Women Freedom Fighters of India 1857 to 1947, List, Names, Contributions

Women Freedom Fighters of India: The role of women in the Indian freedom struggle cannot be undermined. Many courageous women came forward and raised their voices against the injustices being done by the British. Women came onto the streets to hold demonstrations and raised their voices on the radio and held lectures in villages to educate the masses. This article is going to cover the women freedom fighters who dedicated their lives to our nation. These are the women who fought with bravery and ignored all their pain all for the sake of winning India’s freedom.

List of Women Freedom Fighters of India 1857 to 1947

Here is a list of our Women Freedom Fighters who fought for their nation: 

Top 10 Female Freedom Fighters of India

The contributions and key highlights of major important Women Freedom Fighters of India has been provided below:

1. Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi

• Remembering 19 November 1828-1858
• Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi is remembered as an important figure from the revolt of 1857. 
• She fought against the British who wanted to annex Jhansi under Doctrine of Lapse. She is remembered as a courageous queen who showed signs of patriotism, self-respect and perseverance and courage till her very last breath. 

2. Sarojini Naidu

• Remembering 13 February 1879- 2 March 1949
• Sarojini Naidu is known as the ‘Nightingale of India’.
• Was elected as the President of Indian National Congress in 1925.
• Important figure from Khilafat (Indian Disobedience) Movement and Quit India Movement. 

3. Madam Bhikaji Cama

• Remembering 24 September 1861- 13 August 1936. 
• Madam Bhikaji Cama unfurled the first Indian National Flag at the International Socialist Conference in Germany in 1907.

Also Read: Unification of Germany

4. Begum Hazrat Mahal (1820–1879)

• Also known as the Begum of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal played an important role in India’s First War of Independence 1847
• She joined forces with leaders like Nana Saheb and Tantia Tope during the revolt. In 1984, the Government of India honored her legacy by issuing a stamp in her memory.

Also Read: Annexation of Awadh

5. Annie Besant (October 1, 1847 – September 20, 1933)

• Having an Irish origin and becoming a prominent member of the Theosophical Society, Annie Besant became deeply involved in Indian politics and education.
• Annie Besant was the first woman to serve as President of the Indian National Congress. In 1916, she launched the Indian Home Rule Movement and founded the newspaper New India. 
• Besant also contributed to the education sector by establishing schools and colleges, including the Central Hindu College High School in Banaras (1913).

6. Aruna Asaf Ali (July 16, 1909 – July 29, 1996)

• Aruna Asaf Ali was a key Congress Party member and an active participant in India’s independence movement. She took part in public marches during the Salt Satyagraha and edited In-Qilab, a monthly journal of the Indian National Congress. Known as the Grand Old Lady of the Independence Movement, she famously hoisted the Indian National Congress flag in Bombay during the Quit India Movement.

7. Usha Mehta (March 25, 1920 – August 11, 2000)

• Usha Mehta was a prominent freedom fighter, best known for broadcasting Congress Radio, an underground radio station during the Quit India Movement.
• She played a crucial role in spreading the message of India’s fight for independence.

8. Kasturba Gandhi (April 11, 1869 – February 22, 1944)

• Kasturba Gandhi was an influential leader in the Women’s Satyagraha movement and actively participated in the Champaran Satyagraha with indigo workers. 
• She also contributed to the No Tax Campaign in Bihar and was part of the Rajkot Satyagraha, advocating for India’s freedom.

Also Read:- 150 Years of Vande Mataram

9. Kamala Nehru (1899–1936)

• The wife of Jawaharlal Nehru, Kamala Nehru was deeply involved in India’s freedom movement. 
• She organized parades, led protests against liquor and foreign cloth shops, and played a key role in the No Tax Campaign in the United Provinces, contributing significantly to the movement’s success.

10. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (August 18, 1900 – December 1, 1990)

• Daughter of Motilal Nehru, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was an important leader in the Indian National Congress. 
• She joined the Non-Cooperation Movement to oppose British rule and was arrested during both the Quit India Movement (1942) and earlier in 1940. After India’s independence, she represented the nation at various international conferences.

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