Born on 2nd October 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is revered as Father of the Nation for his immense sacrifices for India. He not only ushered India towards freedom, but he also became the inspiring figure for many independence struggles and rights movements across the world. Popularly called Bapu, Gandhi introduced the doctrine of non-violence in India. According to him, independence was to be achieved through a combination of non-violent movement and non-co-operation with the British. The historic Non-Cooperation movement, Dandi March and the Quit India movement were all started under his leadership.

Born: 2 October 1869, Porbandar

Full name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Assassinated: 30 January 1948, New Delhi

Famously Known As Bapu

Born in 1907, Bhagat Singh was among the extreme revolutionary Indian freedom fighters. He was a largely controversial, though respected figure in the freedom struggle of India. This revolutionary hero was born in a Sikh family in the undivided state of Punjab and carried the legacy of his family and clinched to his patriotism till his death. He was involved in a plot in 1928 to assassinate James Scott, a British police superintendent to exact revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. The plot failed when they mistakenly killed another young police officer and Singh fled to Lahore to escape from punishment. The following year, he, along with his associates hurled a bomb at the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in protest against the implementation of the Defence of India Act and surrendered to the police. This great Indian freedom fighter was sentenced to death by hanging by the British, and executed at the age of only 23.

Born: 28 September 1907, Banga, Pakistan

Died: 23 March 1931, Lahore Central Jail, Lahore, Pakistan

Education: National College, Lahore, National College of Arts, Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System

Famously Known As: Shaheed Bhagat Singh

One of the greatest Indian freedom fighters that history witnessed was none other than Subhas Chandra Bose. He was born on 23rd January 1897. He was a radical nationalist and his ultimate patriotism carved a hero out of him. Bose disagreed with the ideals of non-violence promoted by Gandhi, instead of believing that only armed revolt could oust the British from India. The founder of the Forward Bloc, he escaped the eyes of the British to ultimately reach Germany during the second world war. He raised the Indian National Army (INA) and with Japanese help, was able to free a portion of Indian territory from the British in Manipur, but was ultimately defeated due to Japanese surrender to the British. Although he is believed to have died in a plane crash in 1945, his death remains shrouded in mystery to date.

Born: 23 January 1897, Cuttack

Famously Known As Netaji

Died: 18 August 1945, Taipei, Taiwan

Education: Scottish Church College (1918), Presidency University

Contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose to the Independence of India is significant. Just like these Indian Freedom Fighters, there are several other global heroes who laid their lives for their nations. To know more read our blog Popular Struggles and Movements!

Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875. A senior leader of the Indian National Congress, he had an immense contribution to the Indian freedom struggle as one of the most influential and strong-minded Indian freedom fighters. He was one of the most influential leaders of Gujarat, who organized peasant movements against the British based on Gandhi’s ideals of non-violence. One of the first congress leaders to have accepted the British plan of partition for India, he is remembered for his role in integrating the princely states into the dominion of India. His efforts led to the integration of around 562 princely states. After independence, he served as the first home minister and deputy prime minister of India.

Born: 31 October 1875, Nadia

Died: 15 December 1950, Mumbai

Full name: Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel

Famously Known As Sardar, Iron Man Of India

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14th November 1889. He was the single child of Motilal Nehru and Swarup Rani Nehru. Nehru was one of the most renowned barristers and was known for his intellectual capabilities which soon made him one of the greatest politicians India had ever seen. Nehru, under the approval of Gandhi, his mentor, rose to become one of the most dominant figures in Indian politics from the 1930s onwards. Nehru, after much deliberations, accepted the partition proposal for India in 1947 and took oath as the First Prime Minister of India after attaining independence. His birthday on 14 November is widely celebrated in India as Children’s day.

