Role of Women In The Indian National Movements

Role of women in India's freedom movement

Contribution of Women in Indian Freedom Movement: The battle of Indian freedom struggle was not won only by the participation of men, but the role of women in this Mahayagya is also noteworthy. Women have played an important role in the freedom movement of India. Against the British, the daughters of the country performed their duty shoulder to shoulder with the men. He took steps against the British, showing an unprecedented display of valor and courage and ability of leadership.

During the rebellion of 1857, the women of the royal family united with the men to fulfill the dream of independent India. Prominent among them were Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore and Maharani Laxmibai of Jhansi. After the defeat of the year 1857, the British East India Company was replaced by the British Government and British rule became a historical fact. History is witness that in India's freedom struggle where men took part in large numbers, women also did not lag behind.

From time to time, women used their bravery and courage to walk shoulder to shoulder with the men. Heroes like Rani Lakshmi Bai and Rani Chennamma gave their lives while fighting the British, while heroes like Sarojini Naidu and Lakshmi Sehgal served even after the country's independence. Today in this chapter you will get general knowledge information about the women who played a major role in freeing India.

List of prominent women of India's independence movement:

• Usha Mehta: Freedom fighter Usha Mehta played an active role in the freedom movement of India. Congress Radio was very active for a few months during the Quit India Movement (1942). She became famous throughout the country for running the Intelligence Congress Radio during the Quit India Movement. Due to this radio, he had to stay in Yerwada Jail in Pune. She was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Durga Bai Deshmukh: Durgabai Deshmukh was India's freedom fighter, social worker and wife of independent India's first Finance Minister Chintamanrao Deshmukh. Durga Bai Deshmukh participated in Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha movement and played an active role in India's independence as a lawyer, social worker, and a politician. He had laid the foundation of a 'Central Social Welfare Board' from the field of education to the rehabilitation of women, children and needy people and to improve their condition.
• Aruna Asaf Ali: Aruna Asaf Ali was an Indian freedom fighter. Her birth name was Aruna Ganguly. He is always remembered for hoisting the Congress flag at the Gowalia Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement in 1942. Being an activist, he participated in the Salt Satyagraha and played an important role in connecting people with him. He also edited the monthly magazine 'Inquilab' of the Indian National Congress. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1998.
• Sucheta Kriplani: Sucheta Kriplani was a freedom fighter and worked with Mahatma Gandhi during the partition riots. He played a major role in politics after joining the Indian National Congress. He was elected as a member of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly constituted to frame the Indian Constitution. He also sang 'Vande Mataram' in the Constituent Assembly of India. Sucheta Kriplani became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and was the first woman Chief Minister of India.
• Vijay Lakshmi Pandit: Vijay Lakshmi Pandit was the sister of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Vijay Lakshmi Pandit made his invaluable contribution in the freedom movement of India. He was jailed for his participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement. She was the first woman minister in the political history of India. She was the first Indian woman president of the United Nations and the first woman ambassador to independent India who represented India in Moscow, London and Washington.
• Kamala Nehru: Kamala Nehru was the wife of the top leader of the Indian National Congress and the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Kamala Nehru proved to be the female iron woman, who faced the British in dharnas-processions, went on hunger strikes and slept on the rocky soil of the prison. Along with Nehru, the independence of the country was paramount among the inspirations of Kamala Nehru and then Indira. He actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement.
• Sarojini Naidu: Sarojini Naidu is the first Indian woman Congress President and the 'Nightingale of India' is recognized by this special name. Sarojini Naidu took over the reins of the Khilafat movement and made an important contribution to the removal of the British from India.
• Kasturba Gandhi: Kasturba Gandhi is the wife of Mahatma Gandhi who is popularly known as Ba in India. In the freedom struggle, she supported her husband at every step, rather that many times independently and despite Gandhiji's refusal, she decided to go to jail and participate in the struggle. He has taught people basic lessons related to education, discipline and health and has done commendable work by staying behind the scenes in the freedom struggle.
• Madam Bhikaji Cama: Madam Bhikaji Cama played an active role in the freedom struggle. She was a Parsi citizen of Indian origin, who traveled to London, Germany and America to create an atmosphere in favor of India's independence. He is best known for hoisting the first tricolor national flag of India at the Seventh International Congress held on 22 August 1907 in Stuttgart, Germany. Bhikaji also helped the freedom fighters financially and when the 'plague' spread in the country, without caring about his life, he served them to the fullest. He actively participated in the freedom struggle.
• Annie Besant: The eminent social reformer and freedom fighter Annie Besant accepted India as a civilization and embraced Indian nationalism. In 1890, Annie Besant became a member of the Theosophical Society founded by Helena Blavatsky, which propagates Hinduism and its ideals. Even after coming to India, Annie Besant continued to fight for women's rights. Annie Besant continued to write letters to the British government demanding women's rights like vote. While living in India, Annie Besant also played an important role in the ongoing Home Rule movement for Swaraj.
• Begum Hazrat Mahal: Begum Hazrat Mahal was the first wife of Wajid Ali Shah, the ruler of Awadh. In 1857, in India's first war of independence, he revolted against the British East India Company. He tried his best to save Lucknow from the British and played an active role. The courage of Begum Hazrat Mahal can be gauged from the fact that she broke into Lord Canning's security squad to rescue Wajid Ali Shah, who was detained during the war-freedom at Matiyaburj. The secret of the plan was exposed, otherwise Wajid Ali Shah might have been freed.
• Rani Laxmibai: Rani Lakshmibai was the queen of the Maratha-ruled Jhansi state and was one of the heroes of the first Indian freedom struggle of 1857 against the British rule. She was such a heroine who, at the age of 23, took the front from the army of the British Empire and attained martyrdom in the battlefield, but did not allow the British to capture her kingdom Jhansi.
• Dr. Lakshmi Sehgal: Dr. Lakshmi Sehgal by profession played a major role in India's freedom struggle as well as a social worker. Her full name was Lakshmi Swaminathan Sehgal. She was an officer of the Azad Hind Fauj and the Minister of Women's Affairs in the Azad Hind government. She was a doctor by profession, which came to light during the Second World War. She was the commander of the 'Rani Laxmi Regiment' of the Azad Hind Fauj. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the year 1998.
• Kanaklata Barua: Kanaklata Barua was a resident of Assam. He actively participated in the Quit India Movement. During the Quit India Movement, he hoisted the tricolor of India on the court premises and the police station building. Kanaklata Barua became a victim of police bullets while trying to hoist the tricolor at the police station at the age of just 17.

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