2021-04-22 Thu

Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov was born in Simbirsk, which was renamed Ulyanovsk in his honour. He adopted the pseudonym Lenin in 1901.

Lenin was one of the leading political figures and revolutionary thinkers of the 20th century. He was the founder of the Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks), the inspirer and leader of the Bolshevik Revolution (1917), and the architect, builder, and first head (1917–24) of the Soviet state.

He was the founder of the organisation known as Comintern (Communist International). Under his administration, Russia and then the wider Soviet Union became a one-party socialist state governed by the Russian Communist Party. Ideologically a Marxist, he developed political theories known as Leninism.

After the 1917 February Revolution ousted the Tsar and established a Provisional Government, Lenin played a leading role in the October Revolution, in which the Bolsheviks overthrew the new regime. Almost three years of civil war followed. The Bolsheviks were victorious and assumed total control of the country.

Widely considered one of the most significant and influential figures of the 20th century, Lenin was the posthumous subject of a pervasive personality cult within the Soviet Union until its dissolution in 1991. He became an ideological figurehead behind Marxism-Leninism and thus a prominent influence over the international communist movement. Lenin became the virtual dictator of the country.

Lenin is depicted on numerous stamps issued by Russia. India Post issued a 20 Paise commemorative stamp in 1970 marking Lenin’s birth centenary. A 1 Rouble commemorative coin was released by Russia in 1970 featuring Lenin’s portrait on the obverse.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org