Indian National Freedom Fighters

Indian National Freedom Fighters

The Indian independence movement consisted of efforts by individuals and organizations from a wide spectrum of society to obtain political independence from the British colonial rule through diverse paths of non-violent civil disobedience and armed revolution.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

A significant part of the Indian national movement was carried out by the influence of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Recognized as the Father of the Nation and a visionary of the era, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born into a Bania (Vaishya) family in Porbandar, Gujarat. After studying law in England, he took up a job with an Indian firm in South Africa. While advocating for the rights of Indians in South Africa, Gandhi first conducted 'Satyagraha' his method of non-violent resistance in 1906. To counter the rampant racial discrimination in South Africa, he established institutions such as Phoenix Farm and Tolstoy Farm. Upon returning to India in 1914, Gandhiji emerged as the leader of a nationwide struggle for self-rule, engaging in peaceful protests against the British; this method of struggle came to be known as Satyagraha.

In 1916, Gandhiji established the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which served as the hub for Gandhian 'Satyagraha' movements. He entered the arena of the Indian national struggle in 1917 by addressing the grievances of indigo farmers in the Champaran district of Bihar. The Satyagraha campaign he led against the exploitation by plantation owners proved successful. He also intervened successfully in the 1918 strike by Ahmedabad mill workers demanding wage increases and the Kheda Satyagraha launched by Gujarat farmers seeking tax relief that same year. With this, people began to view Gandhiji as their leader, and many across India started following Gandhian ideals.

Gandhi transformed the Indian National Congress into an effective political instrument for Indian nationalism and spearheaded major non-violent movements, launching the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920 and the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. The later included the historic march to the seashore to collect salt in defiance of the government monopoly (the Dandi March). Although he traveled to England in 1931 for the Second Round Table Conference, the mission proved unsuccessful. During the 1930s, he also campaigned against the discrimination faced by the 'untouchables' in India. Gandhi strove to promote education and encourage cottage industries in rural India. In 1942, the Congress session held in Mumbai adopted the 'Quit India' resolution and launched the movement. While India gained independence in 1947, the partition of the country left him deeply disappointed. In 1948, a religious extremist shot and killed Gandhiji during a prayer meeting at Birla House. His autobiography is titled 'My Experiments with Truth'.

Jawaharlal Nehru (1886 - 1964)

Jawaharlal Nehru was the son of Motilal Nehru and Swarupa Rani. 'Jawahar' means Jewel. He was born in 1886 November 14. Vijayalekshmi Pandit and Krishna Harthising were the sisters of Nehru. He went to London in 1905 and joined the Haro Public School, Then Trinity College in Cambridge and finally at the Inner Temple. He returned to India in 1912 and started practice at the Allahabad High Court. Nehru attended the Bankipore Congress Session in 1912. He met Gandhi in 1916 at the Lucknow session. Nehru became the General Secretary of INC in 1923. Nehru became the president of INC for the first time in 1929. Poorna Swaraj Resolution was passed at this session (Lahore). Nehru became the President of INC for the largest number of times - Lahore (1929), Lucknow (1935), Faizpur (1936), New Delhi (1951), Hyderabad (1953) and Kalyan (1954).

Nehru started a newspaper called 'National Herald'. Nehru headed the interim ministry formed in 1946 September. He became the first Prime Minister of India after independence in 1947. Nehru has the largest term as India's Prime Minister. Important works of Nehru are 'Glimpses of World History', 'The Unity of India', 'The Discovery of India' and 'Bunch of Old letters'. "An Autobiography" is the autobiography of Nehru. ".... At the stroke of the mid night hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom ....", these are the words of Nehru. Nehru's main contribution to the evolution of  India's foreign policy was the acceptance of non-alignment. Non-Alignment meant taking independent decisions on international issues with a sense of neutrality.

Nehru visited China in 1954, both the countries signed the Panch Sheel. 'I want the cultures of all lands to be brought to my house as freely as possible'. He said. The expression 'Trust with destiny' was first used by Jawaharlal Nehru on the occasion of India attaining freedom. "There will be no freedom in this country or in the world so long as a single human being is unfree", words by Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955. Nehru got placed in Indian Postal Stamp in 1964. Nehru died on 27 May 1964 at the age of 75.

Annie Besant (1846 - 1933)

Annie Besant was born in London on October 1, 1847. Her father, William P. Wood, passed away when she was eight years old. Following the death of the head of the family, Annie's mother ran a boarding house and used the income to fund Annie's education. Her mother, a devout woman, married a clergyman named Frank Besant in 1866; however, the marriage was short-lived. In 1879, Annie graduated with a first-class M.Sc. degree in Botany from the University of London. Her association with a Russian woman named Blavatsky led her to become a member of the Theosophical Society. The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875, and its activities in India began in 1878. Annie participated as a representative of the Theosophical Society at the World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in September 1893. She arrived in India that same year. Returning to India in 1896, she introduced the Scout movement in local educational institutions, including schools and colleges.

Olcott was the founding president of the Theosophical Society. After his death, Annie Besant served as the organization's president until the end of her own life. Becoming active in Indian politics from 1914 onwards, she advocated for India's independence. She possessed deep knowledge of Hindu culture and was greatly drawn to Indian culture and traditions. She launched the "Home Rule League" movement with the assistance of Lokmanya Tilak. She rendered invaluable services in the fields of education and social welfare through the Theosophical Society. She presided over the 1919 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress. A journalist by profession, she also served as the editor of the publication "New India." She played a significant role in expanding the Scout movement in India. After living in retirement at Adyar, Madras, since 1931, she passed away on September 20, 1933, at the age of 86.

