25 September 1916, Born in the village of Nagla Chandraban (now Deendayal Dham), Mathura district, United Provinces, British India.
Orphaned at age eight; thereafter raised by his maternal uncle and aunt, who supported his schooling and awarded him scholarships.
While studying at Sanatan Dharma College, Kanpur, he came into contact with the RSS and met its founder, K. B. Hedgewar.
Began full-time work as a pracharak (organiser) for the RSS, first in Lakhimpur district and later as joint regional organiser (Prant Pracharak) for Uttar Pradesh.
Launched the monthly Rashtra Dharma, followed by the weekly Panchjanya and the daily Swadesh, to disseminate his integral humanism ideology.
Seconded by the RSS to the newly founded Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS); appointed General Secretary of its Uttar Pradesh branch and subsequently its all-India General Secretary.
Contested the Jaunpur Lok Sabha by-election (though not elected), marking his foray into electoral politics.
December 1967, Elected the 10th President of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh at its Calicut session.
11 February 1968, His body was found in a railway compartment near Mughalsarai station under mysterious circumstances, bringing an abrupt end to his leadership.
India and South Africa jointly issued a postage stamp commemorating his contributions.
The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Memorial Centre in Varanasi was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya was the leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh from 1953 to 1968. A profound philosopher, organiser par excellence and a leader who maintained the highest standards of personal integrity, he has been the source of ideological guidance and moral inspiration for the BJP since its inception.
