Alipore Conspiracy Case 1908 was one of the most significant political trials in India’s independence movement. It is also known as the Muraripukur Bomb Case or the Manicktolla Conspiracy Case. Officially recorded as “Emperor vs Aurobindo Ghosh and Others”, it remains a landmark event in India’s fight against British rule.

This case started after an assassination attempt on British Magistrate Douglas Kingsford by two young revolutionaries, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki. Their actions set off one of the largest British crackdowns on nationalist groups in Bengal.

The trial involved several revolutionaries from Anushilan Samiti, a secret society working for India’s independence. The case exposed the growing conflict between British imperialism and Indian nationalism, inspiring future generations of freedom fighters.

British Magistrate Douglas Kingsford 

Khudiram Bose

Prafulla Chaki

Alipore Conspiracy Case Timeline 

To understand the complete timeline of the Alipore Conspiracy Case, some facts about the year, important dates, key events, and verdict in a table below.

Details	Information
Alipore Conspiracy Case Year	1908–1909
Alipore Conspiracy Case Date	Arrests began on May 2, 1908; Trial ran from May 1908 to May 1909
Main Incident	Muzaffarpur Bomb Attack on April 30, 1908
Court	Alipore Sessions Court, Calcutta
Verdict Declared	May 1909

Alipore Conspiracy Case Background

Alipore Conspiracy Case (1908) took place during a period of growing anger in Bengal against British policies. The main reason behind this unrest was the Partition of Bengal in 1905, which was seen as a deliberate attempt by the British to divide Indians based on religion and weaken the freedom movement.

This decision created widespread dissatisfaction among the people and gave rise to militant nationalist groups like the Anushilan Samiti, whose goal was to end British rule through revolutionary methods. These groups believed that peaceful protests alone would not bring independence, so they chose the path of armed resistance.

Role of the Manicktolla Secret Society

In 1907, Barindra Kumar Ghosh, the younger brother of Aurobindo Ghosh, founded the Manicktolla Secret Society in Calcutta. Around 20 young revolutionaries joined this group, which became the main center for revolutionary planning.

The members were trained rigorously in:

• Physical fitness and martial arts
• Handling firearms and explosives
• Reading spiritual and revolutionary texts
• Learning tactics for armed struggle

This secret society later became the heart of the conspiracy that led to the Alipore trial.

Barindra Kumar Ghosh

Aurobindo Ghosh

Muzaffarpur Bomb Incident (April 30, 1908)

A major turning point came on April 30, 1908, when two young revolutionaries, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki, tried to assassinate British magistrate Douglas Kingsford in Muzaffarpur. They threw a bomb at Kingsford’s carriage, hoping to end his oppressive rule.

However, the attack went wrong — instead of Kingsford, two British women were killed. This incident shocked the British authorities and led to a massive crackdown on revolutionary activities across Bengal.

Mass Arrests and the Beginning of the Case

After the Muzaffarpur bomb attack, the British acted quickly. On May 2, 1908, the police conducted large-scale raids in Calcutta and surrounding areas. They arrested around 20 suspected revolutionaries, including:

• Sri Aurobindo Ghosh
• Members of the Manicktolla Secret Society
• Several other associates linked to the revolutionary network

These arrests eventually led to the famous Alipore Conspiracy Case trial, which became one of the biggest legal battles of India’s independence movement.

Manicktolla Secret Society Details

Before the Alipore Conspiracy Case started, a group of young revolutionaries formed the Manicktolla Secret Society, which played a key role in planning the events. The table below explains its foundation, members, training, and main objectives clearly.

Key Points	Description
Founded by	Barindra Kumar Ghosh
Year	1907
Location	Muraripukur Garden House, Calcutta
Members	Around 20 revolutionaries
Training	Martial arts, explosives, firearms, and spiritual texts
Goal	To achieve freedom through armed rebellion

This group later became the center of planning for the events that led to the Alipore trial.

