SSC
In India, Martyrs' Day (Shaheed Diwas), observed nationally on 30 January, marks the death anniversary of:
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Answer: Option D — Mahatma Gandhi
Detailed Solution
Martyrs' Day (Shaheed Diwas) is observed in India on 30 January, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated on 30 January 1948.
About Gandhi's assassination:
- On the evening of 30 January 1948, Gandhi was shot dead at Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti) in New Delhi while walking to his evening prayer meeting.
- He was killed by Nathuram Godse.
- Godse and his co-conspirator Narayan Apte were tried, convicted and hanged on 15 November 1949 at Ambala jail.
- Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru announced his death on radio with the words: "The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere."
- Gandhi's last words are traditionally said to be "He Ram".
- His memorial in Delhi is "Raj Ghat", on the banks of the Yamuna.
How Martyrs' Day is observed:
- The President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and the three service chiefs lay wreaths at Raj Ghat.
- A two-minute silence is observed across the country at 11 a.m. in memory of the martyrs of the freedom struggle.
- Inter-faith prayers are held.
The day is also observed as "Anti-Leprosy Day" in India because of Gandhi's care for leprosy patients. Globally, World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January.
Another Martyrs' Day:
23 March is also observed as Shaheed Diwas, in memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, who were hanged by the British on 23 March 1931 at Lahore Central Jail in the Lahore Conspiracy Case (for killing the police officer J. P. Saunders in 1928).
Other related dates:
- Lala Lajpat Rai died on 17 November 1928 after being injured in a police lathi charge during the protest against the Simon Commission in Lahore.
- Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary (23 January) is observed as Parakram Divas.
- Gandhi's birthday (2 October) is the International Day of Non-Violence.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Bhagat Singh is remembered on 23 March.
- ✗Lala Lajpat Rai died on 17 November 1928.
- ✗Subhas Chandra Bose's birthday, 23 January, is Parakram Divas.
Quick tip
Remember: Martyrs' Day = 30 January (Gandhi assassinated at Birla House, 1948; two-minute silence at 11 a.m.; also Anti-Leprosy Day); 23 March = Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev (1931).
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Important Days & Dates — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Important Days & Dates, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers national and international days observed through the year, such as National Youth Day, World Environment Day and International Yoga Day, along with the themes announced for them and the events or people they commemorate. Questions ask for the date of a day, the day observed on a given date, or the person it honours (for example, National Sports Day on 29 August marks the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand). Revise days month by month in a calendar format. Themes change every year, so learn the current year's themes from current affairs. Practise the important days questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.