As we celebrate 75 years of Indian independence, it is important to remember the sacrifices of all those who fought for our freedom. While there are many well-known male freedom fighters, there are also many forgotten women who played a pivotal role in the struggle for independence. In this article, we will take a look at 10 of the most courageous and inspiring female freedom fighters in India.
75th Independence Day of India
India gained its independence from the British Raj on 15th August 1947. It was a long and hard-fought battle with many great leaders and martyrs. We remember them every year on this day and their sacrifices for our country.
But there are some unsung heroes, too. The women who fought for India’s independence are often forgotten. So, on this Independence Day, let’s remember the brave women who fought for our freedom.
Forgotten Women Freedom Fighters of India
- Lakshmi Bai: The Rani of Jhansi, she was one of the most important leaders of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. She was a fearless warrior and fought until her last breath.
- Sarojini Naidu: Also known as the Nightingale of India, she was a poet and a freedom fighter. She played an important role in the Indian National Congress and was jailed several times for her protests against British rule.
- Annie Besant: A social reformer and women’s rights activist, she was also the first woman to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress.
- Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit: She was the sister of Jawaharlal Nehru and a leading figure in the Indian independence movement. She served as India’s ambassador to several countries and was also the first woman to preside over the United Nations General Assembly.
- Aruna Asaf Ali: She was an Indian independence activist who is best recalled for hoisting the Indian National Congress flag during the Quit India Movement of 1942. She did this at the August Kranti Maidan located in Bombay.
- Kasturba Gandhi: The wife of Mahatma Gandhi, she was a social activist and freedom fighter in her own right. She was jailed several times along with her husband for their protests against British rule.
- Sucheta Kriplani: A leading figure of the Indian National Congress, she was also the first woman to be elected as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
- Janaki Thevar: She was a social reformer and women’s rights activist from Tamil Nadu. She played an important role in the Quit India Movement and was also jailed for her protests against British rule.
- Usha Mehta: A child prodigy, she was just 19 years old when she led the flag-hoisting ceremony at the August Kranti maidan in Bombay during the Quit India Movement. She was also jailed for her protests against British rule.
- Rajkumari Amrit Kaur: A medical doctor, she was also a leading figure in the Indian independence movement. She served as the Health Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet and did pioneering work in the field of public health.
- Matangini Hazra: She was a 72-year-old revolutionary who participated in the Quit India Movement and was shot by the British while carrying the Indian national flag and chanting “Vande Mataram”. She became a martyr and an inspiration for many other independence activists.
- Tara Rani Shrivastava: She participated in the Quit India Movement and was also jailed for her protests against British rule. After India gained independence, she served as a member of the Constituent Assembly and played an important role in framing the Constitution of India.
These are just some of the many brave women who fought for India’s independence. On this Independence Day, let’s remember them and their sacrifices. Jai Hind!
Who was the First Female Freedom Fighter in India?
Renu Velu Nachiyar was the first female freedom fighter in India. She was born into a royal family in Tamil Nadu and was married to the king of Sri Lanka. When her husband was killed by the British, she took up arms against them and became one of the most celebrated leaders of the Indian independence movement.
Conclusion
The struggle for India’s independence was a long and hard-fought one. There were many women who played a vital role in the fight for freedom, but their contributions have often been forgotten. On every Independence Day, let us remember the brave women who fought for our country’s freedom. Let their stories inspire us to continue working towards a more just and equal society.