Born: 14 November 1889, Prayagraj

Died: 27 May 1964, New Delhi

Spouse: Kamala Nehru (m. 1916–1936)

Parents: Motilal Nehru

Famously Known As: Chacha Nehru, Pandit Nehru

Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2nd October 1904 in the state of Uttar Pradesh. He was conferred with the title of Shastri which in English is termed as Scholar. At the age of only sixteen, he left his studies to join the non-cooperation movement at the call of Gandhi. Later, he graduated with a first-class degree from Kashi Vidyapeeth, a national institution of higher education inaugurated by Gandhi. He was one of the most proactive Indian freedom fighters who participated in various movements such as the Quit India movement, Civil Disobedience movement and other satyagrahas led by Mahatma Gandhi. Lal Bahadur Shastri was incarcerated by the British for considerable periods during his lifetime. Post attaining independence, he first became the Home Minister and later was made the Prime Minister of India in the year 1964.

Born: 2 October 1904, Mughalsarai

Died: 11 January 1966, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Party: Indian National Congress

Famously Known As: Man of Peace

Born on 4th September 1825, was a Mathematics and Natural Philosophy professor. He was educated at the Elphinstone College in Bombay. He turned towards politics later in life and became very active in the field. His opinion was unfavourable and he felt that the British rule would leave and cause irreparable damage to the Indian economy. In the years 1886, 1893 and 1906, Dadabhai Naoroji had the privilege of presiding over the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress. This later led to the nationalist movement in India. His popular writings include the article named Poverty and Un-British Rule in India (1901). In this article, he was of the strong belief and opinion that India was taxed at a very high rate and all of India’s wealth was being drained to England.

Born: 4 September 1825, Navsari

Died: 30 June 1917, Mumbai

Organizations founded: Indian National Congress, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, National Congress, London Indian Society

Famously Known As: 'Grand Old Man of India' and 'Unofficial Ambassador of India'

Tantia Tope was one of the famous revolutionaries of the Rebellion of 1857. Born in 1814, he led his soldiers to fight against the dominance of British rule. He made General Windham leave Kanpur and helped Rani Lakhsmi Bai reinstating Gwalior.

Born: 1814, Yeola

Died: 18 April 1859, Shivpuri

Full name: Ramachandra Pandurang Tope

Education: Scottish Church College (1918), Presidency University

Bipin Chandra Pal was a revolutionary born in 1858 during the Biggest revolution against the British Army. He was a significant part of the Indian National Congress and encouraged the abandonment of foreign goods. He formed a trio with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak to be known as Lal-Bal-Pal where they executed several revolutionary activities.

Born: 7 November 1858, Habiganj District, Bangladesh

Died: 20 May 1932, Kolkata

Education: St. Paul's Cathedral Mission College, Presidency University

Famously Known As: Father of Revolutionary Thoughts

Famously known as Punjab Kesari, he was one of the extremist members of the Indian National Congress. He formed a trio with Bipin Chandra Pal and Bal Gangadhar Tilak to be known as Lal-Bal-Pal where they executed several revolutionary activities. He led the Punjab Protest against the Jallianwala Incident and Non-Cooperation Movement. He fought against the Simon Commission Protest and lost his life because of a lathi charge by the Britishers

Born: 28 January 1865, Dhudike

Died: 17 November 1928, Lahore, Pakistan

Famously Known As: Punjab Kesari

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a remarkable freedom fighter born in 1856. Famously known for his quote, 'Swaraj is my Birthright. He published several rebellious newspapers and built schools to defy British Rule. He was the third member of the Lal-Bal-Pal along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal.