Aurobindo Ghosh (1872 - 1950)

He was a Bengali who was a government official and lecturer before he started taking active part in the national movement. During the anti-partition struggle, he was one of the leading extremists. In a series of articles published in 1893 called 'New Lamp for old' he severely criticised the loyality of the congressmen. He called INC as begging institute. He raised politics to the plane of spirituality and provided a philosophy to Indian extremist movement. After 1910, he settled down in Pondicherry and engaged himself in philosophical, spiritual and literary activities. However, he continued to provide guidance to the national leaders. His books are Savitri (the longest epic poem in English) and The Life Divine evoked admiration from foreigners. He established Aurobindo Ashram for the spiritual development of his disciples.

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838 - 1894)

He was an eminent bengali novelist who tried to raise revolutionary favour in the new generations through his patriotic writings. His well known novels include Durgesh Nandini, Anandmath, Rajsimha. His famous patriotic poem 'Vande Mataram' greatly inspired the people during the freedom struggle. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee is considered as the prophet of Indian nationalism and builder of modern indian literature. He was deeply involved in the social and political problems of his time.

Chittaranjan Das (1870 - 1925)

C.R. Das, also known as 'Deshbandhu', was an Indian freedom fighter. He was born on November 5, 1870. Both his father and grandfather were lawyers. He began his schooling at the age of nine, passed his matriculation in 1886, and graduated with a B.A. from Presidency College in 1890. He traveled to England in 1890 to study the law. In 1892, he campaigned for Dadabhai Naoroji during the British parliamentary elections. After returning to India with his barrister qualification, he began practicing law at the Calcutta High Court in 1893 and soon gained renown as a lawyer. He married in 1897. The 'Swadeshi Mandali' was an organization launched under Das's leadership in 1905.

In 1908, he argued the case for Aurobindo Ghosh in the Alipore Conspiracy Case; following arguments that lasted nine days, the court acquitted Ghosh. 'Malancha', a collection of lyrical poems, was Das's first literary work. His other works include 'Mala', 'Sagarsangeet', 'Antaryami', and 'Kishor-Kishori'. Das was one of the founders of the English newspaper 'Vande Mataram', which was edited by Aurobindo Ghosh.

He presided over the State Congress session held in Calcutta in 1917. A sharp difference of opinion arose between Das and Gandhiji regarding the boycott of legislative councils during the special Congress session held in Calcutta in 1920. Having resolved the issue before the next session, Das gave up his legal practice to enter politics. Following disagreements with the Congress, Motilal Nehru and Das formed the Swaraj Party on January 1, 1923. Subsequently, Swaraj Party candidates emerged victorious in the elections held in Bengal. However, due to his opposition to the British government, Das declined to form a ministry. When the Belgaum session of 1924 approved entry into the legislative councils, Das was elected as the first Mayor of the Calcutta Corporation. He dedicated his palatial residence in Bhowanipore to the nation. He passed away on June 16, 1925. When a railway locomotive manufacturing plant was established near Calcutta in 1950, it was named the 'Chittaranjan Factory' in his memory.

C. Rajagopalachari (1879 - 1972)

Popularly known as 'C.R' and 'Rajaji', he served as the first and the last Indian Governor General (second Governor General of free india), Lord Mountbatten being the first. Rajagopalachari, a freedom fighter, statesman, shrewd political leader and author was born in the Salem district of Tamil Nadu. After obtaining a law degree from Chennai Law College, he practiced law in Salem.

He joined the national movement in 1919 and concentrated on social reforms. Rajaji gave up his legal practice to participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Gandhiji. He gradually became a trusted follower of Gandhiji and endured imprisonment on several occasions. He worked towards causes such as Khadi production, the eradication of untouchability, and communal harmony. He was one of the staunch supporters of entry of Harijan's into the temples. When Gandhiji was imprisoned, Rajaji took over the editorship of 'Young India'. He worked as chief minister of Madras Presidency from 1937 - 1939. After a brief period away from the Congress, he rejoined the party in 1946. He served as a member of the interim cabinet led by Nehru. He was the Governor of West Bengal in 1947 - 1948. He held the office of Governor-General of India from 1948 until the country became a republic in January 1950. Following the death of Sardar Patel, he became the Union Home Minister. In 1952, at Nehru's behest, he resigned from the Union cabinet to once again serve as the Chief Minister of Madras.

As differences of opinion intensified regarding corruption and nepotism within the Congress, as well as Nehru's policies, Rajaji started a new political party, Swatantra Party in 1959. He was opposed to the introduction of Hindi language in South India. He was the first to advocate that India needed a free-market economy. Although the Nehru government had opposed it, Rajaji's demand was eventually accepted after Manmohan Singh became Finance Minister. In 1967, the DMK came to power in Tamil Nadu by defeating the Congress, with the backing of Rajaji's Swatantra Party. He passed away on December 25, 1972. A good scholar and writer in English and Tamil, he translated Ramayana and Mahabharata into English and Tamil.

Chandra Shekhar Azad (1908 - 1931)

Chandrashekhar, an Indian revolutionary and a close friend of Bhagat Singh, was born in the village of Bhavra in the Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. After completing his primary education, he moved to Varanasi, where he enrolled in a school that provided free board and lodging and studied Sanskrit. Even as a student, he became drawn to the freedom struggle. This was a time when the Non-Cooperation Movement was sweeping across the country; when students in Varanasi participated in the agitation, Chandrashekhar was at the forefront. Arrested at the age of just fourteen, he boldly replied "Azad" (meaning 'Free' or 'Independent') when the court asked for his name. For this act of defiance, he was punished with twenty lashes of a cane. From then on, the name 'Azad' became permanently associated with him.

After leaving Kashi, Chandrashekhar joined forces with other revolutionaries. Azad believed that an armed revolution was essential to end British rule. In 1922, he joined the 'Hindustan Republican Association,' a secret organization; figures such as Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev were also among his associates. To procure arms and ammunition for the revolution, they carried out raids on treasuries and trains. Azad also succeeded in bringing many prominent individuals into the movement. He was involved in numerous daring revolutionary activities, including the assassination of Saunders (the British officer responsible for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai) and the bombing of the Viceroy's train in 1929. Although the police registered cases against hundreds of individuals, Azad alone evaded capture. The very mention of Azad's name struck fear into the police; the government announced a reward of ten thousand rupees for anyone who could capture him, dead or alive.

