Durgawati Devi (Durga Bhabhi), Biography, Contributions & Role in Freedom Struggle

Durgawati Devi (Durga Bhabhi) was an Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter who actively participated in the armed struggle against British colonial rule. She became associated with the Naujawan Bharat Sabha and revolutionary networks linked with the HSRA. She is remembered for helping Bhagat Singh escape Lahore in disguise after John P. Saunders was killed in 1928.

Durgawati Devi (Durga Bhabhi) Biography

Durgawati Devi’s life combined family responsibilities with revolutionary activities and direct participation in the freedom struggle.

• Birth and marriage: Durgawati Devi (Durga Bhabhi) was born on 7 October 1907 in Allahabad. She was married to Bhagwati Charan Vohra at about 10 or 11 years of age. Vohra was an HSRA member.
• Revolutionary association: Durgavati Devi became an active member of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha. She gained prominence during the 11th anniversary observance of Kartar Singh Sarabha’s martyrdom in Lahore on 16 November 1926.
• Escape of Bhagat Singh: On 19 December 1928, Sukhdev approached Devi for assistance. She travelled with Bhagat Singh from Lahore while posing as his wife, with her son Sachin accompanying them. Bhagat Singh had shaved his beard and cut his hair to avoid identification. Rajguru travelled separately as their servant. They travelled towards Cawnpore, continued through Lucknow, and eventually reached Howrah.
• Support for revolutionaries: Durgawati Devi spent her savings of ₹5,000 on revolutionary activities and assistance to Indian revolutionaries. She also sold ornaments worth ₹3,000 to support Bhagat Singh and his comrades during their trial.
• Jatin Das funeral: After Jatin Das died following a 63-day jail hunger strike, Devi led his funeral procession from Lahore towards Calcutta. Large crowds joined the procession along the route.
• Death: Durgawati Devi died in Ghaziabad on 15 October 1999 at the age of 92. Her role remains significant in understanding women’s participation in India’s revolutionary movement.

Durgawati Devi Contributions

Durgawati Devi directly supported revolutionary operations and undertook dangerous actions against British officials during the final phase of colonial rule.

• Attempt against Lord Hailey: After Bhagat Singh surrendered following the 1929 Assembly bombing, Devi attempted to assassinate Lord Hailey. Hailey survived, while some of his associates were injured.
• Bomb-making activities: Durgavati Devi and Bhagwati Charan Vohra assisted Vimal Prasad Jain in operating an HSRA bomb-making facility at Qutub Road, Delhi. It operated under the name ‘Himalayan Toilets’ as a cover.
• Use of explosives: The revolutionary facility handled picric acid, nitroglycerine and fulminate of mercury. This reflected Devi’s involvement in the technical and organisational side of revolutionary activities.
• Attack in Bombay: On 8 October 1930, Devi fired at a British sergeant and his wife near Lamington Road in South Bombay. The action was linked to the death sentences of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.
• Arrest and imprisonment: British authorities eventually arrested Durgawati Devi in September 1932. She was imprisoned for three years because of her revolutionary activities.
• Life after independence: In 1935, Devi moved to Ghaziabad and worked as a teacher. She later established a school for poor children in Lucknow and lived quietly after independence.

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