Born: 23 July 1856, Chikhali

Died: 1 August 1920, Mumbai

Famously Known As Lokmanya Tilak

Born on 22nd October 1900, in the district of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Ashfaqulla Khan grew up with the non-cooperation movement going on at the forefront, led by Mahatma Gandhi. Just when he was a young gentleman, Ashfaqulla Khan became acquainted with Ram Prasad Bismil. He was one of the main conspirators in the Chauri Chaura incident, which took place in Gorakhpur. He was a strong advocate of independence and wanted the British to leave India at any cost. Ashfaqulla Khan was a popular freedom fighter, known for his true friendship with Bismil, was sentenced to death for the Kakori train robbery. It was popularly known as the Kakori Conspiracy of 1925

Born: 22 October 1900, Shahjahanpur

Died: 19 December 1927, Faizabad

Organization: Hindustan Socialist Republican Association

Famously Known As:Ashfaq Ulla Khan

Balajirao Bhat, commonly known as Nana Sahib, was born in Bithoor (Kanpur District), Uttar Pradesh in May 1824. He was the eighth Peshwa of India's Maratha Empire. Balaji Bajirao was another name for him. When Chattrapati Shahu died in 1749, he left the Maratha Empire to the Peshwas. He did not have an heir to his realm, therefore he nominated the valiant Peshwas as his heir. Nana Sahib, as king of the Maratha Empire, made significant contributions to the development of Pune. During his rule, Poona was transformed from a small village to a metropolis. He redesigned the city by constructing new districts, temples, and bridges. Having said that, Sahib was a key contributor to the 1857 revolt, leading a group of enthusiastic rebels. He overran the British soldiers in Kanpur and endangered the British camp by murdering the survivors. However, after defeating Nana Saheb and his men, the British were able to retake Kanpur.

Born: 19 May 1824, Bithoor

Full name: Dhondu Pant

Died: 1859, Naimisha Forest

Disappeared: July 1857 in Cawnpore (now Kanpur), British India

Famously known as Nana Sahib

Sukhdev, who was born in 1907, was a brave revolutionary and a key member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. Without a doubt, he was one of the most revered figures of the Indian freedom struggle. He collaborated closely with his colleagues Bhagat Singh and Shivram Rajguru. He was accused of being involved in the assassination of British officer John Saunders. Unfortunately, at the age of 24, he was caught and hanged with Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru on March 23, 1931, in Punjab's Hussainwala (now in Pakistan).

Born: 15 May 1907, Ludhiana

Died: 23 March 1931, Lahore, Pakistan

Education: National College of Arts, National College, Lahore

Member of: Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

Kunwar Singh was born in April 1777 to the Maharaja and Maharani of Jagdispur (now in Bhojpur District, Bihar) to the Maharaja and Maharani of Jagdispur. His name is often lost amid the other more renowned names of the Revolt. Nonetheless, his contribution to the First War of Independence was enormous. Kunwar Singh led the uprising in Bihar. On July 25, 1857, he gained command of the sepoys stationed at Danapur at the age of nearly 80. Kunwar Singh took over Azamgarh in March 1858. (now in UP). He then went home and commanded a successful fight near Jagdispur on July 23rd. The British, headed by Captain le Grand, were beaten in this fight despite Kunwar Singh being the fact that Kunwar Singh was severely hurt.

Born: November 1777, Jagdishpur

Died: 26 April 1858, Jagdishpur

Full name: Babu Veer Kunwar Singh

Famously Known as Veer Kunwar Singh

Mangal Pandey, a well-known Indian freedom fighter, is usually recognized as the forerunner of the 1857 revolt against the British, which is regarded as India's first battle of independence. As a soldier in the East India Company's army's 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment, he led the sepoy mutiny, which eventually led to the 1857 uprising. When a new Enfield rifle was launched in India in the mid-1850s, his biggest dispute with the business began. The rifle's cartridges were rumored to be lubricated with animal fat, specifically cow and pig fat. As a result of the cartridges' use, the Indian troops rebelled against the corporation since it violated their religious beliefs. Pandey and his fellow sepoys rose up in revolt against the British commanders on March 29, 1857, and even attempted to kill them. He was arrested and sentenced to death on April 18. However, anticipating a sepoy uprising, British officials executed him 10 days prematurely on April 8.

