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Why I Am an Atheist and Other Works
Bhagat Singh is a name that became synonymous with revolution in India’s struggle for Independence. This young boy brought about a change in the way people thought about freedom. He was well read and fought extensively for rights – his own, his comrades’ and his countrymen’s.
A discussion with a friend soon turned into a matter of self-assessment for Bhagat Singh, leading to a discourse on why he chose to be an atheist. Even in the face of death at a very young age, his uncanny observation leads to his putting forth some pertinent questions. On another occasion, he was disappointed with his father’s plea in court for his innocence and chose to write a letter to him.
This book is a collection of eighteen of his valued writings from within the walls of prison and outside it, which show us the resolve in his words, and the bravery in his acts subsequently.
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 3hrs.
©2020 Srishti Publishers (P)2020 Audible, Inc.
A discussion with a friend soon turned into a matter of self-assessment for Bhagat Singh, leading to a discourse on why he chose to be an atheist. Even in the face of death at a very young age, his uncanny observation leads to his putting forth some pertinent questions. On another occasion, he was disappointed with his father’s plea in court for his innocence and chose to write a letter to him.
This book is a collection of eighteen of his valued writings from within the walls of prison and outside it, which show us the resolve in his words, and the bravery in his acts subsequently.
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 3hrs.
©2020 Srishti Publishers (P)2020 Audible, Inc.
Audible Audio
First published November 11, 2019
About the author
Bhagat Singh
82 books375 followersBhagat Singh was an Indian socialist considered to be one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement. He is often referred to as "Shaheed Bhagat Singh", the word "Shaheed" meaning "martyr" in a number of South Asian and Middle Eastern languages. Born into a Sikh family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj, as a teenager Singh studied European revolutionary movements and was attracted to anarchist and Marxist ideologies. He became involved in numerous revolutionary organisations, and quickly rose through the ranks of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) to become one of its main leaders, eventually changing its name to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
December 19, 2024
Revolutionary Socialism’s Morality and Spirituality?…
Preamble:
--This review follows up on my review of the biography Without Fear: The Life & Trial of Bhagat Singh, which provides broader context of the Indian revolutionary executed at age 23.
--Singh’s brief essays collected here seem to be only a sliver of what he produced even given his short life in the middle of the storm, as the biography mentions he wrote 4 books in prison where the manuscripts were lost.
…For such a short work, it opens up plenty of dormant thoughts…
1) Personal Religion?:
--As Singh starts with a personal account of his upraising with religion, I will provide some personal context as well:
…I was born in Beijing, China, and do not remember learning about a conception of “God”/“religion” until I immigrated to the West to start primary school. Then again, I don’t remember much of anything early on as my memories are a blur from too much moving. Perhaps I was vaguely aware of spirituality (maybe in the context of respecting ancestors?); more prominent would be the teaching of public service/revolutionary spirit (a tangible example being the schoolbooks I kept).
…I remember learning about “God”/“religion” when starting primary school in the West, being impressed that day with the logic (“well, who created everything? There must be a creator to start everything”) and telling my dad. His unimpressed expression is more memorable than his actual reply (probably something like: “you should think about this some more”). I guess this was the extent of institutional religion for me, in contrast to Singh’s context:
2) Personal Politics?:
--My dad’s unimpressed expression and reply would return over a decade later, when I told him about the first “economics” book I was reading for personal interest (by free market fundamentalist Mises), listing the author’s claims of why free market capitalism is ideal. By abstracting away deeper structures and critical history (which Western primary education was already sparse on), Mises would target existing biases in Western state capitalist/imperialist world views.
...I remember reciting to my dad how free market capitalism hinders wars because both countries are freely trading with each other (i.e. the civilized ones), thus mutually dependent; imagine telling this to someone brought up in the context of China and its “Century of Humiliation” from Western/Japanese imperialism cloaked under free trade/civilizing mission (Opium Wars/Unequal Treaties/colonization/invasions):
-Ghosh’s trilogy of novels features vivid passages: Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke, and Flood of Fire
-Late Victorian Holocausts: El Niño Famines and the Making of the Third World
--This vulgar “economics” was paired with my initial explorations of “politics” which led me to the “New Atheists”; yet another teenage boy hypnotized by edgy takes, reveling in a plethora of Hitchslaps, picking the lowest hanging fruit of “debunking” mass religion. This eventually eroded thanks to the clash between:
(i) New Atheist Sam Harris’s devotion to deciphering ancient texts in order to translate into US's “War on Terror” foreign policy, vs.
(ii) Critical history of imperialism I was learning (starting with Chomsky's Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance).
...I never properly closed this chapter as I wasn’t writing reviews back then (Hedges’ I Don't Believe in Atheists was the last book in this debate that I bothered with).
--It’s crucial to note I was privileged to come from an immigrant context, which is a fascinating contradiction between:
i) Individualist escapism (in my case, with higher education and not refugees), acceptance of Western assimilation, while
ii) Still recognizing the reach of Western imperialism back “home”.
…While September 11 (2001 in the US… not 1973 in Chile, backed by the US) burst my Western bubble, I was equally as shocked by the reaction from the immigrant context, i.e. wait until you hear the violence Western imperialism imposes daily.
…For intros on US imperialism:
-Washington Bullets: A History of the CIA, Coups, and Assassinations
-The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program that Shaped Our World
-American Exceptionalism and American Innocence: A People's History of Fake News―From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror
3) Socialism and Institutional Religion?:
--Since escaping the reactionary red-pilling of ignorant default-liberals, I’ve been focusing on deciphering the underlying structures of real-world capitalism/imperialism and finding structural alternatives to fulfil social needs (“socialism”).
