Women Freedom Fighters of India: 10 Remarkable Ladies Who Shaped Our History

Table of Content

1. Rani Lakshmi Bai
2. Begum Hazrat Mahal
3. Kasturba Gandhi
4. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
5. Sarojni Naidu
6. Aruna Asaf Ali
7. Madam Bhikaji Cama
8. Kamla Chattopadhyay
9. Kittur Chennamma
10. Savitri Bai Phule

India has a long history of courageous women who have fought for freedom, justice, and equality. From Rani Lakshmi Bai to Sarojini Naidu, there have been hundreds of female freedom fighters in India who have made immense contributions to the country’s independence. So, let's look at the top 10 freedom fighters of India and explore their iconic personality and their struggles against colonial rule, and how they helped shape the nation as we know it today. So without further ado, let’s dive right in and learn more about the inspiring women Indian freedom fighters that helped shape our nation's independence!

Rani Lakshmi Bai

She was one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and became an icon of resistance to the British Raj for Indian nationalists. Her father was a learned Brahmin who taught her to read and write at a young age. When she was just eight years old, she was married off to the much older Raja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar, the ruler of Jhansi.

The couple had a happy marriage, however, tragedy struck when Raja Gangadhar Rao died suddenly in 1853, leaving Rani Lakshmi a widow at the age of 25.

Rani Lakshmi refused to give up her kingdom and vowed to protect it from the British. She became one of the greatest women indian freedom fighters of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and fought bravely against the British forces. However, she was defeated and Jhansi fell to the British.

Rani Lakshmi continued to fight against the British even after the fall of Jhansi. She was killed in battle in 1858 but her heroic deeds inspired many other Indians to fight for their freedom.

Begum Hazrat Mahal

She was one of the key figures in the 1857 War of Independence. She was the Begum of Awadh and the wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. When the British exiled her husband and took over control of Awadh, she became the leader of the resistance movement. She organized the rebel forces and led them in several key battles against the British. In doing so, she helped to spark a nationwide rebellion against British rule. After a long and hard-fought battle, however, the rebels were ultimately defeated and Begum Hazrat Mahal was forced to flee. Nevertheless, her contribution to India's fight for independence is undeniable.

She is remembered as a brave and determined women Indian freedom fighters who fought for her people's freedom. Her legacy continues to inspire people who fight for justice and equality.

Kasturba Gandhi

Born into a wealthy family in 1869 in India, Kasturba Gandhi married Mohandas Gandhi at the age of 13 and had four children with him. When Mohandas Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned in South Africa in 1906, Kasturba Gandhi went to live there with him and their children. She became active in the struggle for Indian rights and was also jailed several times. But she continued to stand by her husband's side and fight for India's independence until the very end. Her legacy is one of strength, courage, and determination, which made her one of the best female freedom fighters of India.

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was one of the most prominent lady freedom fighters of India. She was born into a wealthy and influential family in Uttar Pradesh, and she was educated in England and Switzerland. She returned to India after her studies, and she became involved in the Indian independence movement. She was an active member of the Indian National Congress, and she worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi. She was arrested several times during the struggle for independence, but she never gave up. After India gained independence, she served as the first Ambassador to the Soviet Union, and she later served as the President of the United Nations General Assembly. She was a fearless leader who fought for India's freedom, and she is an inspiration to all Indians.

Sarojni Naidu

Also known by the sobriquet the Nightingale of India, Sarojni Naidu was one prominent female freedom fighters of India and an exceptional poet. She was born in Hyderabad to Aghorenath Chattopadhyay, a scientist, and Baradasundari Devi, a Bengali poetess. Naidu passed her Matriculation Examination at the age of thirteen and went on to study first at Elphinstone College, Mumbai and later at King's College London. After returning to India, she married Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu and took up various causes such as women’s empowerment, fighting poverty and illiteracy. She also joined the Indian National Congress and participated in the Quit India Movement. After India achieved independence from British rule in 1947, she became the governor of Uttar Pradesh, becoming the first woman to hold this office in any Indian state.

