(1865–1928) Lawyer, reformer, and militant Hindu nationalist. Born to a humble Punjabi family, Lajpat Rai became
wealthy from his legal work. By the age
of thirty-five, he was able to devote all of
his earnings to public work. He joined
the Arya Samaj while still in his teens
and supported Lahore’s Dayanand
Anglo-Vedic College, which was founded
in 1889. At the turn of the century he was
active in a variety of social and educational endeavors. He eventually entered
politics. He actively resisted British rule,
which brought him several prison terms.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, he
refused to advocate violence. His commitment to politics ultimately cost him
his life; he died from injuries sustained
in a beating by the police while leading a
demonstration in Lahore.