--I’ve kept some distance debating “religion” in the abstract. Maybe due to my upraising as an atheist/agnostic, I do not see much distinction in substance between religion and philosophy, esp. on the personal level, although I would use “spirituality” to describe the personal experience, whereas religion and philosophy are systematized institutions with societal consequences.
--Given how contradictory the real-world is:
i) I’m not particularly bothered by scientists who are (personally) religious (ex. Stephen Jay Gould, a natural scientist who does not bypass critical social sciences: The Mismeasure of Man) [Correction: Gould is not personally religious, but proposed “science” and “religion” can co-exist because they occupy different domains, i.e. “Non-overlapping magisteria”]
ii) I can support religious struggles for social needs (ex. Liberation Theology, the heretic movements described in Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation, etc.)
--However, there are some strong critiques of institutional religion to synthesize:
i) Contrasting the animism (spiritual relationship with the natural world) of many pre-capitalist societies (from pagans to Native Americans) vs. capitalism (Enclosures, colonialism) weaponizing institutional religion to enforce dualism/dominion (objectifying the material world, so land/labour can be commodified and exploited; thus, land/labour markets are unique capitalist markets featuring “fictitious commodities”, i.e. nature/humans are not actually produced in factories for buying/selling in markets).
…This is introduced in Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World, which references Caliban and the Witch. Naturally, I find attempts to synthesize animist spirituality with the scientific method compelling:
-The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
-Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
ii) Institutional religion’s role manufacturing social consent for the status quo:
--Marx’s famous passage [bold emphases added]:
…See comments below for the rest of this review…
Preamble:
--This review follows up on my review of the biography Without Fear: The Life & Trial of Bhagat Singh, which provides broader context of the Indian revolutionary executed at age 23.
--Singh’s brief essays collected here seem to be only a sliver of what he produced even given his short life in the middle of the storm, as the biography mentions he wrote 4 books in prison where the manuscripts were lost.
…For such a short work, it opens up plenty of dormant thoughts…
1) Personal Religion?:
--As Singh starts with a personal account of his upraising with religion, I will provide some personal context as well:
…I was born in Beijing, China, and do not remember learning about a conception of “God”/“religion” until I immigrated to the West to start primary school. Then again, I don’t remember much of anything early on as my memories are a blur from too much moving. Perhaps I was vaguely aware of spirituality (maybe in the context of respecting ancestors?); more prominent would be the teaching of public service/revolutionary spirit (a tangible example being the schoolbooks I kept).
…I remember learning about “God”/“religion” when starting primary school in the West, being impressed that day with the logic (“well, who created everything? There must be a creator to start everything”) and telling my dad. His unimpressed expression is more memorable than his actual reply (probably something like: “you should think about this some more”). I guess this was the extent of institutional religion for me, in contrast to Singh’s context:
What I wanted to point out was that the idea of disbelief had not even germinated in the revolutionary party. […] I saw only one man amongst them, who never prayed and used to say: "Philosophy is the outcome of human weakness or limitation of knowledge." He is also undergoing a sentence of transportation for life. But he also never dared to deny the existence of God.
2) Personal Politics?:
--My dad’s unimpressed expression and reply would return over a decade later, when I told him about the first “economics” book I was reading for personal interest (by free market fundamentalist Mises), listing the author’s claims of why free market capitalism is ideal. By abstracting away deeper structures and critical history (which Western primary education was already sparse on), Mises would target existing biases in Western state capitalist/imperialist world views.
...I remember reciting to my dad how free market capitalism hinders wars because both countries are freely trading with each other (i.e. the civilized ones), thus mutually dependent; imagine telling this to someone brought up in the context of China and its “Century of Humiliation” from Western/Japanese imperialism cloaked under free trade/civilizing mission (Opium Wars/Unequal Treaties/colonization/invasions):
-Ghosh’s trilogy of novels features vivid passages: Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke, and Flood of Fire
-Late Victorian Holocausts: El Niño Famines and the Making of the Third World
--This vulgar “economics” was paired with my initial explorations of “politics” which led me to the “New Atheists”; yet another teenage boy hypnotized by edgy takes, reveling in a plethora of Hitchslaps, picking the lowest hanging fruit of “debunking” mass religion. This eventually eroded thanks to the clash between:
(i) New Atheist Sam Harris’s devotion to deciphering ancient texts in order to translate into US's “War on Terror” foreign policy, vs.
(ii) Critical history of imperialism I was learning (starting with Chomsky's Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance).
...I never properly closed this chapter as I wasn’t writing reviews back then (Hedges’ I Don't Believe in Atheists was the last book in this debate that I bothered with).
--It’s crucial to note I was privileged to come from an immigrant context, which is a fascinating contradiction between:
i) Individualist escapism (in my case, with higher education and not refugees), acceptance of Western assimilation, while
ii) Still recognizing the reach of Western imperialism back “home”.
…While September 11 (2001 in the US… not 1973 in Chile, backed by the US) burst my Western bubble, I was equally as shocked by the reaction from the immigrant context, i.e. wait until you hear the violence Western imperialism imposes daily.
…For intros on US imperialism:
-Washington Bullets: A History of the CIA, Coups, and Assassinations
-The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program that Shaped Our World
-American Exceptionalism and American Innocence: A People's History of Fake News―From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror
3) Socialism and Institutional Religion?:
--Since escaping the reactionary red-pilling of ignorant default-liberals, I’ve been focusing on deciphering the underlying structures of real-world capitalism/imperialism and finding structural alternatives to fulfil social needs (“socialism”).