On February 27, 1931, Chandrashekhar attained martyrdom during a confrontation with the police at Alfred Park in Allahabad—an event that occurred due to a betrayal. His martyrdom infused new vigor into the Indian freedom struggle. Today, Alfred Park is preserved as a national memorial under the name 'Azad Park'.

Dadabhai Naoroji (1825 - 1917)

He was born in Mumbai on September 4, 1825, the son of a Parsi priest. He was a top-ranking student during his academic years. His mother made great sacrifices to fund his education. At the age of eleven, he married Gulbai, who was seven years old. He passed the matriculation examination with first-class distinction. Subsequently, he graduated with a B.A. from Elphinstone College in 1845. In 1850, he became an assistant headmaster at Elphinstone School. In 1851, he launched a weekly publication named 'Satyavadi'. Subsequently, in 1854, he served as a Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Elphinstone College. However, in 1855, he moved to England to work as a company manager.

In 1856, he briefly served as a Professor of Gujarati at the University of London. He established a trading firm named 'Dadabhai Naoroji & Co' in 1860 and also founded the 'India Society' in London. His book, 'Poverty and Un-British Rule in India', is considered one of the finest works on the Indian economy. He campaigned among the British public regarding the misrule in India. Upon returning to India, he accepted an invitation from Malhar Rao, the ruler of Baroda, and became the state's Diwan in 1873. He worked actively with A.O. Hume and W.C. Bonnerjee to organize the inaugural session of the Indian National Congress (INC) in Mumbai in 1885. He presided over the Congress session held in Kolkata in December 1886.

After returning to England in 1886, he yielded to the urging of friends and contested the election for the British Parliament from the Holborn constituency but was defeated. He contested again in 1892 and made history by winning the election to Parliament from Central Finsbury. Upon his return to India, he was accorded a grand reception in recognition of his status as a Member of Parliament. Dadabhai Naoroji was the first Indian to become a member of the British Parliament. He presided over the Lahore session of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1893. He contested the election for the British Parliament again in 1895 but was defeated. He stated that India's goal should be 'Swaraj' and that Hindus and Muslims were the two eyes of India; if one eye lost its sight, the other would also become useless. He passed away on June 30, 1917.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866 - 1915)

Gopal Krishna Gokhale, an Indian freedom struggle leader and the political mentor of Mahatma Gandhi, was born in Kotluk in the Ratnagiri district of the former Bombay State. He lost his father when he was thirteen. After completing his education amidst great hardship, he worked as a teacher. Although he pursued legal studies, he was unable to complete them. Entering the public sphere, Gokhale joined and worked with the Indian National Congress. A speech he delivered at the 1889 session in Mumbai garnered significant public attention.

Elected as the Congress President in 1905, he emerged—like Ranade—as a leader of the moderate faction. He served as a member of both the Bombay Legislative Council and the Central Legislative Council. In 1905, he founded the 'Servants of India Society.' In 1906, he traveled to England as a Congress representative to urge the British government to annul the Partition of Bengal. When the political atmosphere became turbulent following the Partition of Bengal, the Congress split into two factions—Moderates and Extremists—at the 1907 Surat session. Leaders such as Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale remained with the moderate faction.

In 1912, he traveled to South Africa to investigate the condition of Indians there and studied the issues they faced. By the time Gandhiji returned from South Africa, India was poised for a powerful national movement. Gokhale was one of those responsible for this. Had it not been for moderates like Dadabhai Naoroji and Gokhale, leaders like Gandhi or Nehru would not have had a platform to organize their movements. Gandhiji described Gokhale as "a truly honest leader of India." Gokhale passed away on February 19, 1915.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875 - 1950)

Patel was born in Gujarat on October 31, 1875. His father was Shri Jhaverbhai Patel, who had served as a soldier under the Rani of Jhansi during the First War of Independence (1857–1858). The Patel community had migrated to Gujarat from Punjab. Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India," was a freedom fighter. After completing his primary education and matriculation, he pursued legal studies and began practicing law in Godhra. As child marriage was prevalent at the time, he married a girl named Jhaverba at the age of sixteen.

In 1910, he traveled to London for higher studies and obtained a degree as a barrister. Upon returning to India, he practiced law in Ahmedabad. Patel became drawn to Gandhiji after hearing about his principles of non-violence (Ahimsa) and Satyagraha. He met Gandhiji in person, held discussions with him, and became one of his followers. In 1918, farmers in the Kheda district were suffering due to crop failure and facing starvation and financial hardship; yet, the government was pressuring them to pay taxes. Learning of this, Gandhiji sent Patel to the region to assess the situation and understand the details. Under Gandhiji's guidance, Patel led a protest against this injustice. The united strength of the local people and Patel's leadership ensured the protest's resounding success. In 1917, he became a member of the Ahmedabad Municipal Council. He served as the President of the municipality from 1924 to 1928. He rose to prominence through the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928, a protest against tax hikes. In 1929, he was a candidate for the presidency of the Indian National Congress but withdrew his nomination to pave the way for Jawaharlal Nehru. He became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1931. Patel served as the Home Minister in the Interim Government formed in 1946.

Following India's independence on August 15, 1947, he was entrusted with the task of integrating the more than 600 fragmented princely states into the Indian Union. With the assistance of V.P. Menon, a native of Kerala, Patel successfully merged these various princely states into the Indian Union. He passed away on December 15, 1950.