Aruna Asaf Ali

Aruna Asaf Ali was a remarkable lady freedom fighter of India and political leader who is best known for her participation in the Quit India Movement of 1942. She was born in Kolkata to a wealthy family and was educated at Oxford University. After returning to India, she married fellow freedom fighter Asaf Ali and became involved in the Indian National Congress.

Ali was arrested in 1932 for her involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement and spent nine months in prison. She was arrested again in 1942 for her participation in the Quit India Movement and spent two years in prison. Upon her release, she remained active in politics and served as the Mayor of Delhi from 1958-1967. She also worked tirelessly to improve the lives of women and minorities in India.

Madam Bhikaji Cama

Madam Bhikaji Cama is an unsung hero of India's freedom struggle, a dedicated patriot and a woman who was at the forefront of Indian independence. Her life story is one that has been forgotten by many, but she played an integral role in India’s fight for freedom both before and after its eventual success. Madam Bhikaji Cama was involved in the home-rule movement which mobilized the Indian people to demand their rights from the British Raj. She was instrumental in launching a democratic movement, demanding equal rights for all Indians, regardless of religion or gender, which made her one exemplary female freedom fighters of India. 

Kamla Chattopadhyay

Born in 1889, Kamla Chattopadhyay grew up in a family with strong nationalist leanings. Her father, Dwarkanath Chattopadhyay, was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and Motilal Nehru. Kamla was deeply inspired by her father's work and became involved in the nationalist movement from a young age. As a young woman, Kamla Chattopadhyay married freedom fighter Jatindra Mohan Sengupta. The couple had two children together. However, their marriage was short-lived as Jatindra Mohan Sengupta passed away just a few years after they got married.

This tragedy did not deter Kamla Chattopadhyay from her work towards India's independence.

She continued to be actively involved in the nationalist movement and eventually joined the Indian National Congress. She quickly rose through the ranks of the party and became one of its most prominent leaders. After India achieved independence, Kamla continued to fight for the rights of women and minorities. She was also elected to the Constituent Assembly, where she helped draft the Constitution of India, indeed a remarkable female freedom fighters of India. 

Kittur Chennamma

Rani Kittur Chennamma was one of the first women to lead an armed revolt against the British in India. She is revered as a national hero in Karnataka, and her story is an inspiration to all Indians who fight for their freedom.

Born into a royal family in 1778, Rani Kittur Chennamma was married at a young age to Raja Mallasarja of Kittur. When her husband died, she took over as ruler of Kittur and ruled with wisdom and compassion.

In 1824, the British decided to annex Kittur into their empire. Rani Kittur Chennamma refused to accept this and led her army against the British forces. Though she was ultimately defeated, her courage and determination inspired other Indians to fight for their freedom.

Rani Kittur Chennamma's legacy continues to inspire Indians today. She is a symbol of strength and courage, and her story reminds us that even when faced with overwhelming odds, we must never give up fighting for our rights.

Savitri Bai Phule

Savitri Bai Phule was an Indian social reformer who fought against the oppression of women and the lower castes in India. She is best known for her work in education and her fight against the caste system.

Born into a wealthy family, Savitri Bai Phule was married off at a young age. She soon became aware of the inequalities faced by women and the lower castes in India. This led her to become a social reformer.

Savitri Bai Phule opened up the first school for girls in Pune, Maharashtra in 1848. She also worked towards improving the education of women and lower-caste children. In 1873, she founded the Satyashodhak Samaj, which worked towards abolishing the caste system.

Savitri Bai Phule's work was instrumental in bringing about social changes in India. She is remembered as one of the most important social reformers and the best female freedom fighters of India.

India is a country of strong-willed women who have been playing a key role in the nation’s development since its independence. These courageous women have taken to the streets and fought for what’s right, often at great risk to themselves. They are an example of strength and courage that we can all draw inspiration from. On that note, we wrap this blog with a high sense of inspiration from our women freedom fighters of India.

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