The Lost Hero: The Story of Ghulam Ambia Khan Luhani

Abstract

The review examines the book by Matiur Rahman, editor-in-chief of Bangladesh's most influential media outlet, Prothom Alo, about the life and fate of Indian revolutionary Golam Lohani.

At the beginning of the last century, Ghulam Ambia Khan Lohani became acquainted with Indian communists and participated in political discussions. He was attracted to Marxist ideas. Later, while studying at university in London, he became more deeply acquainted with Marxist literature. At the same time, Lohani embraced the October Revolution in USSR. After the creation of the Communist International, Lohani decided to participate directly in its activities. He came to Moscow and worked in the Comintern apparatus, and later in the Profintern. He lived in a country where, as it seemed to him, the construction of socialism, which millions of workers in other countries dreamed of, was being carried out. In the 1930s, the political situation in the USSR began to change. Mass repressions began. Arrests began in the Comintern, including those of employees with whom Lokhani had worked for many years. Lohani saw this and was deeply affected. He fell ill. He sought treatment, but his health was already compromised. He tried to travel to India for treatment, but did not receive permission. In 1938, he was arrested and charged with espionage. He was shot at the Kommunarka firing range in Moscow. Lohani was later rehabilitated. Such was the life of an Indian communist who sincerely believed in the ideas of communism and internationalism.