--I’ve kept some distance debating “religion” in the abstract. Maybe due to my upraising as an atheist/agnostic, I do not see much distinction in substance between religion and philosophy, esp. on the personal level, although I would use “spirituality” to describe the personal experience, whereas religion and philosophy are systematized institutions with societal consequences.
--Given how contradictory the real-world is:
i) I’m not particularly bothered by scientists who are (personally) religious (ex. Stephen Jay Gould, a natural scientist who does not bypass critical social sciences: The Mismeasure of Man) [Correction: Gould is not personally religious, but proposed “science” and “religion” can co-exist because they occupy different domains, i.e. “Non-overlapping magisteria”]
ii) I can support religious struggles for social needs (ex. Liberation Theology, the heretic movements described in Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation, etc.)
--However, there are some strong critiques of institutional religion to synthesize:
i) Contrasting the animism (spiritual relationship with the natural world) of many pre-capitalist societies (from pagans to Native Americans) vs. capitalism (Enclosures, colonialism) weaponizing institutional religion to enforce dualism/dominion (objectifying the material world, so land/labour can be commodified and exploited; thus, land/labour markets are unique capitalist markets featuring “fictitious commodities”, i.e. nature/humans are not actually produced in factories for buying/selling in markets).
…This is introduced in Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World, which references Caliban and the Witch. Naturally, I find attempts to synthesize animist spirituality with the scientific method compelling:
-The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
-Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
ii) Institutional religion’s role manufacturing social consent for the status quo:
--Marx’s famous passage [bold emphases added]:
The foundation of irreligious criticism is: Man makes religion, religion does not make man. Religion is, indeed, the self-consciousness and self-esteem of man who has either not yet won through to himself, or has already lost himself again. But man is no abstract being squatting outside the world. Man is the world of man – state, society. This state and this society produce religion, which is an inverted consciousness of the world, because they are an inverted world. Religion is the general theory of this world, its encyclopaedic compendium, its logic in popular form, its spiritual point d’honneur, its enthusiasm, its moral sanction, its solemn complement, and its universal basis of consolation and justification. It is the fantastic realization of the human essence since the human essence has not acquired any true reality. The struggle against religion is, therefore, indirectly the struggle against that world whose spiritual aroma is religion.--Varoufakis’ Talking to My Daughter About the Economy: or, How Capitalism Works—and How It Fails [emphases added]:
Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people.
The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness. To call on them to give up their illusions about their condition is to call on them to give up a condition that requires illusions. The criticism of religion is, therefore, in embryo, the criticism of that vale of tears of which religion is the halo.
Bureaucracies and armies were made possible by agricultural surpluses, which in turn created the need for bureaucracies and armies. The same was true of the clergy. The clergy? Yes, surplus begat organized religion! Let’s see why.
Historically, all the states resulting from agricultural societies distributed their surplus in an outrageously unequal manner, to the benefit of those with social, political and military power. But as strong as these rulers were, they were never strong enough to face down the vast majority of impoverished farmers, who if they joined forces could overthrow the exploitative regime in a matter of hours. So, how did these rulers manage to maintain their power, distributing surplus as they pleased, undisturbed by the majority?
The answer is: by cultivating an ideology which caused the majority to believe deep in their hearts that only their rulers had the right to rule. That they lived in the best of all possible worlds. That everything was the way it was destined to be. That the situation on the ground reflected some divine order. That any opposition to them clashed with that divine power’s will, threatening to send the world spinning out of control.
Without this legitimizing ideology, the power of the state didn’t stand a chance. Just as the state had to exist in perpetuity, surviving the death of its ruler, the ideological crutch for state power needed to be institutionalized too. The people who performed and instituted the ceremonies that served this purpose were the clergy.
Without a large surplus there would be no capacity to create religious institutions with complicated hierarchies of clergy, since the ‘holy’ men and women did not produce anything. At the same time, without organized religion the rulers’ authority over the generation and distribution of the surplus would be very unstable and prone to insurrections by the majority, whose share of the surplus was usually tiny. This is why for thousands of years the state and the clergy were one and the same.
…See comments below for the rest of this review…
June 18, 2020
"If you oppose a prevailing belief, if you criticize a great person who is considered to be an incarnation, you will find that your criticism will be answered by calling you vain and egoist."
Why were the Indian masses affected so deeply by Bhagat Singh? The book doesn't address this question directly, but the deeply penetrable words, unshakable beliefs and selfless charisma of the author implicitly furnish an answer. Moreover, he was a very well read man - his mind told him to study, study and study as it will enable him to face opposition to his ideas.
Most freedom fighters we read have written their texts in the grey old age, thus comes the finesse and the ability to move souls. But to be able to write an impactful letter like 'Why I am an Atheist' at the age of 22 is a remarkable feat in itself!
Rebellion against king is always a sin according to every religion.
October 3, 2020
The content of the book is worth 5 stars. The incidents revolving around his upbringing (he was 7 when he visited the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre site, hours after the pogrom), how he became a revolutionary, why he acted the way he did, and everything about his life is out in the open. What this collection of letters brings to the public is the sheer maturity of this young gentleman, while dealing with issues that are difficult to comprehend even at much older age. Not going into spoilers, Singh's letters reflect the man he was, the ideals he believed in and ever held onto till his last breath.
Now about this edition, though it is understandable that to keep the prices low, the quality of paper has been compromised, but the matter within SHOULDN'T be. There are n number of printing errors, and complete sentences missing in two of the letters. Therefore, 4 stars for this edition.
Now about this edition, though it is understandable that to keep the prices low, the quality of paper has been compromised, but the matter within SHOULDN'T be. There are n number of printing errors, and complete sentences missing in two of the letters. Therefore, 4 stars for this edition.