Sucheta Kripalani (1908 - 1974)

She was born on June 25, 1908, in Ambala, Punjab. Sucheta belonged to a family that adhered to and believed in the ideals of the Brahmo Samaj. She completed her primary education in Delhi and Shimla. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Government Women's College, Lahore, and her postgraduate degree from St. Stephen's College, Delhi. She worked as a school teacher and also served as a teacher at Banaras University. Her relative, Dhirendra Majumdar, introduced Sucheta to Acharya Kripalani (J.B. Kripalani). Subsequently, she took a leading role in the activities of the Gandhian ashram established by Acharya Kripalani in Banaras. Although Kripalani and Sucheta developed a mutual affection and wished to marry, their families opposed the union due to an age gap of approximately twenty years. Gandhiji intervened, and their marriage was solemnized in 1936. The wedding took place at Anand Bhavan, the Nehru family home. Afterward, she worked at the Congress office in Allahabad.

In 1940, Sucheta participated in the Individual Satyagraha and was arrested, subsequently serving a two-year prison term. She also took part in the Quit India Movement of 1942. In 1946, she was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Uttar Pradesh. She won a seat in the Lok Sabha during India's first general election in 1952, contesting as a candidate for the Kisan Mazdoor Party. She became the General Secretary of the Congress party in 1959 and served as the Minister for Labour in Uttar Pradesh in 1962. When C.B. Gupta resigned as Chief Minister following factional infighting within the Congress party, Sucheta Kripalani assumed the role of Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in October 1963. She was India's first female Chief Minister. She passed away on December 1, 1974.

Acharya Kripalani (1888 - 1982)

J.B. Kripalani was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement and a dedicated Gandhian. He was born on November 11, 1888, in Sindh, a region that is now part of Pakistan. He completed his primary education and matriculation in Sindh and subsequently enrolled at Wilson College in Mumbai for higher studies. During the protests following the Partition of Bengal in 1905, he was expelled from the college for organizing a protest against his principal, who had made derogatory remarks about the Indian people. He later graduated from Fergusson College in Pune and obtained Master's degrees in History and Economics.

He worked as a professor at Muzaffarpur College in Bihar for five years, starting in 1912. In 1919, he worked at Banaras Hindu University. From 1920 to 1927, he served as the principal of Gujarat Vidyapith, an institution founded by Gandhiji; it was during his tenure there that he earned the title 'Acharya'. He first met Gandhiji during the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917. Subsequently, he became a trusted associate of Gandhiji and a proponent of Gandhian principles. He became an active participant in the Indian independence movement from 1927 onwards. He married Sucheta Kripalani in 1936.

He served as the General Secretary of the Indian National Congress for 11 years. During the internal rift of 1938, he stood by Gandhiji. He was imprisoned during the Quit India Movement in 1942. He became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1946. He was the Congress President when India gained independence. He resigned from the Congress in 1951. In June 1951, he formed the 'Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party'. The Praja Socialist Party (PSP) was formed through the merger of the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party and the Congress Socialist Party. He resigned from the PSP in 1954. He served as a Member of Parliament until 1971. In 1977, he worked actively alongside Jayaprakash Narayan in the formation and subsequent activities of the Janata Party. He authored works such as 'Non-Violent Revolution', 'The Gandhian Way', 'The Indian National Congress', 'The Politics of Charkha', 'The Faithful Years', and 'The Gandhian Critic'. He passed away on March 19, 1982.

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891 - 1956)

Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in the small village of Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to the 'Mahar' community, which was viewed by society at the time as an oppressed and untouchable caste. His primary education was fraught with hardship. He completed his studies while enduring restrictions such as being forced to sit on the floor, being barred from playing with children of upper castes, being forbidden from learning Sanskrit, and being prohibited from walking on public roads or using public wells for drinking water. He passed his matriculation examination in 1907. He was married at the age of fourteen. The King of Baroda granted him a scholarship, which enabled him to obtain degrees in English and Persian. Impressed by Ambedkar, the King of Baroda awarded him a scholarship to pursue higher studies in America, England, and Germany. He earned an M.A., a 'Bar-at-Law' qualification, and a Ph.D. He began practicing law at the Mumbai High Court.

Recognized as a leader of the Harijans, Ambedkar worked for the upliftment of other marginalized communities as well. He authored numerous books and established schools. He advocated for separate electorates for Harijans and championed their cause, despite opposition from Gandhiji. He began his public life in 1926 as a member of the Mumbai Legislative Council. He participated in all three Round Table Conferences and served as a member of the Viceroy's Executive Council. In 1947, he became the first Law Minister of independent India. He submitted the draft constitution in 1948, and the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution on November 26, 1949. He is hailed as the 'Architect of the Indian Constitution.' He embraced Buddhism in 1956 and passed away on December 6 of that same year. His final resting place is known as Chaitya Bhoomi.

Subhash Chandra Bose (1897 - 1945)

Subhash Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha. He began his schooling at the age of five; initially enrolled in a school run by Europeans, he later switched to a Bengali-medium school. He passed his matriculation examination, securing the second rank. He read books authored by renowned personalities such as Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda. He underwent military training after joining a unit of the Territorial Army—a force active within his college. He traveled to Cambridge University for higher studies and passed the Indian Civil Service examination in 1920. He resigned from the service and met Gandhiji, who advised him to approach C.R. Das. C.R. Das became Subhash Chandra Bose's political mentor.

A proponent of leftist ideology, he supported the radical policies of the Congress party, a stance that drew significant opposition from within the organization. He assumed the role of President of the Bengal Congress Committee in 1927. In 1930, he was imprisoned for leading an unauthorized Independence Day procession. He was jailed again in 1931 in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement but was released due to illness. Subsequently, he traveled to Vienna for medical treatment. Later, he conducted campaigns to draw the attention of the European public to the Indian freedom struggle. He married Emilie Schenkl, an Austrian woman he had met in Europe in 1937.

