Women Freedom Fighters of India

India was ruled by the East India Company for about 200 years under the dominance of the Britishers. India gained independence on 15th August 1947, and during this process, many freedom fighters had to sacrifice their lives during the movements and fights against the British. These brave souls helped bring us freedom and made India an independent country. The role played by these freedom fighters are unforgettable and considered to be an important chapter in the history of India. 

In this article, we will talk about the 10 forgotten freedom fighters of India who played a major role in India’s movement towards freedom. These lady freedom fighters of India made several sacrifices and worked hard selflessly to set India free from British rule.

List of 10 Indian Female Freedom Fighters

The contribution made by women freedom fighters during the Quit India Movement can not be overlooked. These courageous and patriotic souls played a major role in raising their voice against British rule and even took to the streets to take part in several processions. These women were known for their intense patriotism and courage during their fight for freedom and are seldom talked about for the selfless hard work and sacrifices that they made. The discussion about the Indian movement of independence would remain incomplete without talking about the significant contributions made by the female freedom fighters. Given below are the list of ten female freedom fighters of India:

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Matangini Hazra

Also known as Gandhi Buri, Matangini Hazra is famous for her participation in the Quit India Movement and Non-Cooperation Movement. She was known to continue her lead with the Indian flag while being shot thrice during one of the processions and kept shouting "Vande Mataram” till the end. Matangini Hazra was the first woman freedom fighter in Independent India whose statue was put up in Kolkata in the year 1977. Matangini’s statue was put up at the spot where she was killed during the movement in Tamluk,, and even a road in Kolkata is named after her as Hazra Road.

Kanaklata Barua

One of the bravest souls of pre-independent India was Kanaklata Barua, also known as Birbala. She was one of the strongest and youngest Indian freedom fighters from Assam who took a leading part in the Quit India Movement in 1942 at Barangabari.  Kanaklata stood with the Indian Flag at the head of the women volunteers’ line with an aim to hoist the flag at the British dominated Gohpur Police Station. She kept shouting the slogan “British imperialists should go back”  but was prohibited by the Britishers. Even though Kanaklata tried her best to convince the Britishers regarding her noble intentions, she had to sacrifice her life for her motherland at the age of 18 when they shot her during the movement.

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Aruna Asaf Ali

Aruna Asaf Ali was a freedom fighter who actively participated in the Independence Movement of India. Also called ‘The Grand Old Lady’ of the Independence Movement, Aruna Ali is remembered for hoisting the Indian National Congress flag during the Quit India Movement at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay. She even participated in the Salt Satyagraha movement along with other protest marches that were held against the Britishers and was imprisoned. She was also known for launching a hunger strike and organising protests against the ill-treatment given in the prisons.

Bhikaiji Cama

Born on 24th September 1861 to a Parsi family in Bombay, Bhikaiji Rustom Cama is known to be an eminent personality of the Indian Nationalist Movement. She was known as Madam Cama, who played a major role in emphasising equality between men and women. She even donated all the assets that she owned for an orphanage to help out young girls. Being an Indian ambassador, Bhikaji Cama is also known for hoisting the Indian National flag in Germany in 1907.

Tara Rani Srivastava

Tara Rani Srivastava was born in Saran, Bihar, to a simple family. She got married to Phulendu Babu and joined the Quit India Movement in 1942 along with her husband. She actively participated in the regulated protests and planned to raise the Indian flag on the roof of the Siwan Police Station. She, along with several freedom fighters, began their march towards the Siwan Police Station. The crowd continued marching, shouting ‘Inquilab’ until the police opened fire and her husband, Phulendu, was hit. But Tara Rani kept fighting back and marched towards the station while holding the Indian flag and shouting ‘Inquilab’. She lost her husband during the Quit India Movement but continued to support the freedom struggle for a long time.

Begum Hazrat Mahal

Begum Hazrat Mahal played a major role in fighting against the Britishers. Begum Hazrat Mahal also declared war against the British East India Company under the Revolt of 1857, which is popularly known to be the first war of Independence. She along with the support of Raja Jailal Singh, captured Lucknow and declared her 14-year-old son as Prince Birjis Qadr, the ruler of Oudh, but he could not last for long as Lucknow was once again captured by the Britishers along with most parts of Oudh.

Kittur Rani Chennamma

Born in a small village of the Belagavi district of Karnataka, Kittur Rani Chennamma was a valiant freedom fighter of India. She was also the first woman activist to fight for India’s independence and never feared to protest for the wrong. Kittur Rani Chennamma belonged to the Lingayat community and was known to be a proficient lady in horse riding, sword fighting and archery. She learned all of these from a very young age. Later, at the age of 15, Chennamma got married to Raja Mallasarja, who belonged to the Desai family.

After the death of her husband and son, Rani Chennamma had to take responsibility for her kingdom along with carrying out the uphill task. After the Doctrine of Lapse was imposed on the territory, she also had to save her kingdom from the British East India Company in 1824. Although Rani Chennamma tried her best to avoid the war initially, the request was turned down by the Britishers. At last, Rani Chennamma was not able to succeed in the final war, but her brave deeds evoked the fire of freedom in the heart of every other freedom fighter.

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

Kamaladevi was a social reformer who played a very important role in India’s fight for Independence. She is known to be the first Indian woman who was arrested by the British government for her active role as a patriotic leader. She was one of the most remarkable lady freedom fighters who was endearingly referred to as a social reformer. Kamaladevi was famous for her fearless contributions and also for improving the socio-economic conditions of Indians by reviving and promoting handicrafts and theatre. She even participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and became the first woman candidate for Legislative Assembly. She also established the All India Women’s Conference. 

Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi

Popularly known as ‘Manikarnika’, Rani Laxmibai was the daughter of a Varanasi Brahmin priest. She was named Lakshmibai after she married Maharaja Gangadhar Rao of Jhansi in the year 1842. After the death of her husband in 1853, the British, under Lord Dalhousie’s Doctrine of Lapse, annexed her kingdom, Jhansi. The Britishers also refused to accept the right of her son Damodar Rao to rule as the legal heir. Lakshmibai was even forced by the Britishers to move out of the Jhansi fort, but she fought valiantly in 1857 with a sword in hand and her child tied to her back. 

Laxmibai fought bravely against all the attacks by the neighbouring princes. When the British forces attacked Jhansi in the year 1858, Laxmibai fled to Kalpi with her son and joined Tatya Tope. In the same year, Laxmibai even fought the battle of Kotah-ki-Serai dressed in a man’s disguise but was unfortunately shot dead by the British. She is regarded as one of the bravest and strongest freedom fighters of India, and her sacrifices will always be remembered in our hearts.

Sucheta Kriplani

Known as a Gandhian, Sucheta Kriplani was an Indian freedom fighter and politician who fought against the Britishers. She later joined the Indian National Congress and is known to be the first woman Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, India. In the year 1940, Sucheta Kriplani also founded the All India Mahila Congress. On 15th August 1947, when India became independent from British Rule, Sucheta Kriplani sang Vande Mataram in the Constituent Assembly. 

So, these were some of the strongest known women freedom fighters of India who played a major role in bringing back our freedom and motherland from the hands of Britishers. The sacrifices made by them will always be remembered.