September 9, 2024
Every Indian knows of Bhagat Singh, of course, as a revolutionary, as a revered hero, as one of the most recognizable names of the Indian freedom struggle - but what I did not know him as, was a well-read, curious-minded, deep thinker with wisdom beyond his years. He wrote "Why I am an Atheist" when he was 23, and I'm glad I read this while I am 23. He feels both like a peer I would have loved having long conversations with, and an inspiring historical figure who thought ahead of the time he was born in.
Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith. Item by item he has to reason out every nook and corner of the prevailing faith. If after considerable reasoning one is led to believe in any theory or philosophy, his faith is welcomed. His reasoning can be mistaken, wrong, misled, and sometimes fallacious, but he is liable to correction because reason is the guiding star of his life. But mere faith and blind faith is dangerous: it dulls the brain and makes a man reactionary. If it does not stand the onslaught of reason it crumbles down. Then the first thing for him is to shatter the whole down and clear a space for the erection of a new philosophy.
He says criticism and independent thinking are the two indispensable qualities of a revolutionary. He refuses to put anyone on a pedestal - whether it's an omnipotent omnipresent being, any other person, say Mahatma Gandhi, or even himself and his own thoughts. Despite being more well read than perhaps a majority of Indian population at the time, he admits he hasn't studied enough, and would loved to have done so. And I really wish we had got to see what further intellectual and revolutionary ripples this young man could have created.
Some reviews tend to reduce this essay to "If God is real, why did he create this unfair world" but Singh goes beyond that. While he doesn't attribute the genesis of religion to the ingenuinity of exploiters, he does say the core purpose of religion has always been to maintain the status quo and keep the strong in power. If the conditions you were born in today are a result of the sins of your previous life - then it trivializes the need for justice within this one, doesn't it? He traces the origin of God to the comfort he brings to a man in distress, which helped mankind in the primitive age, but now serves the interests of the privileged.
Rebellion against King is always a sin according to every religion.
Why I am an Atheist is not the only work in this book though, so I am going to have to judge it based on everything else too. It's all mostly letters, say to the British asking for basic rights, or asking to be shot instead of hanged, or to his father with deep indignation for the efforts he made to free Bhagat etc. Those letters shed light into his sharp personality and deep resolve, but require context, and don't offer much in terms of an argument as the first essay does. And speaking of the argument, I really do wish he had elaborated more on atheism. The writing was electric, and the ideas well-expressed, but I really wish he had more time.
What impressed me most about the guy though, was his courage. I don't mean it just in terms of having the courage to do things that few were willing to do, or just to fight for the freedom of his country - but the courage to think differently and commit to those beliefs, whether politically, religiously, or individualistically. He's the first to admit that believing in a God or reincarnation or some sort of higher divine purpose is going to make the final days of his life much easier, as many of his peers suggest as well - but he doesn't forego rationality for comfort. While I wish he had allowed himself the opportunity to do even more alive than dead - I can't help but appreciate the sheer strength of his character. The choice to die that this 23-year-old took was not brought upon by the lure of salvation or some religious redemption - it was done in full awareness of the void, to create a symbol for the masses, a blazing beacon of revolution for something that mattered more to the man than his own life.
3/5
Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith. Item by item he has to reason out every nook and corner of the prevailing faith. If after considerable reasoning one is led to believe in any theory or philosophy, his faith is welcomed. His reasoning can be mistaken, wrong, misled, and sometimes fallacious, but he is liable to correction because reason is the guiding star of his life. But mere faith and blind faith is dangerous: it dulls the brain and makes a man reactionary. If it does not stand the onslaught of reason it crumbles down. Then the first thing for him is to shatter the whole down and clear a space for the erection of a new philosophy.
He says criticism and independent thinking are the two indispensable qualities of a revolutionary. He refuses to put anyone on a pedestal - whether it's an omnipotent omnipresent being, any other person, say Mahatma Gandhi, or even himself and his own thoughts. Despite being more well read than perhaps a majority of Indian population at the time, he admits he hasn't studied enough, and would loved to have done so. And I really wish we had got to see what further intellectual and revolutionary ripples this young man could have created.
Some reviews tend to reduce this essay to "If God is real, why did he create this unfair world" but Singh goes beyond that. While he doesn't attribute the genesis of religion to the ingenuinity of exploiters, he does say the core purpose of religion has always been to maintain the status quo and keep the strong in power. If the conditions you were born in today are a result of the sins of your previous life - then it trivializes the need for justice within this one, doesn't it? He traces the origin of God to the comfort he brings to a man in distress, which helped mankind in the primitive age, but now serves the interests of the privileged.
Rebellion against King is always a sin according to every religion.
Why I am an Atheist is not the only work in this book though, so I am going to have to judge it based on everything else too. It's all mostly letters, say to the British asking for basic rights, or asking to be shot instead of hanged, or to his father with deep indignation for the efforts he made to free Bhagat etc. Those letters shed light into his sharp personality and deep resolve, but require context, and don't offer much in terms of an argument as the first essay does. And speaking of the argument, I really do wish he had elaborated more on atheism. The writing was electric, and the ideas well-expressed, but I really wish he had more time.
What impressed me most about the guy though, was his courage. I don't mean it just in terms of having the courage to do things that few were willing to do, or just to fight for the freedom of his country - but the courage to think differently and commit to those beliefs, whether politically, religiously, or individualistically. He's the first to admit that believing in a God or reincarnation or some sort of higher divine purpose is going to make the final days of his life much easier, as many of his peers suggest as well - but he doesn't forego rationality for comfort. While I wish he had allowed himself the opportunity to do even more alive than dead - I can't help but appreciate the sheer strength of his character. The choice to die that this 23-year-old took was not brought upon by the lure of salvation or some religious redemption - it was done in full awareness of the void, to create a symbol for the masses, a blazing beacon of revolution for something that mattered more to the man than his own life.
