Independence Day Special: Bhikaji Cama to Begum Hazrat Mahal, 6 Lesser Known Women Freedom Fighters

Women played a pivotal role in the Indian freedom struggle. Sara Devi, Begum Hazrat Mahal and several other women majorly contributed in the struggle, however, are not talked about enough.

The Indian freedom struggle has several chapters. The struggle, the sacrifice, the good deed, the progress and list of fighters and so much more. Usually, around Independence Day, people like to turnover those pages of history and look into the partition of India that cam at a cost. There were several freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives. However, there are always those unsung heroes who get smudged in the lined of history.

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Here are few of those brave women who helped India gain freedom but their names are not often resounded in the history books.

6 Lesser Known Women Freedom Fighters of India

1. Bhikaji Cama: Bhikaji rustom Cama is known to be one of the most fierce women freedom fighters. A stalwart of India’s Independence struggle & a fierce champion of women’s rights, Madam Bhikaji Cama was first to hoist India’s flag, co-designed by her & Sh Shyamji Krishna Varma, on foreign soil. Hailing from an affluent Parsi Zoroastrian family, she spent a lot of her energy in philanthropic endeavours. Dadabhai Naoroji served as her inspiration to join the freedom struggle. She began the ‘Free India Society’ and wrote the journal ‘Bande Mataram’ to spread her revolutionary thought.
2. Rani Gaidinliu: Rani Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual and political leader who fought against the British rule in Northeast India. She led an armed rebellion against the colonial government when she was just 13 years old and was imprisoned for 14 years. Gaidinliu is considered a hero in the Naga independence movement.
3. Durga Bai Deshmukh: Durga Bai Deshmukh was a social worker and freedom fighter from Maharashtra. She participated in the Quit India Movement and was imprisoned multiple times for her involvement in the struggle. Deshmukh also worked extensively for the upliftment of women and the eradication of untouchability.
4. Basanti Devi: Basanti Devi was a revolutionary from Bengal who played a crucial role in the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Chittagong armoury raid. She was a close associate of Masterda Surya Sen and helped plan the armoury raid. Basanti Devi was also arrested and imprisoned for her activities.
5. Parbati Giri: Parbati Giri was an Odia freedom fighter who participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement. She was arrested and imprisoned several times for her involvement in the independence struggle. Giri also worked extensively for the empowerment of women in post-independence India.
6. Begum Hazrat Mahal: Begum Hazrat Mahal was the wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh. She led the revolt against the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 after the British annexed the Kingdom of Awadh. Begum Hazrat Mahal proclaimed her son as the new ruler and fought fiercely against the colonial forces.
7. Accamma Cherian: Accamma Cherian was a freedom fighter from Kerala who participated in the Quit India Movement. She organised and led several protest marches and demonstrations against the British rule. Cherian was arrested and imprisoned multiple times for her involvement in the independence struggle.

These women freedom fighters made significant contributions to the Indian independence movement, often at great personal risk and sacrifice. Their stories of courage, resilience, and commitment to the cause of Swaraj deserve greater recognition in the annals of Indian history. However, these names often get missed in this pages of history.