Women Freedom Fighters
National Movement · महिला स्वतंत्रता सेनानी · 17 facts
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi — one of the greatest heroes of 1857. She fought the British bravely and died in battle at Gwalior on June 18, 1858. British called her 'Mardani'.
Begum Hazrat Mahal — wife of Nawab of Awadh, she led the 1857 revolt in Lucknow after her husband was exiled. She proclaimed her son Birjis Qadr as king.
Savitribai Phule — social reformer and educator; opened the first school for girls with Jyotirao Phule in Pune in 1848. She is considered the first woman teacher of India.
Kasturba Gandhi — wife of Mahatma Gandhi; participated in Satyagraha movements in South Africa and India. She was imprisoned multiple times and died in detention in February 1944.
Sarojini Naidu — called the 'Nightingale of India'; first Indian woman to become President of INC (1925 Kanpur session); first woman Governor of United Provinces (UP) after independence.
Aruna Asaf Ali — hoisted the Indian National Congress flag at Gowalia Tank (Mumbai) on August 9, 1942 after leaders were arrested. Called 'Grand Old Lady of Indian Independence Movement'.
Kalpana Datta (later Kalpana Joshi) — participated in the Chittagong Armory Raid (1930) led by Surya Sen (Masterda). She was one of the few women who actively participated in armed revolt.
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit — Jawaharlal Nehru's sister; multiple times imprisoned during the independence movement; first Indian woman to hold cabinet rank (1937); first woman to head a UN General Assembly session.
Annie Besant — British woman who became the first woman President of INC (1917 Calcutta session); founded the All India Home Rule League (1916) and Theosophical Society (1882 Adyar).
Sucheta Kriplani — participated in Quit India Movement; became the first woman Chief Minister of India — Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1963-67).
Usha Mehta — a young activist during Quit India Movement who ran a secret Congress Radio from Bombay (1942) to broadcast nationalist messages.
Lakshmi Sahgal (Captain Lakshmi) — led the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of INA; later became a prominent doctor and socialist leader; 2002 Presidential candidate.
Pandita Ramabai — social reformer who converted to Christianity; fought for women's rights and education; established the Mukti Mission shelter for destitute women in 1889.
Matangini Hazra — known as 'Gandhi Buri' (Old Woman Gandhi); martyred during Quit India Movement when she led a procession carrying the national flag, shot by police at age 73.
Kamala Nehru — wife of Jawaharlal Nehru; participated actively in the Civil Disobedience Movement; died of tuberculosis in 1936 before independence.
Durgabai Deshmukh — participated in Salt Satyagraha (1930); founded Andhra Mahila Sabha; first woman member of Planning Commission of India.
The contribution of women in India's freedom struggle was immense — from 1857 to 1947, women participated in all major movements, often at great personal sacrifice.