15/08/2022
As we celebrate 75 years of Independence, let’s look at the forgotten female freedom fighters of our country.
Let’s look at our unsung heroes and women who inspired generations.
1. Basanti Devi was a participant in the Khilafat movement and the Civil Disobedience movement. She was one of the founding members of the Nari Karma Mandira, which was aimed at educating women.
2. Dr Laxmi Sehgal, also known as or Capt Laxmi Sehgal, was more than a freedom fighter as her efforts pushed against casteism in India. She helped build and command the first all-women regiment of Netaji's Indian National Army, earning the title of Captain Laxmi Sehgal.
3. Sarojini Naidu also known as The Nightingale of India,' was the first woman governor of an Indian state after independence and also the second president of the Indian National Congress.
4. Umabai Kundapur is often considered an unsung hero of the freedom struggle. She was the founder of Bhagini Mandal. In 1946, Mahatma Gandhi appointed her as the agent for the Karnataka branch of the Kasturba Trust.
5. Tara Rani and her husband Phulendu Babu joined Gandhiji’s Quit India movement in 1942.
6. Matangini Hazra, also known as Gandhi Buri, was an integral part of the Quit India and Non-Cooperation movements.
7. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay participated in the Satyagraha of 1930. She played an important role in creating the All-India Women’s Conference.
8. Uda Devi was among the first freedom fighters who revolted against the British regime in the Indian Revolt of 1857. It is said that Uma Devi climbed a tree during the revolt and shot 30-36 British soldiers.
9. Aruna Asaf Ali popularly known as ‘The Grand Old Lady’ of the independence struggle. She is best known for hoisting the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai (then Bombay) during the Quit India movement.
10. Bhikaji Cama was the first person to hoist the Indian flag on foreign soil, in Germany. She met Dadabhai Naoroji while she was residing in London and joined the Indian National Congress. She helped publish and smuggle the newspaper, Bande Mataram, to India.