3/5
November 4, 2020
"Where is God? What is he doing? Is he enjoying all these woes of human race? A Nero; a Changez. Down with him! "
"If you oppose the prevailing faith, if you criticize a hero, a great man, who is generally believed to be above criticism because he is thought to be infallible, the strength of your argument shall force the multitude to decry you as vainglorious."
I can go on and on with quotes from this little treasure called 'Why I Am an Atheist'.
Comrade Bhagat Singh, my hero! After admiring him for all these years I finally devoured his valued writings. How could he, a boy of 23, write these powerful words? How could he think of nothing but revolution when he was in prison? Writing down the reasons for being an atheist and sending it out to the world so boldly, dear comrade, I have never admired anyone so deeply! You are an inspiration, you are a role model, you are nothing but revolution.
If there is one book that I insist everyone has to read, it is this book. If you are an Indian, you must read this book because it's time you choose a right role model. If you are not an Indian, you must read this too because it's important that you understand the true Indian spirit before calling my India a third world country.
"If you oppose the prevailing faith, if you criticize a hero, a great man, who is generally believed to be above criticism because he is thought to be infallible, the strength of your argument shall force the multitude to decry you as vainglorious."
I can go on and on with quotes from this little treasure called 'Why I Am an Atheist'.
Comrade Bhagat Singh, my hero! After admiring him for all these years I finally devoured his valued writings. How could he, a boy of 23, write these powerful words? How could he think of nothing but revolution when he was in prison? Writing down the reasons for being an atheist and sending it out to the world so boldly, dear comrade, I have never admired anyone so deeply! You are an inspiration, you are a role model, you are nothing but revolution.
If there is one book that I insist everyone has to read, it is this book. If you are an Indian, you must read this book because it's time you choose a right role model. If you are not an Indian, you must read this too because it's important that you understand the true Indian spirit before calling my India a third world country.
April 22, 2020
Amidst the Corona pandemic that has affected the world, today also happens to be the Martyrdom Day of Bhagat Singh along with Sukhdev & Rajguru. All three were in their early 20s when they were hanged in 1931 for the Lahore conspiracy case.
An atheist & socialist, Bhagat Singh expressed himself fearlessly through his writings which luckily are accessible & this book is a collection of some of them. How to write a "review" of such a book which actually should be read by every single citizen of the country? Published by Srishti publication , I believe there couldn't have been a better time to come out with a book like this when our country has been engulfed by hatred & propaganda. These are two of his quotes which I believe is the need of the hour, "Merciless criticism and independent thinking are the two necessary traits of revolutionary thinking." "Love always elevates the character of man. It never lowers him, provided love be love."
An atheist & socialist, Bhagat Singh expressed himself fearlessly through his writings which luckily are accessible & this book is a collection of some of them. How to write a "review" of such a book which actually should be read by every single citizen of the country? Published by Srishti publication , I believe there couldn't have been a better time to come out with a book like this when our country has been engulfed by hatred & propaganda. These are two of his quotes which I believe is the need of the hour, "Merciless criticism and independent thinking are the two necessary traits of revolutionary thinking." "Love always elevates the character of man. It never lowers him, provided love be love."
January 7, 2021
"My life is not so precious, at least to me, as you may probably think it to be. It is not at all worth buying at the cost of my principles." - Bharat Singh
Read
April 4, 2024my first audiobook with patience, beautiful narration and of course, ideals of Bhagat Singh took a new form in my mind today
July 10, 2024
I have the copy and read it 10 times and still forgot to put it on Goodreads.
July 18, 2026
I think I am not qualified to review a book of letters of a revolutionary destined to meet his death shortly but still valiant in the face of it.
It begins with Bhagat Singh making a case for his atheist beliefs, how the belief emerged from vanity but was cemented through the constant internal dialogue and coming to the conclusion that a belief in god was like an "intoxication" or a mysticism to make your present feel less miserable. To Bhagat Singh, it is not taking life head on.
The book has letters from the various points in his term at the Lahore Jail, from wanting books to read before he would inevitably be sent there; to his appeal that he be shot like a war prisoner instead of hanged since they claim that he had committed an act of war against the British crown.
There are several instances in the book that represents the gravitas of a figure like him. The clear beliefs in his head and the resolute mindset to bring about prison reforms for war prisoners is astounding. The fact that he called his father's appeal to the magistrate to hear his son's innocence an act of utmost treachery. His appeal to Sukhdev to be resolute and use his time in jail to bring out prison reforms and not entertain the cowardly idea of suicide. such radical and unshakeable clarity justifies his deified status in contemporary revolutions. I think in a time like this the quotes I put here will do more justice to his exemplary writing than a review of mine ever could.
There is also underrated sarcasm in his writing used to highlight the hypocrisies and the extents to which the British went to prosecute this man. One such quote is in a letter after the Parliament bombing.
When the man was about to meet his fate he wrote a letter to his friend B.K. Dutt, who was serving a life sentence.
And finally Bhagat Singh's last petition where he appeals to be shot like a war prisoner.
This book makes gives you insight into a generational figure and makes you thank that these letters could be preserved at the same time. I recommend everyone give this a read as there is no better time for this than now.
It begins with Bhagat Singh making a case for his atheist beliefs, how the belief emerged from vanity but was cemented through the constant internal dialogue and coming to the conclusion that a belief in god was like an "intoxication" or a mysticism to make your present feel less miserable. To Bhagat Singh, it is not taking life head on.
