Chandra Singh Bhandari (25 December 1891 – 1 October 1979) was an Indian soldier and later in life a member of the Communist Party. On 23 April 1930, under the leadership of Bhandari, the soldiers of the Royal Garhwal Rifles refused to fire on unarmed Pathans fighting for India's independence in an incident that would later come to be known as the "Peshawar Kaand". He lived with Mahatma Gandhi in Sabarmati Ashram for a short time.

Early life and military service

Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali was born in Meason, Patti Chauthan.

On September 3, 1914, during the First World War, Chandra Singh enlisted into the army at Lansdowne. On August 1, 1915, Chandra Singh, along with other Garhwali soldiers, was sent to France by the British. He returned to Lansdowne on February 1, 1916. During the First World War, Chandra Singh participated in the Battle of Baghdad in 1917.

After the First World War ended, the British began dismissing many soldiers, reducing the ranks of those who had been promoted during the war. Chandra Singh was among them. He was demoted from a Havildar to a Sepoy. Consequently, he considered leaving the army. However, senior officers convinced him that his promotion would be taken care of and granted him some time off. During this time, Chandra Singh came into contact with Mahatma Gandhi.

Garhwali also introduced Sri Dev Suman to Gandhi in Wardha. After his conversation with Gandhi Suman asked Garhwali what his dream for the people of Garhwal was. On this, Chandra Singh Garhwali narrated his dream to Shridev Suman and said, 'I imagine an independent Garhwal in independent India. Garhwali shared his dream of an independent Garhwal no longer politically and socially divided by the Ganges. He also emphasized a future with a classless and post-untouchability society with no capitalists and no landlords.

After some time, he was sent to Waziristan with his battalion in 1920, after which he was promoted again. After returning from there, he spent much time with Arya Samaj workers, and a sense of patriotism developed within him. However, the British did not approve of this and sent him to the Khyber Pass. By this time, Chandra Singh had attained the rank of Major Havildar.

Peshawar Incident

On 20th April, 1930 Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan organized a civil disobedience movement in the North-West frontier and a Satyagrah was planned for 23rd April 1930 in Peshawar. Two platoons of the Garhwal Rifles regiment under Garhwali were deployed along with others. Garhwali refused to fire on the protestors. These soldiers tried for disobeying the British were represented by Barrister Mukundi Lal, who, after tireless efforts, had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment. Chandra Singh Garhwali's entire property was confiscated, and his uniform was torn from his body.

Later life

In 1930, Chandra Singh Garhwali was sent to Abbottabad jail (now in Pakistan) for 14 years of imprisonment . His sentence was reduced and after 11 years of imprisonment, he was released on 26 September 1941. But his entry to Garhwal was restricted due to which he had to keep wandering here and there and finally he went to Wardha to meet Gandhi, who was deeply impressed by him. In the Quit India Movement of 8 August 1942, he stayed in Allahabad and took active part in this movement and was again arrested for three years. He was released in 1945.

On December 22, 1946, Chandra Singh was able to re-enter Garhwal with the support of the Communists. In 1957, he contested the elections as a candidate of the Communist Party of India but was unsuccessful. Chandra Singh Garhwali died on October 1, 1979, after a prolonged illness.

Honors

In 1994, the Government of India issued a postage stamp in his honor. Several roads were also named after him.

Chandra Singh Garhwali at 1994 Stamp of India.