This Day In History- July 31

1880 – Acclaimed Indian writer Munshi Premchand was born.Born as Dhanpat Rai,he first started writing as Nawab Rai,his pen name.However,when his collection of patriotic stories ‘Soz-e-Watan’ was banned by the British government in 1907 he decided to write as ‘Premchand’. His works include novels ‘Godaan’, ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’,’Karmabhoomi’ etc and over 250 short stories.

Mohammad Rafi

Mohammad Rafi

1912 – Political and Social reformer and one of the founders on the Indian National Congress, Allan Octavian Hume passed away. He also regarded as the ‘Father of Indian Ornithology’.

1919 – Former India Cricketer and Coach Colonel Hemachandra’Hemu’ Adhikari was born.

1940 – Great freedom fighter Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Udham Singh embraced martyrdom. Sardar Udham Singh had assassinated Lieutenant Governor of Punjab Michael O’Dwyer to avenge the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

1980 – One of the greatest male playback singers of all time, Mohammad Rafi passed away. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1967 in recognition of his contribution to Indian Cinema and Music.

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