Baba Kanshi Ram (11 July 1882 – 15 October 1943) was an Indian poet and activist for independence born in what is now the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

[1] The death sentences handed out to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931 had a great impact on him.

He vowed to wear black clothes until India achieved its independence.

He adhered to his vow until he died[2] on 15 October 1943 and came to be known affectionately as the Siyahposh Jarnail (The Black General).

[3] In 1937, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru awarded him the title of Pahari Gandhi.