Belief in god is the outcome of mysticism, which is the natural consequence of depression.
The book has letters from the various points in his term at the Lahore Jail, from wanting books to read before he would inevitably be sent there; to his appeal that he be shot like a war prisoner instead of hanged since they claim that he had committed an act of war against the British crown.
There are several instances in the book that represents the gravitas of a figure like him. The clear beliefs in his head and the resolute mindset to bring about prison reforms for war prisoners is astounding. The fact that he called his father's appeal to the magistrate to hear his son's innocence an act of utmost treachery. His appeal to Sukhdev to be resolute and use his time in jail to bring out prison reforms and not entertain the cowardly idea of suicide. such radical and unshakeable clarity justifies his deified status in contemporary revolutions. I think in a time like this the quotes I put here will do more justice to his exemplary writing than a review of mine ever could.
People holding ideas like ours do not throw bombs on their own innocent people.
The day we find a great number of men and women with this psychology who cannot devote themselves to anything else than the service of mankind and emancipation of the suffering humanity, that day shall inaugurate the era of liberty.
Instead of using the experiments and expressions of the ancient savants and thinkers as a basis for our future struggle against ignorance, and try to find out a solution to this mysterious problem, we - lethargical as we have proved to be - raise the hue and cry of faith, unflinching and unwavering faith to their versions and thus are guilty of stagnation of human progress.
But mere faith and blind faith is dangerous; it dulls the brain and makes a man reactionary.
Upton Sinclair that wrote at some place, make a man a believer in immortality and then rob him of all his riches and possessions. He shall help you even in that ungrudgingly.
There is also underrated sarcasm in his writing used to highlight the hypocrisies and the extents to which the British went to prosecute this man. One such quote is in a letter after the Parliament bombing.
Lord Irwin in his address to the joint session of the two houses described the event as an attack directed against no individual but against an institution itself, we readily recognized that the true significance of the incident had been correctly appreciated.
Bomb was necessary to awaken England from her dreams
When the man was about to meet his fate he wrote a letter to his friend B.K. Dutt, who was serving a life sentence.
Death in the struggles of this kind is an ideal death.
I will climb the gallows gladly and show the world as to how bravely revolutionaries can sacrifice themselves for the cause.
And finally Bhagat Singh's last petition where he appeals to be shot like a war prisoner.
As the question of our fates, please allow us to say that when you have decided to put us to death, you will certainly do it. You have got the power in your hands and power is the greatest justification in this world.
This book makes gives you insight into a generational figure and makes you thank that these letters could be preserved at the same time. I recommend everyone give this a read as there is no better time for this than now.
August 6, 2026
What a travesty that most Indians know Bhagat Singh merely as a revolutionary and have absolutely no idea that he wrote something that goes by this name, or any of his other essays. As most reviewers here have pointed out, the clarity of thought is amazing, but what's even more impressive is his willingness to read about the revolutions and happenings around the world instead of blindly following one person. He took the time to read and formulate his own opinions, something that present-day India could really use.
It kind of sounds hypocritical because, compared to most enthusiastic readers, I've barely read anything, at least nothing of any real substance. But whatever your source of knowledge may be (though books are probably the best one), this book shows the importance of being aware of your surroundings and forming your own values and opinions, an art that feels lost in today's India.
This is the first time I'm reviewing a book here. I'm much more used to writing movie reviews on Letterboxd, so I don't know how this review might come across. I'll also refrain from mentioning my favourite passages because there are so many, and I might not even remember them well enough. My favourite essay here was undoubtedly the one in the title. The essay addressed to revolutionary students was amazing, and the letter to Sukhdev was quite good too. Most of the other essays are very good as well, but those three were my favourites.
I will definitely re-read this someday.
It kind of sounds hypocritical because, compared to most enthusiastic readers, I've barely read anything, at least nothing of any real substance. But whatever your source of knowledge may be (though books are probably the best one), this book shows the importance of being aware of your surroundings and forming your own values and opinions, an art that feels lost in today's India.
This is the first time I'm reviewing a book here. I'm much more used to writing movie reviews on Letterboxd, so I don't know how this review might come across. I'll also refrain from mentioning my favourite passages because there are so many, and I might not even remember them well enough. My favourite essay here was undoubtedly the one in the title. The essay addressed to revolutionary students was amazing, and the letter to Sukhdev was quite good too. Most of the other essays are very good as well, but those three were my favourites.
I will definitely re-read this someday.
November 10, 2020
First, The title is misleading, I had expected a pretty long reading about being atheist ,but it was just 10 min read. And I don't agree with him. Anyways, personal choice
But at the later stages of this collection of letters, it gets pretty boring. Seems like blabbering of a 24yr old young man, who was inspired with Utopian Socialist Ideology, following closely the works of LENIN, Marx , frequently drawing comparisons with Bolshevik revolution...well we all know how that turned out.
Probably, he would had changed his opinion , had he lived longer.
..wont recommend this to others..
As per the authors own words in one of his letters "PLEASE DO NOT READ IT TO FOLLOW BLINDLY AND TAKE IT FOR GRANTED WHAT IS WRITTEN ON IT. READ IT, CRITICIZE IT, THINK OVER IT, AND TRY TO FORMULATE YOUR OWN IDEAS"
But at the later stages of this collection of letters, it gets pretty boring. Seems like blabbering of a 24yr old young man, who was inspired with Utopian Socialist Ideology, following closely the works of LENIN, Marx , frequently drawing comparisons with Bolshevik revolution...well we all know how that turned out.
Probably, he would had changed his opinion , had he lived longer.
..wont recommend this to others..