He was elected president of the Haripura Congress session in 1938 and became Congress president again in 1939, defeating Pattabhi Sitaramayya, Gandhi's candidate. Due to internal dissension within the party, he resigned from the presidency and founded an organization called the 'Forward Bloc'. He was arrested for revolutionary activities during the Indian freedom struggle. In 1941, he escaped from prison and reached Germany. On January 26, 1943, he celebrated Indian Republic Day in Berlin. People called him 'Netaji'. He traveled from Berlin to Japan to assume leadership of the INA. There, he formed a government-in-exile. The provisional government known as 'Azad Hind' was formed in Singapore on October 21, 1943. Although the INA gained renown after crossing the Indian border in 1944, they were eventually forced to retreat. He is believed to have died in a plane crash in Japan in 1945; the circumstances of his passing have never been conclusively proven.

Sarojini Naidu (1879 - 1949)

Sarojini Naidu was a poet and a leader of the freedom struggle, known as the 'Nightingale of India'. Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879, into a Bengali family in Hyderabad. She was the daughter of Aghornath Chattopadhyay, a scientist and philosopher, and Barada Sundari Devi, a poetess. Her parents provided her early education, and English was the language spoken at home. She began writing poetry in English at the age of eleven and passed her matriculation exam at twelve. Due to poor health, she spent more than three years at home, devoting her time to reading. An admirer of Shelley's poetry, she attained proficiency in Urdu, Telugu, English, Persian, and Bengali, while also continuing to write poetry. At the age of fifteen, she met Govindarajulu Naidu, and they later entered into a love marriage.

In 1895, she traveled to England for higher studies on a scholarship granted by the Nizam of Hyderabad. She enrolled at King's College, where she read extensively, connected with literary figures, and participated in various conferences, all while evolving as a poet. Although she later went to Switzerland for medical treatment and further study due to recurring health issues, she returned to India without completing her studies. Subsequently, she began publishing her poems regularly in 'The Indian Ladies' Magazine'. She became involved in the Indian independence movement following the Partition of Bengal in 1905. She maintained constant contact with many prominent Indian national leaders. Issues such as youth welfare, workers' rights, and the intersection of nationalism and women's roles deeply influenced her thinking. This courageous woman vehemently opposed the British government's Rowlatt Act of 1919. She was also the woman sent to England as an ambassador for the Home Rule League. She presided over the Indian National Congress (INC) session held in Kanpur in 1925. Having been imprisoned alongside Gandhiji in 1942, she was appointed Governor of Uttar Pradesh upon India's independence on August 15, 1947, becoming the first woman governor in Indian history. In December 1947, she was awarded an honorary degree by the Hindu University. This brave woman, who valued both patriotism and artistic talent, passed away on March 2, 1949. Her literary works include 'The Golden Threshold', 'The Broken Wing', and 'The Feather of the Dawn'. She is also known by the titles 'Bharat Kokilam' and the "Nightingale of India".

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856 - 1920)

Tilak, a prominent architect of modern India and a radical leader within the Congress, was born into an orthodox Brahmin family in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Although he was well-versed in Sanskrit and mathematics and obtained a law degree in 1879, he did not practice law; instead, he became a college professor. Tilak was one of the founders of the Deccan Education Society and Fergusson College in Pune. In 1881, he sought to foster a sense of nationalism among the Indian people through publications such as 'Kesari' (in Marathi) and 'Mahratta' (in English). He served a four-month prison sentence due to the content of articles published in them. He became a member of the Congress in 1889. Tilak, who engaged in social reform initiatives such as the eradication of untouchability and the promotion of widow remarriage, later emerged as a prominent leader of the Congress. In 1898, he was sentenced to 18 months of rigorous imprisonment on charges of sedition. He opposed the Partition of Bengal implemented in 1905. In 1908, he was again charged with sedition and imprisoned for six years in Burma. 'Gita Rahasya' is a famous book he authored while in captivity. His wife passed away during his term of imprisonment. It was in a speech delivered against this imprisonment that Tilak declared, "Freedom is my birthright, and I shall have it." In 1916, he founded the 'Home Rule League' alongside Annie Besant and advocated for Indian self-rule. In May 1920, the Indian people presented him with the 'Tilak Swaraj Fund,' amounting to 3.25 lakh rupees, in Pune. His contributions toward strengthening the Indian National Congress and popularizing the movement during its early stages will always be remembered. The people bestowed the title 'Lokmanya' upon him in recognition of his courageous and selfless service to the nation. Tilak passed away in 1920.

Bhagat Singh (1907 - 1931)

Bhagat Singh was a great revolutionary who fought for India's independence and attained martyrdom. He was born in Banga, in the Lyallpur district of Punjab. His parents were also freedom fighters. Two years after founding the 'Naujawan Bharat Sabha' in 1926, he reorganized it to form a revolutionary political party called the 'Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.' Bhagat's goal was to drive the British out of India and establish an independent, egalitarian government. In 1929, Bhagat Singh and his associates threw bombs inside the Punjab Assembly building. A case was registered against Bhagat Singh and his comrades following their imprisonment; this became known as the Lahore Conspiracy Case. The British executed him by hanging when he was just 24 years old. After his death, his body was not handed over to his relatives; instead, it was secretly cremated on the banks of the Sutlej River. Bhagat Singh stated that his intention was to draw public attention through acts of violence, even though he firmly believed in non-violence and peace. An avid reader, Bhagat Singh also wrote a pamphlet titled "Why I Am an Atheist."

Lala Lajpat Rai (1865 - 1928)

Lala Lajpat Rai was born on January 28, 1865, in the village of Rupar in the Ambala district of Punjab. He received his school education in Rupar and Lahore. He attended Mission High School in Ludhiana and passed his matriculation examination, later completing his Intermediate studies at Lahore College. He obtained a law degree in 1885 and began practicing as a lawyer. During this period, he was also active in the Arya Samaj; Swami Dayanand Saraswati had a significant influence on his life. Through his efforts, Dayanand Anglo-Vedic colleges were established in Punjab. He joined the Congress after attending the 1888 Allahabad session. In 1898, he gave up his legal practice to dedicate himself to public service. When a famine struck the country in 1900, he stepped forward to assist the people suffering from starvation.

