Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen, Poet, Freedom Fighter
Poet, Freedom Fighter

Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen

Born 8 December 1897 · Uttar Pradesh — Died 29 April 1960

Edited Pratap daily and served in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha representing Kanpur.

Bal Krishna Sharma, known under the pen name Naveen, was an Indian freedom activist, journalist, politician and a poet of Hindi literature. He was a member of the 1st Lok Sabha, representing Kanpur constituency and served the Rajya Sabha as a member from 1957 till his death. He succeeded Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi as the editor of Pratap daily and also served as a member of the Official Languages Commission. His poetry anthologies include Kumkum, Rashmirekha, Apalak, Kwasi, Vinoba Stavan, Urmila and Hum Vishpaee Janam Ke, the last one published posthumously.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen was declared a 'dangerous prisoner' by the British government after being jailed six times between 1921 and 1944 for his activism.

The Story

1
🌾 Born on 8 December 1897 in the modest village of Bhyana, Madhya Pradesh, Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen began formal education only at age 11 due to poverty, a late start unusual for future literary figures.
2
📚 In 1917, while passing matriculation in Ujjain, he met poet Makhanlal Chaturvedi, whose introduction led Sharma to Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, editor of Pratap, setting the stage for a powerful journalistic career.
3🚩 In 1921, Sharma abandoned his BA studies at Christ Church College, Kanpur, to join the Non-cooperation movement, a decision that led to six imprisonments by British authorities between 1921 and 1944, marking him as a 'dangerous prisoner.'
4✍️ After Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi's death in 1931, Sharma took over as editor of the Pratap daily, continuing its legacy of fearless Hindi journalism during turbulent pre-independence years.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1960
Padma Shri

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Sharma began his formal schooling only at age 11 due to extreme poverty, yet rose to become a key figure in Hindi literature and politics.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen featured on an Indian postage stamp (1989)
Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen featured on an Indian postage stamp (1989)
1989

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Bhyana, Madhya Pradesh
Bal Krishna Sharma was born in the small village of Bhyana in Shajapur district to a financially modest family.
1897
📚
Education
Matriculation in Ujjain
Sharma passed matriculation and met poet Makhanlal Chaturvedi, who introduced him to editor Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi.
1917
⚡
Career
Joins Non-cooperation movement
Abandoned his BA studies at Christ Church College, Kanpur, to fully commit to political activism.
1921
⚡
Career
Becomes Editor of Pratap Daily
Succeeded Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi as editor after his death, steering the paper through critical pre-independence years.
1931
⚡
Career
Elected to 1st Lok Sabha
Won Kanpur Lok Sabha seat with almost 50% votes, defeating Congress Socialist Party opponent by 26,500 votes.
1951
⚡
Career
Member of Official Languages Commission
Appointed to the commission shaping India's official language policies post-independence.
1955
⚡
Career
Elected to Rajya Sabha
Elected to Rajya Sabha, serving until his death in 1960.
1957
🕊️
Death
Death and Padma Bhushan Award
Passed away and was posthumously awarded Padma Bhushan for literature contributions.
1960
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He was imprisoned six times by British authorities between 1921 and 1944 and was officially labeled a 'dangerous prisoner' for his activism.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

After Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi's death in 1931, Sharma became editor of the Pratap daily, continuing a legacy of influential Hindi journalism.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In the 1951-52 elections, he won Kanpur constituency with a margin of over 26,500 votes, securing nearly half the votes cast.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Bal Krishna Sharma Naveen's editorship of the Hindi daily Pratap maintained a critical voice against colonial rule, inspiring nationalist journalism. His political tenure in the first Lok Sabha and later Rajya Sabha helped integrate literary voices into policymaking, evident in his role on the Official Languages Commission shaping India's language policies. His poetry added a new dimension to Hindi literature, blending activism with art.

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