Muzaffarpur Bomb Incident The Trigger

The chain of events began on April 30, 1908. Two young revolutionaries, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki, planned to assassinate British Magistrate Douglas Kingsford, known for his harsh punishments on nationalists.

• A bomb was thrown at a carriage believed to be carrying Kingsford.
• Instead, two British women inside the carriage were killed.
• The attack shocked the British government and led to a massive police crackdown.

Khudiram Bose was arrested, tried, and executed on August 11, 1908, at the young age of 18.
Prafulla Chaki, to avoid arrest, committed suicide.

This incident directly triggered the Alipore Conspiracy Case.

Alipore Conspiracy Case Arrested Revolutionaries

On May 2, 1908, the British police raided the Muraripukur Garden House and arrested around 20 members of the Anushilan Samiti. The main accused included Aurobindo Ghosh, Barindra Ghosh, Ullaskar Dutt, and other key revolutionaries.

Alipore Conspiracy Case People Involved

Alipore Conspiracy Case involved several important personalities, including revolutionaries, leaders, lawyers, and British officials. The table below explains their roles and what happened to them during and after the case.

Name	Role in the Case	Fate
Aurobindo Ghosh	Accused mastermind, leader of nationalist thought	Acquitted
Barindra Ghosh	Founder of Manicktolla Society	Sentenced to life imprisonment
Ullaskar Dutt	Expert bomb-maker	Sentenced to life imprisonment
Khudiram Bose	Tried to assassinate Kingsford	Executed
Prafulla Chaki	Partner in the bomb attack	Committed suicide
Chittaranjan Das	Defence lawyer for Aurobindo	Helped secure his acquittal
Douglas Kingsford	British magistrate, main target	Survived attack
Narendranath Gosain	Turned Crown witness	Assassinated in jail

Alipore Conspiracy Case Aurobindo Ghosh

Aurobindo Ghosh, one of India’s greatest thinkers and freedom fighters, was accused of being the mastermind behind the conspiracy. However, his lawyer Chittaranjan Das successfully argued that Aurobindo’s writings were philosophical, not revolutionary.

He was acquitted in May 1909. After his release, Aurobindo retired from active politics and focused on spirituality, eventually founding the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry.

Alipore Conspiracy Case Trial Proceedings 

The trial began in May 1908 and continued for one year at the Alipore Sessions Court.

Charges

• Waging war against the British Crown
• Planning terrorist activities
• Manufacturing bombs and training recruits

Assassination of Narendranath Gosain

During the trial, Narendranath Gosain, a key witness who turned approver, was assassinated in jail by revolutionaries Satyendranath Bose and Kanailal Dutta.

Verdict

• Aurobindo Ghosh – Acquitted
• Barindra Ghosh & Ullaskar Dutt – Sentenced to life imprisonment
• Several others – Shorter sentences or released

Alipore Conspiracy Case Impact 

Alipore Conspiracy Case left a deep impact on India’s freedom struggle, influencing revolutionary activities, political movements, and the future path of key leaders

• Rise of Nationalism – The bravery and sacrifices of revolutionaries like Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki inspired thousands of Indians to join the fight for independence.
• British Repression – After the case, the British passed strict laws like the Indian Press Act of 1910 to control nationalist newspapers and suppress revolutionary ideas.
• Growth of Revolutionary Groups – Despite repression, groups like Jugantar and other secret organizations became stronger and continued armed revolutionary activities.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Arrest – On July 3, 1908, Tilak was arrested for writing articles in Kesari that supported militant nationalism and criticized British policies.
• Aurobindo’s Transformation – After his acquittal, Aurobindo Ghosh left active politics and dedicated his life to spirituality, later establishing the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry.

Conclusion

Alipore Conspiracy Case 1908 became a turning point in India’s independence movement. It highlighted the bravery and sacrifices of young revolutionaries who were ready to risk everything for freedom. It also marked the beginning of Aurobindo Ghosh’s spiritual journey, shaping India’s future nationalist vision.

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