In 1907, he was deported for six months due to his revolutionary activities. During World War I, he toured the United States to garner support for the Indian freedom struggle. He authored numerous books and launched a magazine titled 'Young India'. When the Congress split into 'Moderate' and 'Extremist' factions, he emerged as a prominent leader of the Extremist group. The fervor ignited across India by the trio known as "Lal-Bal-Pal"—comprising Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal—was powerful enough to shake the foundations of British rule. He was imprisoned in 1920 for leading the Non-Cooperation Movement. In 1920, he presided over the special session of the Congress held in Calcutta. Although he subsequently worked with the Swaraj Party, he later left it to form the "Congress Independence Party." He was also elected as a member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly. In 1928, he sustained fatal injuries from a lathi charge while protesting against the Simon Commission by waving black flags. He passed away on November 17, 1928. Known as the "Lion of Punjab," his demise caused a massive political upheaval across India.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888 - 1958)

Abul Kalam Azad—who left an indelible mark as a national leader, scholar, revolutionary, author, and journalist—was born in Mecca. When Azad was two years old, his father, Khairuddin, relocated the family to Calcutta. His mother passed away when he was three. His father personally oversaw his primary education. It was only after the age of sixteen that he began learning English. He pursued his studies and subsequently began writing books. Driven by an interest in political and social activism, he adopted the pen name 'Azad'. He worked alongside Aurobindo in the movement against the Partition of Bengal in 1905.

From 1912 onwards, he served as the editor of several publications, including the Urdu weekly 'Al-Hilal'; some of these publications were banned by the British government. His editorials encouraged Muslims to join their Hindu brethren in the struggle against the British. He joined the Indian National Congress and became a follower of Gandhiji, working alongside him during the Non-Cooperation Movement. He was imprisoned multiple times between 1921 and 1945. He served as the Congress President in 1923 and again from 1940 to 1946. He was imprisoned during the Quit India Movement of 1942 and was released in 1945; he was in prison when his wife passed away in 1942.

His statesmanship played a pivotal role in paving the way for India's independence in 1947. Abul Kalam Azad served as the Education Minister in both the Interim Government and the first government of independent India. As a 'Nationalist Muslim', he steadfastly opposed Jinnah's Two-Nation Theory and was against the partition of India. His autobiography, titled 'India Wins Freedom', garnered significant attention for both its historical importance and literary excellence. His 'Tarjuman al-Quran' is a classic of Islamic religious literature. He passed away on February 22, 1958.

V.D. Savarkar (1883 - 1966)

He was born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur, Nashik, Maharashtra. His full name was Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. He received his primary education in his own village and later pursued higher studies in Nashik. Harboring an early resentment towards the British, he founded the revolutionary organization "Abhinav Bharat" while he was a student.

He began his undergraduate studies at Fergusson College in Pune. He started a handwritten magazine named "Aryan" at the college, through which he propagated revolutionary ideas. Under Savarkar's leadership, the first instance of burning foreign-made clothes in India took place at the Pune college in 1905. The British authorities revoked his B.A. degree. Subsequently, he traveled to England to study for the law, having secured a scholarship for the purpose. There, too, he organized students; Savarkar and his group held a meeting in London to commemorate the martyrs of the First War of Independence. Due to these activities, the government withheld his degree.

Although he participated in the freedom struggle, he could not align himself with Gandhiji. In 1910, he was arrested on charges of sedition and brought to India for trial. During the journey, he escaped the ship and reached France, but was captured by French guards and handed over to the British. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to the Andaman Islands, where he endured 14 years of incarceration. The British curtailed his political freedom. Subsequently, he devoted himself to social work and served as the President of the Hindu Mahasabha from 1937.

He was proficient in French, Gujarati, German, Sanskrit, Hindi, and English. He authored books in both Hindi and English; 'The War of Independence of 1857' is one of his renowned works. He composed the epic poem 'Kamala' while imprisoned in the Andaman Islands. He presided over the Central Province Literary Conference (Nagpur, 1937) and Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan (Mumbai, 1938). It was V.D. Savarkar who first described the 1857 revolt as the 'First War of Independence'. Nagpur University (1943) and Pune University (1959) awarded him the D.Litt. degree. He passed away on February 26, 1966.

C.F. Andrews (1871 - 1940)

C.F. Andrews, a leader in the Indian freedom struggle, was born in Newcastle, England. He received his education in Birmingham and Cambridge. Although ordained as a clergyman, he gave up the vocation due to ill health and became a teacher. In 1904, he arrived in India after accepting an invitation to teach at St. Stephen's College in Delhi. While there, he studied Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism, realizing that there were many similarities between Christian principles and Indian religious philosophies. He advocated for India's independence.

Andrews attended the Congress session in Calcutta in 1906 and established connections with personalities such as Naoroji, Gokhale, Tagore, and Swami Shraddhanand. He met Rabindranath Tagore while attending a conference in England in 1911. Upon arriving at Shantiniketan in 1911, Andrews became an admirer of Tagore and worked there as a teacher for a time. After learning about the hardships faced by Indians in South Africa, he traveled there in 1914 and met Mahatma Gandhi; it was during this visit that the bond between Andrews and Gandhi strengthened. When Andrews rushed to investigate the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 firsthand, authorities imposed a ban on his entry; he was arrested after defying this order. He visited Fiji twice to study the issues faced by indentured laborers. Indians in Fiji called him 'Deenabandhu' (Friend of the Poor), a title by which he subsequently became known. He represented the Indian communities in Fiji, Kenya, and British Guiana. When Gandhiji launched the freedom struggle, Deenabandhu joined the movement; he also participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha. When Tagore undertook foreign tours to raise funds for Visva-Bharati University, he entrusted the responsibility of the university to Andrews. He served as the President of the All India Trade Union Congress in 1925 and 1927. His books on India and Gandhiji are well-known. He passed away in Kolkata on April 5, 1940.

