February 27 highlights India's journey from the fiery resistance against British rule to its cultural and sporting evolution.

Significant Historical Milestones

• The Martyrdom of Chandra Shekhar Azad (1931): On this day, at Alfred Park in Allahabad (now Azad Park), the legendary revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad fought a lone, heroic battle against a large police force. True to his vow of never being captured alive ("Azad hi rahe hain, Azad hi rahenge"), he used his final bullet on himself. His sacrifice remains a cornerstone of the Indian independence movement.

• Marathi Bhasha Din (Marathi Language Day): Celebrated annually on February 27 to mark the birth anniversary of Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar (Kusumagraj), a towering figure in Marathi literature and a Jnanpith Award winner. Today, in 2026, Maharashtra observes the day with global literary festivals, following the recent granting of "Classical Language" status to Marathi.

• The Battle of Gujrat (1849): A decisive battle in the Second Anglo-Sikh War took place, which eventually led to the British annexation of the Punjab.

• G.V. Mavalankar Passes Away (1956): Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar, the first Speaker of the Lok Sabha (Independent India's Parliament), died on this day. He is often referred to as the 'Father of the Lok Sabha.'

Notable Birthdays on February 27

• Kusumagraj (1912): The legendary Marathi poet, playwright, and novelist whose work Natsamrat is considered a masterpiece of Indian theater.

• B.S. Yediyurappa (1943): The veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, a key figure in the growth of the BJP in Southern India.

• Sandeep Singh (1986): Former captain of the Indian national hockey team and a legendary drag-flicker, whose life story inspired the film Soorma.

Current Events: February 27, 2026

• Azad Park Memorial: In Prayagraj, a high-tech light and sound show is inaugurated today at the spot of Chandra Shekhar Azad's martyrdom, using AI to narrate the story of the revolutionary movement.

• Defense Milestone: The Indian Navy successfully commissioned the INS Vikrant-II, an upgraded indigenous aircraft carrier, marking a major leap in "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) in naval warfare.

• Marathi Literary Global Meet: A first-of-its-kind virtual global summit for Marathi literature is held today, connecting authors from over 40 countries to celebrate the language's digital evolution.