Nestled in the Wazirganj area of Lucknow lies a short yet significant stretch known as the Jagat Narain Road. Spanning just 400 metres, this road is also pretty iconic, since several notable landmarks such as the city station, the Rifa-e-Aam Club, Christian College and others are situated on this lane.
Although the stretch doesn’t feature any plaques or signboards with the name, the road has long carried the name of Pandit Jagat Narain Mulla, who happens to be a notable figure from Lucknow, yet now seems to be forgotten over the years. But who was he exactly?
An important pre-Independence figure of Lucknow
Pandit Jagat Narain Mulla was a distinguished lawyer, public prosecutor, and administrator during the British Raj. Born on December 14, 1864, in Kashmir, he pursued law at Agra University and swiftly rose to prominence in Lucknow’s legal and administrative circles.
Mulla held some important government positions in Lucknow during his life. He served as the President of the Lucknow Municipality for an impressive 15 years, where he played a pivotal role in modernising the city’s governance and infrastructure. His further served as the Vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University from 1930 to 1932, a period marked by significant academic advancements and institutional growth.
The Kakori Case: A controversial chapter of Pt. Jagat Narain Mulla’s life
Pandit Jagat Narain Mulla is remembered for his association with the infamous Kakori Conspiracy case of 1925. Revolutionary freedom fighters Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan and other members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) carried out a daring train robbery near Kakori village to fund their resistance against British colonial rule. The train was transporting tax revenue collected from Indians by the British government.
Ashfaqullah Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil along with other HRA members were subsequently caught by the police for this robbery. When this case came to trial, Pandit Mulla, as a public prosecutor, represented the British government and successfully proved HRA’s involvement.
While some see his role as a professional obligation, others question whether it stemmed from personal choice or compulsion under colonial rule.
Mulla’s name lingers quietly today
Pandit Jagat Narain Mulla’s legacy is a complex and layered one, reflecting the intricate dynamics of India’s colonial history. While his association with the Kakori Conspiracy case casts him as a figure of contention, it also underscores the challenging moral and professional dilemmas faced by many Indians under British rule.
Today, as his name lingers quietly on a short stretch of road in Lucknow, it serves as a reminder of the nuanced narratives of India’s freedom struggle—where acts of revolution, loyalty, and duty intersected in ways that continue to evoke reflection and debate.
