On 17 December 1927, which revolutionary shot British police officer John Saunders in Lahore?

Introduction / Context:
The assassination of John Saunders in Lahore in December 1927 is a famous episode in the history of the Indian revolutionary movement. It is closely associated with Bhagat Singh, who has become an iconic figure in India's struggle for freedom. Although the action was actually carried out in cooperation with Shivaram Rajguru, exam questions often ask specifically which revolutionary shot Saunders, focusing on Bhagat Singh's role.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The date mentioned is 17 December 1927.
• The location is Lahore, then part of British India.
• The victim was John Saunders, a British police officer.
• The options list several figures: Bhagat Singh, Mangal Pandey, Sukhdev Thapar, Bipin Chandra Pal and Shivaram Rajguru.

Concept / Approach:
The key is to connect each revolutionary with the correct event. Mangal Pandey is linked with the revolt of 1857, long before this incident. Bipin Chandra Pal was a moderate nationalist leader and not part of this plot. Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru were close associates of Bhagat Singh, but popular exam questions often highlight Bhagat Singh as the central figure in the Saunders assassination case. Therefore, in the context of standard multiple choice questions, Bhagat Singh is the expected answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
History books and biographies of Bhagat Singh consistently mention the Saunders case as a turning point in his revolutionary career, leading eventually to his arrest and trial in the Lahore conspiracy case. While they may also discuss the roles of Rajguru and others, the public and exam oriented focus remains on Bhagat Singh, confirming that this is the expected answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Mangal Pandey: An early rebel soldier of 1857, unrelated to events in Lahore in 1927.
• Sukhdev Thapar: A close associate of Bhagat Singh who worked with him in the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, but not the one primarily credited in this question.
• Bipin Chandra Pal: A prominent leader of the Extremist wing of the Indian National Congress, not a revolutionary assassin.
• Shivaram Rajguru: He participated in the action, but the question usually expects Bhagat Singh as the main name connected with the shooting.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes get confused between Rajguru and Bhagat Singh when asked in a very specific way about who fired which shot. However, in most exam settings, the simplified question connects Saunders directly with Bhagat Singh. It is useful to know the detailed history but also to recognise how questions are conventionally set.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Bhagat Singh.