FEMALE FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF INDIA

The following is a detailed account of the contributions made by Indian women in the struggle for independence. These female freedom fighters played significant roles in India's fight for freedom from British rule.

1. Rani Lakshmi Bai

Rani Lakshmi Bai, also known as the Rani of Jhansi, is one of the most iconic female warriors in Indian history. She was the second wife of Raja Gangadhar Rao, the ruler of Jhansi, and strongly opposed the British Doctrine of Lapse. During the Revolt of 1857, she refused to surrender Jhansi and fought bravely dressed as a man, ultimately dying on the battlefield. Her valor inspired countless Indians to rise against British rule and continues to be a symbol of bravery in the Indian Army.

2. Begum Hazrat Mahal

Begum Hazrat Mahal, the wife of the deposed ruler of Lucknow, played a significant role in the Revolt of 1857. She resisted the British imposition of the Doctrine of Lapse, which sought to annex Lucknow. After the fall of Lucknow, she escaped to Kathmandu, continuing to be a symbol of resistance and courage.

3. Kasturba Gandhi

Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, was a key supporter of his programs. She was one of the first women imprisoned in Transvaal and participated actively in the Quit India Movement of 1942. She was arrested for her involvement and died while imprisoned in Poona. Her dedication to the cause of Indian independence remains exemplary.

4. Kamala Nehru

Kamala Nehru, married to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1916, actively participated in various movements, including the Civil Disobedience Movement. She was a prominent leader in organizing the No Tax Campaign in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), significantly contributing to the freedom struggle.

5. Vijayalakshmi Pandit

Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Jawaharlal Nehru's sister, joined the Non-Cooperation Movement and was imprisoned thrice during the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1932, 1941, and 1942. In 1937, she was elected to the provincial legislature of the United Provinces and served as the minister of local self-government and public health. She played a crucial role as India's representative at the first meeting of the United Nations in San Francisco, where she challenged British colonialism. She was the first woman to become the President of the United Nations General Assembly.

6. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu is celebrated among Indian female freedom fighters for awakening the women of India. She became the first Indian woman president of the Indian National Congress in 1925 at the Kanpur Session. In 1930, after Gandhi’s arrest, she led his movement and participated in the Round Table Conference in 1931. She was arrested during the Quit India Movement in 1942 and imprisoned for 21 months. A gifted poet known as the Nightingale of India, she became the first woman Governor of Uttar Pradesh after independence.

7. Aruna Asaf Ali

Aruna Asaf Ali played a pivotal role during the Quit India Movement in 1942. She gained fame by hoisting the National Flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, marking the start of the movement. She became a full-time activist, evading arrest by going underground and editing the Congress's monthly journal, ‘Inquilab.’ She was later awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.

8. Madam Bhikaji Cama

Madam Bhikaji Cama was deeply influenced by Dadabhai Naoroji and inspired Indian youth in the UK. She unfurled the first National Flag at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1907. She organized the Free India Society and began the journal ‘Bande Mataram’ to propagate her revolutionary ideas. Known as “Mother India’s first cultural representative of the USA,” she traveled extensively, spreading the message of India's struggle for independence.

These courageous women, including Rani Lakshmi Bai and Aruna Asaf Ali, exemplify the spirit of Indian freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, who fought valiantly for India’s independence. Their legacies continue to inspire the Indian Army and the nation as a whole.
SALUTE THESE SUPERWOMEN WITH MERCHS!

[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just for entertainment purposes]

~Mimansa Sharma