As per the authors own words in one of his letters "PLEASE DO NOT READ IT TO FOLLOW BLINDLY AND TAKE IT FOR GRANTED WHAT IS WRITTEN ON IT. READ IT, CRITICIZE IT, THINK OVER IT, AND TRY TO FORMULATE YOUR OWN IDEAS"
September 13, 2025
I am definitely going to revisit this book whenever I am in self-doubt. Along with that, I am going to explore other writings about the revolution.
Being ignorant and relying only on textbooks and borrowed praise about him, I never read his works for myself, and I now realize that I missed something important.
I have a feeling that we are losing the freedom for which our revolutionaries and martyrs fought, both to Western, international, and intranational conflicts, along with delusions. I am motivated to find the true meaning of such freedom, one that is as clear as water and as rightful to us as oxygen.
Let us see where it takes me, and us.
Do read his works, especially his letter to his father when his father requested him to prove his innocence, as well as his writing to Sukhdev, where he urged him not to commit suicide.
Being ignorant and relying only on textbooks and borrowed praise about him, I never read his works for myself, and I now realize that I missed something important.
I have a feeling that we are losing the freedom for which our revolutionaries and martyrs fought, both to Western, international, and intranational conflicts, along with delusions. I am motivated to find the true meaning of such freedom, one that is as clear as water and as rightful to us as oxygen.
Let us see where it takes me, and us.
Do read his works, especially his letter to his father when his father requested him to prove his innocence, as well as his writing to Sukhdev, where he urged him not to commit suicide.
March 25, 2020
" I am such a lunatic that I am free even in jail " - Bhagat Singh (23)
Asking to be shot dead as instead of being Hanged was the extent to which Bhagat Singh was ready to go as written in his final letter so have his message sent out to everyone across nation to how determined he was to strengthen the cause of a national movement , The raw letters will definitely make you wonder of the what he could have achieved had he lived longer and was not executed .
His 18 letters complied into this book is definitely a must read.
Asking to be shot dead as instead of being Hanged was the extent to which Bhagat Singh was ready to go as written in his final letter so have his message sent out to everyone across nation to how determined he was to strengthen the cause of a national movement , The raw letters will definitely make you wonder of the what he could have achieved had he lived longer and was not executed .
His 18 letters complied into this book is definitely a must read.
February 7, 2025
Reading this book at the age of 25, I was very heartbroken remembering that bhagat singh never got to live till my age. He died at 23. Every page of this book fills me with surprise, respect, sadness, courage , thoughtfulness and a plethora of emotions like these. I am left speechless thinking about the brave heart he had and the immense reasoning and knowledge he possessed. Even in jail , his spirit was not crushed even a little. The book serves as a testimonial for the people who believe in serving humanity, questioning and reasoning. Must, must, must read.
April 17, 2025
There is an upfront honesty to every piece in this collection that is refreshing and inspiring. He was a critical thinker and tried to stay humble about where he had strayed wrong and what his updated thoughts were. He genuinely believed himself to be a true revolutionary for the people- not just a nationalist but one for socialism and against all imperialism and gave what he could.
August 1, 2026
Such a fabulous read! Honestly his essay on atheism in particular has left me with more questions than answers. He was only a couple of years older than I when he wrote that essay and yet his words seem wiser and thought provoking than any elder I have spoken to. Truly made me question my beliefs. Why doesn’t God(s) help those in need? Make man altruistically empathetic to one another? Why do people suffer while others live in luxuries? I had to stop reading to think for a moment after this line: “how are you going to justify your almighty…who has been and is still causing numberless tragedies every day, every hour, and every minute?” And why hasn’t God stopped ppl from committing sins against each other? Truly, a remarkable author at such a tender age!
And, to be able to face death without awaiting reward in his next life or in heaven and solely doing it for freedom is a feat that not many have the courage to do so.
My favorite quote from this book: “Not to become a king, nor to gain any other rewards here, or in the next birth or after death in paradise, shall they be inspired to challenge the oppressors, exploiters, and tyrants, but to cast off the yoke of serfdom from the neck of humanity and to establish liberty and peace shall they tread this —to their individual selves perilous and to their noble selves the only glorious imaginable- path.”
And, to be able to face death without awaiting reward in his next life or in heaven and solely doing it for freedom is a feat that not many have the courage to do so.
My favorite quote from this book: “Not to become a king, nor to gain any other rewards here, or in the next birth or after death in paradise, shall they be inspired to challenge the oppressors, exploiters, and tyrants, but to cast off the yoke of serfdom from the neck of humanity and to establish liberty and peace shall they tread this —to their individual selves perilous and to their noble selves the only glorious imaginable- path.”
July 27, 2026
I will forever be in awe of Bhagat Singh’s way of thinking and his ability of putting his thoughts so eloquently on paper!
As a clueless little teenager, reading this really made me come to terms with the kind of conversations I have within myself as well, be it about my faith, my opinion on things, things that I disagree with and what not.
As Indians we’re made familiar with certain people ever since the beginning of our school years, the list consists of freedom fighters, political revolutionaries and people of utmost importance in general. Being able to read their thoughts and visualise their circumstances and their beliefs really feels surreal.
I crave to learn more about Bhagat Singh, his struggles, his life and just how he managed to be so damn great at the tender age of 23!😭😭😭
As a clueless little teenager, reading this really made me come to terms with the kind of conversations I have within myself as well, be it about my faith, my opinion on things, things that I disagree with and what not.
As Indians we’re made familiar with certain people ever since the beginning of our school years, the list consists of freedom fighters, political revolutionaries and people of utmost importance in general. Being able to read their thoughts and visualise their circumstances and their beliefs really feels surreal.
