Women Freedom Fighters of India
Indian independence movement was world’s largest movement for freedom against British Empire in India. You must have heard courageous stories of our brave freedom fighters. Interestingly the gender discrimination wasn’t noticed much in Indian freedom struggle. You might surprise to know the fact that women freedom fighters contributed equally with men.
All those women freedom fighters are our national heroes who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. The patriotism they followed was highest emotional attachment among citizens for India.
Here we are sharing some stories for those brave women, who participated in Indian National Movement for our freedom. These are the top ten women freedom fighters of India:
Top Ten Women Freedom Fighters of India
Usha Mehta (25-03-1920 – 11-08-2000)
The great lady was popular among masses with her name Usha. She has known among the first women freedom fighters in India. Usha Mehta established an underground radio station which was named as Congress Radio. Congress Radio was active during the Quit India Movement, and she has been imprisoned for going against the British Empire, also jailed in Yervada, Pune.
Durga Bai Deshmukh (15-07-1909 – 09-05-1981)
Durga Bai was a great supporter to Mahatma Gandhi during the Satyagraha Movement. Her contribution to Indian freedom struggle and the social and political activities gave momentum to women participation in Indian Independence, after 1947 she got elected as Lok Sabha member and the member of Planning Commission of India (now dissolved and new organization constructed with the name: Niti Aayog). During her regime in Planning Commission, she had launched a central social welfare board through she derived better education for children and women, rehabilitation for needy persons.
Aruna Asaf Ali (16-07-1909 – 26-07-1996)
Lady Aruna Asaf Ali is known for her activism towards Indian Freedom. She participated in many national movements along with Salt Satyagraha and were a proactive member of Indian National Congress. Her continued protest against British rule took her to jails for imprisonment. She raised voice against the indifferent of defendants in Tihar Jail.
Sucheta Kripalani (25-06-1908 – 01-12-1974)
Women Freedom Fighter Sucheta Kripalani was close to Mahatma Gandhi during the partition riots. After Independence, she moved to mainstream politics where she served for many years. Once she was also elected the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh State.
Sarojini Naidu (13-02-1879 – 02-03-1949)
The Nightingale of India Sarojini Naidu played a very important role in India’s Independence. She was an active politician during the partition of Bengal in 1905. Sarojini Naidu was the first women Governor of United province of Agra and Oudh. Also, the second women to become the President of Indian National Congress.
Top 5 Women Freedom Fighters of India
Kasturba Gandhi (11-04-1869 – 22-02-1942)
Kasturba Gandhi was the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, her contribution, and sacrifice for independence is world known. Lady Kasturba Gandhi traveled a lot with Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle of Indian National Movement. She also supported the education, health, and sanitation in India. She was also into Handicraft works for swadeshi movement.
Madam Bhikaiji Cama (24-09-1861 – 13-08-1936)
Heard About the Bhikaji Cama Place Delhi, named after Madam Bhikaji Cama was a Parsi woman who contributed in the freedom struggle of India. She was the one who raised Indian flag in the parliament of Germany. She helped in generating awareness to world people about the problem of slavery in India.
Annie Besant (01-10-1857 – 20-09-1933)
A British Scholar who turned her support to Indian Independence. She joined theosophical society in 1890 and later become its president. She strongly condemned the acts of East India Company and was a true women freedom fighter of India. After joining Indian National Congress she jumped in the war against slavery and helped to clear the route of India’s Independence in 1947
Begum Hazrat Mahal (1820 – 07-04-1879)
Queen of a Princely State in India Begum Hazrat Mahal was one of the first women freedom fighters in India. She played an important role in 1847 revolution against British Rule. Karl Marx praised Begum and said that “during the national liberation uprising of 1857-1859 in India headed the rebels”.
Rani Lakshmibai (19-11-1828 – 18-06-1958)
Brave Rani Laxmibai was the queen of Jhansi (Maratha Ruled State) born as Manikarnika. She is known for her contagious fights against British Empire in India. Rani Laxmibai refused to give her Jhansi to Britishers and jumped into war. She was one of the most famous leading personalities of the first war of India’s independence that started in 1857.