Born: 19 July 1827, Nagwa

Died: 8 April 1857, Barrackpore

Occupation: Sepoy (soldier)

Cause of death: Execution by hanging

Known for: Indian independence fighter

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born in 1883 and spent the rest of his life as a dedicated activist and Indian revolutionary. He established the Abhinav Bharat Society and the Free India Society. Swatantryaveer Savarkar was his given name. As a writer, he also penned a piece named 'The Indian War of Independence,'' which provided wonderful information about the 1857 Indian revolt.

Born: 28 May 1883, Bhagur

Died: 26 February 1966, Mumbai

Party: Hindu Mahasabha

Education: City Law School (1909), Fergusson College (1902-1905), Wilson College, Mumbai, Mumbai University

C Rajagopalachari, born in 1878, was a lawyer by profession before joining the Indian National Congress in 1906 and rising through the ranks to become a recognizedCongress legislator. Rajagopalachari was a towering figure in contemporary Indian politics. He was a member of the Indian National Congress during the pre-independence era and a staunch supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. He was a fervent devotee of He also actively engaged in Lajpat Rai's Non-Cooperation Movement.

Born: 10 December 1878, Thorapalli

Died: 25 December 1972, Chennai

Education: Presidency college, Bangalore central University (1894), Bangalore University

Famously known as CR, Mango of Krishnagiri, Rajaji

Awards: Bharat Ratna

Desh hit paida huye hai Desh par marr jayenge Marte marte desh ko zinda magar kar jayenge” Ram Prasad Bismil was one of the most notable Indian revolutionaries who fought British colonialism and made it possible for the nation to breathe the air of freedom after eons of struggle against the imperial forces, with a desire for freedom and revolutionary spirit reverberating in every inch of his body and poetry. Bismil, who was born in 1897, was a respected member of the Hindustan Republican Association alongside Sukhdev. He was also a participant in the infamous Kakori train heist, for which the British government condemned him to death.

Born: 11 June 1897, Shahjahanpur

Died: 19 December 1927, Gorakhpur Jail, Gorakhpur

Cause of death: Execution by hanging

Organization: Hindustan Socialist Republican Association

Chandra Shekhar Azad, born in 1906, was a close companion of Bhagat Singh in the independence movement. He was also a member of the Hindustan Republican Association and the bravest and daring Indian freedom fighters against the British authorities. After murdering several opponents during a battle with British forces, he shot himself with his Colt pistol. He promised he'd never be caught alive by the British.

Born: 23 July 1906, Bhavra

Died: 27 February 1931, Chandrashekhar Azad Park

Full name: Chandrashekhar Tiwari

Education: Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith

The Queen of Jhansi was born in the year 1828. She was one of the most fierce members of the Revolution of 1857. She inspired many women across the country to fight for the freedom of India and to date inspires several women to fight for their rights. She defended her palace with her newborn child in the year 1858 which was invaded by the British Forces

Born: 19 November 1828, Varanasi

Died: 18 June 1858, Gwalior

Full name: Manikarnika Tambe

Famously Known As: Manu

A woman of many roles - a mother, a queen and most importantly, a symbol of resistance. Born to a family with a very weak economic background, her maiden name was Muhammadi Begum. Sold at a very young age to the royal harem as an attendant, Begum Hazrat Mahal got a proper training meilleur casino en ligne in etiquettes. She was given the new name of 'Mahak Pari' in the Pari Khana and later became one of the wives under a contract of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. One of her biggest contributions to the freedom struggle was uniting Hindus and Muslims to come together as one force to fight the British. She proved her mettle as a leader. She even played an important role in encouraging and motivating women to step out of their homes and join the struggle for independence. She believed that women could do anything in the world, fight any battle and come out as winners.

