Even after 68 years of independence when we Indians could feel the fervour and the resentment of the people who witnessed that era and even participated in the freedom process of India. People from all walks of life forgot all differences and came together from all walks of life and all classes of society be it men or women or youth all came on streets to fight for the freedom of their country. We still read or hear with awe about courageous stories of freedom fighters of those times; they still fill our hearts with respect, courage and patriotism and leaves our eyes wet with tears.
History has witnessed many women with exceptional bravery and intelligence who walked shoulder to shoulder with men of their times. Let us remember women of the freedom era who fought bravely for their country and contributed towards the achievement of independence of the country India. They are still a source of inspiration to not only women but to all.
Though there are many but here is a list of few women freedom fighters of India whose bravery inspires every woman to fight against all evils of life:
- Rani lakshmibai (19th November – 17th June 1858)
A name etched in history for her bravery forever. She was the queen of Maratha ruled state of Jhansi. She was the first prominent women freedom fighter, who participated in the first freedom rebellion of 1857. British wanted to take over the princely state of Jhansi under the cover of “Doctrine of Lapse”. Sir Hugh Rose came to capture the city of Jhansi in March 1858 but, the brave Lakshmibai announced to fight for freedom instead to surrender. Though she was defeated here and decided to leave and fight from camp at Kalpi. After Kalpi they decided to fight from Gwalior Fort. Here Lakshmibai with Damodar Rao, her son on her back and i cavalry attire died after fighting bravely. Even Hugh Rose praised her bravery and commented that she is the most dangerous of all Indian leaders, which is a commendable tag.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal (1820- 7th April 1879)
She was another queen of a princely state who rebelled against the British East India Company. She was also known as the Begum of Awadh. She also played major role during the rebellion of 1857. After death of her husband Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, she took over the affairs of state of Awadh. During the rebellion the supporters of Begum seized control of Lucknow as an act of rebellion against British East India Company and declared her son, Bijris Qadra as the ruler of the state of Awadh, though later it was recaptured by the Company and Begum was exiled to Calcutta. She drew everyone’s attention towards the demolishment of temples and mosques by the Company to make way for the construction of roads thus; hurting religious sentiments of Indians. Karl Marx said about Begum that “during the national liberation uprising of 1857-1859 in India headed the rebels”.
- Annie Besant (1st October 1857- 20th September 1933)
Though she was British socialist she was a supporter of Indian self-rule. In 1890 she joined Theosophical society as a member and later became its president thus; she visited India where she helped in the establishment of Central Hindu College, and Sind National Collegiate Board in Mumbai in 1902. In 1914 when the world was witnessing World War I she started All India Home Rule League along with Lokmanya Tilak. This body had many branches in India which was active the whole year round and mobilized agitations and demonstrations demanding home rule in India. This compelled the Company to declare that they are working towards the Indian self-government. She also joined Indian National Congress and once became president of the Congress for one year. Her active participation in politics gave way to Indians to gain independence.
- Madam Bhikaiji Cama (24th September 1861- 13th August 1936)
Bhikaiji Rustom Cama who designed the flag of Independent Hindustan was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement.
She was the first woman who hoisted India's Flag in a foreign country.She was a bold and elegant woman and was regarded as an epitome. She move out of her house to fight for her own country.
- Kasturba Gandhi (11th April 1869- 22 February 1942)
Kasturba Gandhi like a true patriotic warrier died in the arms of her husband in Jail.
Kasturba Mohandas Gandhi was the wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Popularly known as “Ba” she was he leader of the famous women Satyagraha movement.
She always supported Gandhiji in his work. Kasturba Gandhi struggled shoulder to shoulder with her husband from Champaran movement to Quit India Movement.
She tried to abolish the class differences and led the growth of women education.
She also taught hygiene and discipline to children and had to undergo imprisonment many number of times but she sustained her courage boldly.
This great lady was a true patriotic warrior and died in the arms of her husband in Jail.
- Sarojini Naidu (13th February 1879- 2nd March 1949)
Also known as The Nightingale of India, Sarojini Naidu was a child prodigy, Indian independence activist and poet.
She was one of the formers of the Indian Constitution and was the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress.
She also became the first woman Governor of Uttar Pradesh state.
Naidu was a powerful and important personality in the Civil Disobedience movement and even struggled hard with Mahatma Gandhi.
She involved herself in various activities such as women education and Hindu Muslim equality.
Her lanmark achievements were Khilafat movement, Satyagraha Movement, The Rowlett Act and the Montagu Chelmsford Reform through which she earned huge glory and respect worldwide.
She devoted her entire life for the cause of he own country.Her birthday is celebrated as women's day all over India.
- Kamala Nehru (1st August 1899- 28 February 1936)
Kamala Nehru was married to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Being the wife of a person who’s contribution to Indian freedom struggle can never be forgotten is in itself a great contribution to Indian freedom struggle. At a prominent instanc, in 1921, during the Non Cooperation Movement in Allahabad she organized groups of women and picketed shops of liquor and foreign cloth. Performing the role of a wife she often went to deliver speeches when Nehru ji failed to appear.
- Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (18th August 1900- 1st December 1990)
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was sister of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and played crucial role in Indian politics. She was the first women to become cabinet minister, she was designated the post of minister of local self-government and public health. She is well known for her political and diplomatic role during the freedom struggle. She was also the first woman president of United Nations General Assembly. She was also the first woman ambassador in the world who attained the position in three countries – Moscow, Washington and London.
- Sucheta Kripalani (25th June 1908- 1st December 1974)
She was a freedom fighter and worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi during Partition riots in India. She also played major role in politics by joining Indian National Congress. During the formation of constitution of India she was elected as a member of the drafting committee of Constituent assembly. Another feather to her cap is attached when she sang “Vande Mataram” in the Constituent Assembly. She was also elected as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state after independence.
- Aruna asaf Ali (16th July 1909- 26th July 1996)
Aruna Asaf Ali was an Indian independence activist. Aruna Asaf Ali was a graduate and a teacher in Calcutta at that period when women education was not at all prevalent in the society.
She is widely remembered for hoisting the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank maidan in Bombay during the Quit India Movement, 1942.
She was 87 years old at the time of her death.
She was married to Asaf Ali and became a member of congress party and led many agitations and protest.
During the Quit India Movement, 1942 she hosted the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank maidan in Bombay.
She was taken as prisoner many a times and held a hunger strike in Tihar Jail which became remarkable in the history of freedom struggle.
Aruna Ali was rewarded with Bharat Ratna Award for her bravery and heroic activities. She was given the title of “Grand old Lady of India.”
- Durga Bai Deshmukh (15th July 1909- 9th May 1981)
She was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and thus; played active role in Gandhi Satyagraha movement and played role of Indian struggler, a lawyer, a social activist and a politician. She was a lok sabha member as well as member of Planning Commission of India. While being member of Planning Commission she launched a Central Social Welfare Board through which she improved condition of education, women, children, handicap and rehabilitation of needy persons.
- Usha Mehta Savitribai Phule (25th March 1920- 11th August 2000)
A very great contribution to her credit is the origination of Congress Radio also known as Secret Congress Radio, which was an underground radio station which was active for few months during the Quit India Movement of 1983. Due to this clandestine activity she was imprisoned in Yeravda Jail of Pune. She was also a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and a freedom fighter.
