The 1st quarter of the 20th century was marked as the "AgniYug" of the Indian freedom struggle. The young generation took up firearms and swore vengeance against the oppressive British diplomacy. Chittaranjan Das, a barrister suddenly entered the political scenario fighting 

to save Aurobindo Ghosh from the hanging noose when he got implicated in the Alipore Bomb Conspiracy Case. His wit and powerful handling of the case was the reason behind Aurobindo's freedom. Born in a well to do Bengali family on 5th Nov 1870, he was highly educated and received a degree in Law from England. Chittaranjan Das whose life is a landmark in the history of India's struggle for Independence, was endearingly called 'Deshbandhu' (Friend of the Nation). meaning "comrade of the nation." He belonged to the renowned Das family of Telirbagh, Bikrampur, Dhaka, now in Bangladesh. He was son of Bhuban Mohan Das, and nephew of the Brahmo social reformer Durga Mohan Das. Among his cousins the better acknowledged were: S.R.Das, Sarala Roy and Lady Abala Bose.

He was the leading figure in Bengal during the Non-Co-operation Movement, and initiated the ban on British clothes. He himself set an example by burning his own European clothes and taking up 'desi' Khadi clothes. With Motilal Nehru, he founded the Swaraj Party to express his non-moderate opinions. Known to be the mentor of Shubhash Chandra Bose, the imperialistic British administration tried to cool

He brought out a tabloid named Forward and later changed its given name to Liberty to struggle the British Raj. When the Calcutta Corporation was created, he became its first Mayor. He presided over the Gaya assembly of the Indian National Congress. All the way through his political existence, he was weighed down with sick health but in spite of that, he showed fearlessness, audacity and determinism in increasing up to the British.
He was a supporter of non-violence and legitimate methods for the realization of national freedom, and advocated mutual synchronization and championed the grounds of nationwide education. Particularly Subhash Chandra Bose carried his inheritance onward by his disciples.
Chittaranjan was the defence guidance in the Dacca Conspiracy Case (1910-11). He was renowned for his managing of both civil and criminal bylaw.

Deshbandhu required "Swaraj for the masses, not for the classes." He supposed in non-violent and legitimate methods for the realisation of nationwide independence. In the financial field, Das stressed out the requirement of beneficial work in villages. A victor of national learning and vernacular standard, he felt that the masses should be correctly cultured to contribute in the nationalist movement. Chittaranjan also made his mark as a versifier and an author. His sacred and social
attitude was modern. A believer in women's liberation,he

supported the increase of female edification and widow re-marriage. A supporter of intercaste marriage, he gave his own daughters in marriage Brahmm and Kayastha families.

Believer of non-violence and constitutional methods for the realisation of national independence, advocate of communal harmony and champion of national education died at the age of 55. He was the source of inspiration to many and so when he met an untimely death on 16th June 1925, Bengal writhed in grief. Though his legacy was carried rightly by Shubhash Chandra Bose, his absence was felt in each step on the way to a revolution.