Indian Women Freedom Fighters: Role of women in India’s independence is equally important to our men freedom fighters Even after 68 years of attaining freedom, the people who witnessed that era and also actively participated in the struggle to freedom still feel the intensity and resentment towards the struggle of freedom of our country “India”.
History of freedom has seen many brave women who with their intelligence have managed to walk shoulder to shoulder with the men to attain the freedom.
Some of the brave women freedom fighters are:
- Rani Lakshmibai (19 November – 17 June 1858)
She has her name written in history for her brave initiative in the struggle for freedom. Rani Lakshmibai was the Queen of Maratha Empire and ruled the state of Jhansi. She had participated in the first freedom rebellion of 1857. She along with her son, Damodar Rao died fighting bravely in Gwalior Fort from the Britishers.
2. Kasturba Gandhi (11 April 1869- 22 February 1942)
She was the wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Kasturba Gandhi also played an active role in fighting for the civil rights and also in the independence of India. She taught Indians the basic lesson of health, Hygiene, discipline, Reading and writing.
3. Sarojini Naidu (13 February 1879- 2 March 1949)
She was also known as the nightingale of India and actively contributed her bit by joining politics at the time of 1905 Bengal Partition. she traveled many places making women aware of the freedom struggle. She was the first women President of India National Congress. Sarojini Naidu considered as one of the most active women freedom fighters of India.
4. Kamala Nehru ( 1 August 1899- 28 February 1936)
She was the wife of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. At the time of Non-Cooperation movement in Allahabad 1921, Kamala Nehru had organized a group of women who picketed liquor and shops selling foreign clothes. Many times she also went with Jawaharlal Nehru to deliver motivational speeches.
5. Durga Bai Deshmukh (15 July 1909- 9 May 1981)
Durga Bai Deshmukh was greatly inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and hence, played a vital role in the Satyagraha movement. When she was an active member of the Planning commission, she launched a central Social Welfare Board and also greatly contributed to improving the existing conditions of education, women, children, handicap, etc.
6. Usha Mehta Savitribai Phule (25 March 1920- 11 August 2000)
She had started the Congress Radio, which was also called Secret Congress Radio, which remained active during the few months of Quit India movement of 1983. She was also inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
7. Sucheta Kripalani ( 25 June 1908- 1 December 1974)
At the time of partition riots in India, she actively worked with Mahatma Gandhi. She had also joined Indian National Congress. Sucheta also sand Vande Mataram in the Constitute assembly. She was also made the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh post-independence.
8. Aruna Asaf Ali (16 July 1904- 26 July 1996)
She was a well-known freedom fighter who also participated in the movements during the Salt Satyagraha. Aruna was also the elected member of Indian National Congress. Because of her active participation in various protests and strikes, she was imprisoned.
9. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (18 August 1900- 1 December 1990)
She was the sister of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and had contributed a very important role in the politics. Vijaya was the first women president of United Nations General Assembly and also the first woman ambassador in the world.
10. Begum Hazrat Mahal (1820 7 April 1879)
She was the Queen of Awadh which was also one of the princely states who fought against British East India Company. She also played a major role in the 1857 rebellion. A royal lady marked her name in Indian Women Freedom Fighters