Roshan Singh was an Indian revolutionary who was previously sentenced in the Bareilly shooting case during Non Cooperation Movement of 1921-22. After release from Bareilly central jail, he joined the Hindustan Republican Association in 1924. Although he had not taken part in the Kakori conspiracy, yet he was arrested and confined to capital punishment of death sentence by the then British Government.
Background
Roshan Singh was born to Kaushalya Devi and Jangi Singh on 22 Jan 1892 in a Thakur family of Navada village. He was a sharp shooter and good wrestler. When the U.P. Government imposed a ban on Indian National Congress Volunteer Corps in November 1921, it was decided to oppose the decision of government from all corners of the country. Thakur Roshan Singh leaded the troop of aggressive volunteers sent from Shahjahanpur district to the Bareilly region. Police opened a fire to stop the procession and Roshan Singh was arrested along with other protesters. A case was filed and he was sent for two years' rigorous imprisonment in the Central Jail of Bareilly.
Achievements
Since he hailed from Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, a region famous for its rough language, he stayed in the jail and prompted the Jailer to behave rudely with him, saying people like him deserved such harsh treatment. It was too much for him, so he decided to take revenge against the inhuman behavior of the British Government. As soon as he was released from Bareilly jail, he went straight to Shahjahanpur and met Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil in the premises of the Arya Samaj. Bismil was already in search of some sharp shooters for his revolutionary party. He immediately enrolled Thakur Roshan Singh in his newly established organisation and allocated him the task of teaching shooting to the youngsters enrolling into the party.
On 25 December 1924, (in the night of Christmas Day) a house of Baldeo Prasad was attacked in the night by the Action-Men of HRA in the leadership of Thakur Roshan Singh. Baldeo was a money lender and sugar king. They could get Rupees 4000 and good stock of adornments. Mohan Lal - a wrestler of the village - challenged the persons and opened a fire. Thakur Roshan Singh, who was a sharp shooter, killed him in a single shot and grabbed his rifle.
Although Thakur Roshan Singh had not participated in Kakori train robbery even then he was caught, tried and condemned to death for the murder of Mohan Lal. When the judgement was delivered and Judge announced five years punishment under section 121(A) and 120(B) of I.P.C., Roshan Singh could understand the English words "five years". He was going to abuse the judge for not punishing him up to the standard of Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, in the meantime Vishnu Sharan Dublish whispered in his ear-" Thakur Sahib! You have also been punished in the same grade as Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil." Hearing these words from Dublish Thakur Roshan Singh sprang up from his chair, embraced Ram Prasad Bismil and joyfully said- "Oye Pandit! Did you like to go alone to the gallows? But this Thakur is not going to spare you any way. He will accompany you too."
