Bhagat Singh’s Kashmiri Connect: The Samavar in His Home!

(Kashmir Rechords Report)

Every year, March 23 marks Shaheedi Diwas, the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev—three revolutionaries who laid down their lives for India’s independence. Hanged by the British on this day in 1931, Bhagat Singh’s name continues to evoke the spirit of resistance, sacrifice and unwavering patriotism.

While his legacy is deeply rooted in Punjab’s revolutionary history, few know about his subtle yet intriguing connection to Kashmir—a connection that found a place even in the heart of his home!

The House That Became a Shrine

Bhagat Singh’s ancestral home in Khatkar Kalan, about 40 kilometers from Jalandhar, is no ordinary residence. This house, now a museum, has become a shrine for admirers of the great revolutionary. Every item displayed here tells a story—from iron buckets and brass utensils to a spinning wheel, a typewriter and traditional Punjabi cots (manjas).But among these relics, one object stands out—a Kashmiri Samavar, a traditional brass kettle used for brewing tea.

The Kashmiri Samavar: A Silent Witness to History

The Samavar, made of pure brass, sits proudly in the display cupboard alongside a black-and-white photograph of a young Bhagat Singh, dressed in a turban and coat, reminiscent of the attire worn by North Indians of that era. Oral accounts suggest that this Samavar was used in Bhagat Singh’s home for Kehwa, the famed Kashmiri tea.

For Kashmiris, both Pandits and Muslims, the presence of this Samavar in Bhagat Singh’s house stirs deep emotions. It is a nostalgic connection to their heritage, as such kettles were rarely found in rest of India. The Samavar’s presence also hints at the revolutionary’s appreciation for the diverse cultures of India, an aspect of his personality that is often overlooked.

Bhagat Singh’s Family and Kashmir: An Unexplored Link

There are no official records explaining how the Samavar came to be in Bhagat Singh’s home. However, historian Ashok Kumar Pandey notes that Bhagat Singh’s father and uncle, Ajit Singh, had visited Kashmir and Ajit Singh even tried to persuade the then Maharaja of Kashmir to resist British rule. This visit suggests a historical interaction between Punjab’s revolutionaries and Kashmir’s political landscape, though much of it remains undocumented.

Preserving a Revolutionary’s Legacy

In recent years, efforts have been made to preserve and document Bhagat Singh’s ancestral house. In 2016, during the house’s renovation, the Punjab government appealed to the public to donate any belongings related to the martyr and his family. In 2017, Punjab’s former Tourism Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu directed authorities to catalogue and describe every preserved item, ensuring that every relic in the house tells its rightful story.

Bhagat Singh was not just a freedom fighter—he was a thinker, a socialist and a visionary. While he strategized against British rule with unparalleled political acumen, he also possessed a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. His revolutionary spirit was universal, extending beyond Punjab and embracing the struggles of people across India, including Kashmir.

The presence of a Kashmiri Samavar in his home serves as a quiet yet powerful symbol of this cross-regional bond, making Shaheed Bhagat Singh not just a hero of Punjab, but a son of India whose influence transcended borders.

Jai Hind!