Jayaprakash Narayan (1902 - 1979)

Jayaprakash Narayan (JP)—a frontline fighter in the Indian freedom struggle, a socialist, and a leader of the Sarvodaya movement—was born in Bihar. After passing his matriculation, he joined Patna Science College on a scholarship; chemistry and mathematics were his favorite subjects. Following his college studies, he went to America in 1922 and earned several degrees. He returned to India in 1929. At Nehru's invitation, he worked in the labor wing of the Congress party. He faced imprisonment multiple times and also operated underground. It was during his time in prison that the Congress Socialist Party was formed. When the Quit India Movement began in 1942, he escaped from prison, lived in hiding under various disguises, and actively supported the movement. He was recaptured and subjected to solitary confinement. He was released from prison as Britain initiated the process of transferring power. After independence, he severed ties with the Congress; the Socialist Congress formed by J.P. eventually became an opposition party known as the Praja Socialist Party. He emerged as a leader of several major all-India trade union organizations. Inspired by J.P., several dacoits from the Chambal ravines laid down their arms and began leading new lives. He campaigned for civil liberties, human rights, and world peace.

Opposing Indira Gandhi's authoritarian policies, J.P. led a mass movement in Bihar. The people hailed him as 'Lok Nayak' (Leader of the People). When Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in 1975, J.P. was arrested. In 1977, he spearheaded the formation of the Janata Party, which subsequently won the Lok Sabha elections and came to power that same year. Suffering from illness, he underwent surgery in the United States. Upon his return, he settled in Patna. He was deeply disheartened by the collapse of both the Janata Party and its government. He passed away in October 1979.

Ram Manohar Lohia (1910 - 1967)

Ram Manohar Lohia was a freedom fighter, statesman, and socialist theorist. He was born on March 23, 1910, in the Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh. His father, Hiralal, was an activist with the Indian National Congress. After completing his school education, he studied at universities in Mumbai, Banaras, and Kolkata. He subsequently traveled to Germany, where he earned a doctorate in Economics from the University of Berlin. Upon returning to India in 1933, he became actively involved in politics.

An activist with the Indian National Congress, he became a leader of the Congress Socialist Party upon its formation. In 1940, he served a two-year prison sentence for writing anti-war articles. During the Quit India Movement in 1942, when Gandhiji and other leaders were imprisoned, Lohia and his associates took charge of the agitation's activities. He organized an 'Underground Congress Radio' for publicity purposes. Lohia succeeded in providing an ideological framework for the Quit India Movement. He supported Gandhiji's principles of non-violent resistance and the decentralization of power. However, he disagreed with Gandhiji's vision that India could attain independence through negotiation; instead, he believed that only modern technologies could save India.

After independence, he founded the Socialist Party in 1948 and the 'Hind Mazdoor Kisan Panchayat' in 1950. In 1953, he became the General Secretary of the Praja Socialist Party. Lohia was elected to the Lok Sabha twice. He led farmers' agitations in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. He authored numerous books on political and economic issues. Lohia succeeded in shaping a Left-wing movement suited to Indian realities. He passed away in a Delhi hospital on October 12, 1967. Later, the hospital was named after Ram Manohar Lohia.

Surendranath Banerjee (1848 - 1925)

Surendranath Banerjee was a national leader of India and a brilliant orator. He was born on November 10, 1848, into a Brahmin family in Kolkata. After passing his matriculation, he completed his B.A. degree. During his student days, he was influenced by the work and speeches of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. He traveled to England and passed the ICS examination. Upon returning to India, he joined the civil service as a magistrate. He was dismissed from service due to a dispute regarding his age. Subsequently, he was denied permission to appear for the law examination. It was against this backdrop that he became a public activist. In 1875, he became a teacher at a school run by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Alongside teaching, he sought to instill patriotism and a spirit of service to the nation in his students. He served as the Congress President at the 1895 Pune session and the 1902 Ahmedabad session. His presidential address at the Pune session lasted four and a half hours. While serving as the editor of the newspaper 'Bengalee', he was convicted of contempt of court for writing an editorial criticizing a judge who had made remarks that offended Hindu religious sentiments. He spearheaded protests following the Partition of Bengal in 1905, delivering speeches and organizing demonstrations against British rule. Due to the intense agitation led by him, the British government annulled the Partition of Bengal in 1911. He was elected to the Central Legislative Council in 1913. He was known as a moderate leader within the Congress and led a delegation of moderates to England in 1919.

He could not align himself with Gandhiji's Non-Cooperation Movement or the Home Rule Movement led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant. Although many Indian patriots renounced their titles and positions following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, he adopted a stance favorable to the British. He was knighted in 1921 and accepted the position of Minister for Local Self-Government in Bengal. Consequently, he became alienated from the public, and his influence among the people waned; his role as a driving force in the struggle for independence diminished. Banerjee, who served as a minister until 1924, passed away on August 6, 1925. 'Fifty Years of Public Life' is his autobiography. He demonstrated his capabilities as a teacher, orator, editor, and patriot.

Motilal Nehru (1861 - 1931)

Motilal Nehru was the father of Jawaharlal Nehru, a former Prime Minister of India, and a prominent figure in the Indian freedom struggle. His father passed away before he was born, and he was raised under the care of his elder brother. He completed his early education in Delhi, where he studied Arabic and Persian. After his college education, he obtained a law degree and began practicing in Allahabad in 1883. Following the death of his elder brother, Nandlal, he had to shoulder the responsibility of the family. He soon earned a reputation as an accomplished lawyer. In 1900, he purchased a plot of land on Church Road, renovated the existing building, and named it 'Anand Bhavan'. That was a time when the freedom struggle, led by the Indian National Congress, was gaining momentum; he decided to dedicate himself to the service of the nation.

