying Imperialism in India. Today we enjoy our independence. May it live long and be shared by all. That will be the best way of repaying our debt to these intiepid soldiers of freedom.

Table of Contents:
• Foreword • List of Plates • Introduction 1. Hat Trick in Hanging 2. Martyrdom of a ‘God’ 3. The Flag of Independence Flutters 4. The Target Missed 5. All Within the Jail 6. To Barrah by Boat 7. In Lion’s Own Den 8. ‘Justice’ Done to Jackson 9. Leap to Liberty 10. Wanchi Assassinates Ashe 11. Treacherous Trick 12. Bomb Hurled on Hardinge 13. The Mystery of the missing Mausers 14. Blood Bath at Budge Budge 15. What is There in a Name 16. Battle of Balasore 17. From Escape to Encounter 18. Alluri Sitaram Raju: From a recluse to a Revolutionary 19. Dacoity with a Difference 20. Martyr with a Message 21. Jatin Das-The Indian MsSwiney 22. ‘Sun’ Rises in the East 23. Dauntless Dozen Laid Down Lives 24. The Gang of Four 25. Midnight Drama 26. ‘Three Musketeers’ Three Martyrs 27. Teenage Revolutionaries 28. The Allahabad Encounter 29. Record in Collector Killings 30. The Second and Third in the Series 31. Like Father Like Son 32. Martyrdom of a Maiden 33. Girl and Governor 34. Traitor Becomes the Target 35. On the Himalayan Heights 36. Jallianwala Bagh Avenget 37. Fearless Fighter for Freedom 38. Five Days that Shook the Raj