I crave to learn more about Bhagat Singh, his struggles, his life and just how he managed to be so damn great at the tender age of 23!😭😭😭
September 14, 2020
Lovers, poets and lunatics are made of the same stuff - Bhagat Singh at such a young age was a man of wisdom. He had strong principles and ideology, which he developed overtime, a very small amount of time which he got to live. He is an inspiration to the youth, through his essays, he tries to make the reader understand the depth of a situation. It is the hardest moments of your life, that need the best version of you and help you become one. He preaches that suicide is no solution, and to experience pain is a part of plan. The times in life where you feel broken and lost, try and remember why did you start in the first place. He strongly recommends to have a clear goal, to know exactly what you want from life.
Through his writings, it is quite evident that he was an avid reader and at every opportunity, tried to preach his comrades too. He was a great man and his letters give an eye-opening insight into him.
Through his writings, it is quite evident that he was an avid reader and at every opportunity, tried to preach his comrades too. He was a great man and his letters give an eye-opening insight into him.
April 6, 2022
This book gives a peek into the minds of one of the most remarkable personalities of the Indian freedom struggle. However, it does very little in helping the reader understand the enigma that Bhagat Singh was. The writings and letters that comprise this publication point towards a fertile, agile intellect. But one never gets to know what turned this young man into a hardboiled communist. Also, there has been serious debate over the years about what motivated Singh to carry out the violent actions he is famous for. Was it patriotism or a deep-seated hatred for the capitalistic British? Again, the book does not shed much light on these aspects. This is an interesting work given that there isn't a lot of published material on Bhagat Singh. Still, one can't help but feel shortchanged having read it.
January 19, 2025
This books is an eye opener. It just goes to show how much was left out of our school history books. Bhagat Singh was not only fighting for our freedom from western imperialism but also against captialists whether they were Indian or Foreign. He was clear in his thoughts and his writing. I wish we learned this actual side of him in school. His vision of revolution is still relevant today and I hope more people read his writing and get to know him better. He brings up some great points that are lacking in our thinking. For example, progressiveness can only be brought by always questioning and improving, no matter who you are Gandhi or the most powerful political leader. If what they say is never questioned we are doomed to always be stuck in the same cycle of oppression.
February 19, 2026
The title essay was very good. I enjoyed the discussion on how religion arises from a physiological and sociological perspective. My only critique is that he opened himself up to the 'we don't know God's plan / we can't fully understand God' rebuttal during his discussion of God's lack of interdiction in human suffering. But it's futile to argue against that premise and he still needed to mention the lack of involvement to drive at his points.
In addition to the title essay, I enjoyed reading "When Sukhdev Thought of Suicide" and "To Young Political Workers." And the essay title “Don’t Hang Us; Shoot Us” hits hard.
I could do without all the other essays.
In addition to the title essay, I enjoyed reading "When Sukhdev Thought of Suicide" and "To Young Political Workers." And the essay title “Don’t Hang Us; Shoot Us” hits hard.
I could do without all the other essays.
November 3, 2025
“It is true that I am going to die soon. But I am not going to seek refuge in lies or hypocrisy. I am not going to pretend belief in God to save myself. I am not a believer in the supernatural power of God. If, after all my sufferings, I do not believe in God, it is because I find no evidence to support such a belief. My atheism is not born out of vanity, but of honest inquiry. I may be wrong, but until I am convinced otherwise, I will stand by my convictions, even at the cost of my life.”
This was truth laid bare — unflinching, unapologetic, unforgettable.
This was truth laid bare — unflinching, unapologetic, unforgettable.
February 28, 2025
It's absolutely mind-blowing to think that someone had this kind of mindset all the way back in the 1930s—a way of thinking that even in 2025, many are either too afraid to embrace or simply don’t.
Shahid Bhagat Singh Ji was truly ahead of his time. To be honest, we need someone like him now more than ever. He was a true revolutionary, with an indomitable spirit. And to think he was only 23 when he died!
I’m so grateful that figures like him are a proud part of Indian history.
Shahid Bhagat Singh Ji was truly ahead of his time. To be honest, we need someone like him now more than ever. He was a true revolutionary, with an indomitable spirit. And to think he was only 23 when he died!
I’m so grateful that figures like him are a proud part of Indian history.
May 25, 2026
काफ़ी अलग विचार है भगत सिंह के....उन्होंने बड़े ही तर्क देकर बताया है।।।ओर जो सवाल किएहाई शायद उसका जवाब आज तो कोई दे नहीं सकता। कुछ लोग कह तो देते हम बहगत सिंह को फॉली करते है।बट उन्हें कभी उनके विचार पढ़े नहीं होंगे। उन्होंने बस उन्हें इतना ही देखा कि उनने देश के लिए अपनी जान दे दी। और मैं अगर कुछ याद करती हूं अच्छी यूनिवर्सिटी में ओढ़ने वाले स्टूडेंट्स तो अब समझ प रही huki उनके विचार इतने गर्म क्यों है।
January 27, 2020
Read it to understand the cause behind the sacrifice. Read it to understand the psychology of a 23 year old who sacrificed his life for vision. Read it to understand the meaning of 'Inquilab Zindabad'.
March 23, 2026
There's a letter in it addressed to the young revolutionaries i think that not only it scared the brits but congress also cause it might have lead to a revolution that he wanted not the compromise what congress wanted!
January 19, 2021
Goosebumps
May 6, 2024
What a perfect read for the current times!
December 31, 2024
Liked the two essays in particular:
1. Why I am an Atheist
2. To Young Political Workers
1. Why I am an Atheist
2. To Young Political Workers
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