In 1907, he became the President of the Uttar Pradesh Congress. He served as a member of the provincial legislative assembly, which was established in 1909 under the Minto-Morley Reforms. He was deeply outraged by the Jallianwala Bagh incident of 1919, where many unarmed people fell victim to gunfire. He presided over the Congress session held in Amritsar in 1919 and demanded an inquiry into the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He was imprisoned for his role in the boycott of the Prince of Wales's visit to India. Upon his release from prison, he became the All-India Secretary of the Congress Committee. Motilal and Chittaranjan Das formed the Swaraj Party in 1922. Members of the Swaraj Party advocated for complete independence for India. Motilal Nehru also presided over the 1928 Calcutta session of the Congress. He gifted his residence, Anand Bhavan, to the Congress. He was imprisoned in 1930 in connection with the Salt Satyagraha (Salt Law violation movement) but was released shortly thereafter due to failing health. He passed away on February 6, 1931.

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1890 - 1988)

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, famously known as 'Frontier Gandhi', was a great freedom fighter and a follower of Gandhian ideals. He was born in 1890 in the North-West Frontier Province, a region now part of Pakistan. He joined the British Army before completing his education but resigned in protest against the British humiliation of the local people. In 1919, he was imprisoned for protesting against the Rowlatt Act. Ghaffar Khan, a leader of the Pathan people of Afghanistan, arrived in India in 1920. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, he carried the spirit of the Indian freedom struggle beyond the frontier; thus, he came to be known among Indians as 'Frontier Gandhi'. He was also known as 'Badshah Khan'.

He founded the organization 'Khudai Khidmatgar', which means 'Servants of God'. During the freedom struggle, he was imprisoned by the British government and later by the government of Pakistan. He opposed the demand for a separate nation for Muslims. Although he became a Pakistani citizen following the partition of India, he maintained a deep bond with India. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1987. He passed away in Peshawar on January 20, 1988.

Mohammed Iqbal (1877 - 1938)

A prominent poet and writer of Urdu and Persian and an outstanding philosopher of Islam. He preached unity of the Muslims without national boundaries. The idea of Pakistan originated with him. He presided over the Muslim League Session in 1930 and demanded a North West Indian Muslim state. His outstanding writings include Bang-i-Dara and Bal-i-Jibril etc.

Muhammed Ali Jinnah (1875 - 1948)

Founder of Pakistan and a zealous advocate of the two - nation theory which ultimately led to the partition of the country. In his early life, Jinnah was non-communal in his outlook, and opposed seperate electorates for the Muslims. At first he was closely associated with the Congress and the Home Rule League. He tendered resignation from the imperial legislative council in 1920 as a protest against the Rowlatt Act. He opposed to Gandhi's non-cooperation movement. In 1929, he formulated 14 demands for the Muslims. At the Round Table Conferences, he made a serious bid to resolve the communal tangle. In 1934-1935 he became undisputed leader of the Muslim League. Thereafter, he started working vehemently for the creation of seperate state of Pakistan. After the creation of Pakistan, he became the first Governor General of the new state.

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (1900 - 1990)

She was the younger sister of Jawaharlal Nehru. She also took active part in the national movement, especially non-cooperation movement. An outstanding parliamentarian and social worker. She served as India's ambassador to the United Nations Organisation and also acted as the President of the UN General Assembly. She strongly opposed the emergency and supported the Janata Party against Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

Ajay kumar Ghosh (1909 - 1962)

CN Annadurai (1909 - 1969)

Aruna Asaf Ali (1909 - 1996)

Indira Gandhi (1917 - 1984)

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (1903 - 1988)

K Kamaraj (1903 -1975)

VK Krishna Menon (1896 - 1974)

Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar (1889 - 1940)

V.V.Giri (1894 - 1980)

Gulzarilal Nanda (1898 - 1999)

Giani Zail Singh (1916 - 1994)

AK Gopalan (1904 - 1977)

Govind Ballabh Pant (1887 - 1961)

Mahadev Govind Ranade (1842 - 1901)

Yashwantrao Balwantrao Chavan (1913 - 1984)

Chettur Sankaran Nair (1857 - 1934)

Chaudhary Charan Singh (1902 - 1987)

Jagjivan Ram (1908 - 1986)

Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895 - 1986)

Jyoti Basu (1914 - 2010)

SA Dange (1899 - 1991)

Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1913 - 1996)

Purushottam Das Tandon (1882 - 1962)

T Prakasam (1872 - 1957)

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1905 - 1977)

Firoz Shah Mehta (1845 - 1915)

Bipin Chandra Pal (1858 - 1932)

Birsa Munda (1875 - 1900)

Mahadev Desai (1892 - 1942)

Madan Mohan Malviya (1861 - 1946)

Madam Bhikaji Cama (1861 - 1936)

KM Munshi (1887 - 1971)

Morarji Desai (1896 - 1995)

Maithilisharan Gupt (1883 - 1964)

Maulana Muhammad Ali (1878 - 1931)

Maulana Shaukat Ali (1873 - 1938)

Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (1889 - 1964)

Dr Rajendra Prasad (1884 - 1963)

Lala Hardayal (1884 - 1939)

Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904 - 1966)

Liaquat Ali Khan (1895 - 1951)

Vithalbhai Patel (1873 - 1933)

Vinoba Bhave (1895 - 1982)

EMS Namboodiripad (1909 - 1998)

Shankar Dayal Sharma (1918 - 1999)

Singaravelu Chettiar (1860 - 1946)

Srinivasa Ayyangar (1874 - 1941)

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (1901 - 1953)

Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah (1905 - 1982)

Zakir Husain (1897 - 1969)

P Sundarayya (1913 - 1985)

Subramania Bharati (1882 - 1921)

Surya Sen (1894 - 1934)

Rash Behari Bose (1886 - 1945)

Rash Behari Ghosh (1845 - 1921)

BC Roy (1882 - 1962)