Born: 1820, Faizabad

Died: 7 April 1879, Kathmandu, Nepal

Famously Known As: Begum of Awadh n

Sarojini Naidu (nee Chattopadhyay; 13 February 1879 - 2 March 1949)[1] was an Indian political activist, feminist and poet. A proponent of civil rights, women's emancipation, and anti-imperialistic ideas, she was an important person in India's struggle for independence from colonial rule. She was also the first Indian woman to be the president of the Indian National Congress and to be appointed as governor of an Indian state (United Provinces) Naidu's literary work as a poet earned her the sobriquet the "Nightingale of India", or "Bharat Kokila" by Mahatma Gandhi because of colour, imagery and lyrical quality of her poetry.[2] Born in a Bengali family in Hyderabad, Chattopadhyay was educated in Madras, London and Cambridge. Following her time in England, where she worked as a suffragist, she was drawn to Indian National Congress' movement for India's independence from British rule. She became a part of the Indian nationalist movement and became a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and his idea of swaraj. She married Govindarajulu Naidu, a general physician in 1898. She was appointed the President of the Indian National Congress in 1925 and later became the Governor of the United Provinces in 1947, becoming the first woman to hold the office of Governor in the Dominion of India. Naidu's poetry includes both children's poems and others written on more serious themes including patriotism, and tragedy. Published in 1912, "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" remains one of her most popular poems. She died of a cardiac arrest on 2 March 1949

Born: 13 February 1879, Hyderabad

Died: 2 March 1949, Lucknow

Education: King's College London (1895-1898),

Children: Padmaja Naidu, Leelamani Naidu, Jayasurya Naidu, Randheer Naidu, Nilawar Naidu

Aruna Asaf Ali was born on 16 July 1909 in Kalka, Punjab, British India (now in Haryana, India) into a Bengali Brahmin family.[2] Her father Upendranath Ganguly hailed from Barisal district of Eastern Bengal (now Bangladesh) but settled in the United Province. He was a restaurant owner. Her mother Ambalika Devi was the daughter of Trailokyanath Sanyal, a renowned Brahmo leader who wrote many Brahmo hymns. Upendranath Ganguly's younger brother Dhirendranath Ganguly (DG) was one of the earliest film directors.[3] Another brother, Nagendranath, was a university professor who married Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore's only surviving daughter Mira Devi.[4] Aruna's sister Purnima Banerjee was a member of the Constituent Assembly of India. Aruna was educated at Sacred Heart Convent in Lahore and then at All Saints' College in Nainital. After her graduation, she worked as a teacher at the Gokhale Memorial School in Calcutta. She met Asaf Ali, a leader in the Congress party, in Allahabad. They got married in 1928, despite parental opposition on grounds of religion and age (he was a Muslim and her senior by more than 20 years).[5] My father was no more when Asaf and I married in September 1928. My paternal uncle Nagendranath Ganguly, a university professor who regarded himself as my guardian, said to relatives and friends that as far as he was concerned I was dead and he had performed my shraddh.[6]

July 16, 1909-July 29, 1996

Aruna was an active member of the Congress Party.

She had participated in public marches during the Salt Satyagraha.

29 July 1996 (aged 87) New Delhi, Indi

International Lenin Peace Prize (1964) Jawaharlal Nehru Prize (1991) Padma Vibhushan (1992) Bharat Ratna (1997)

Usha Mehta (25 March 1920 - 11 August 2000[2]) was a Gandhian and freedom fighter of India. She is also remembered for organizing the Congress Radio, also called the Secret Congress Radio, an underground radio station, which functioned for few months during the Quit India Movement of 1942. In 1998, the Government of India conferred on her Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award of Republic of India.[3]

Born 25 March 1920 Gujarat, India

Died 11 August 2000 (aged 80)

Education PhD in Gandhian thought

Known for Gandhian and freedom fighter of India

Bhikaiji Rustom Cama[n 1] (24 September 1861 - 13 August 1936) or simply as, Madam Cama, was one of the prominent figures in the Indian independence movement. Bhikaiji Cama was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) in a large, affluent Parsi Zoroastrian family.[1] Her parents, Sorabji Framji Patel and Jaijibai Sorabji Patel, were well known in the city, where her father Sorabji-a lawyer by training and a merchant by profession-was an influential member of the Parsi community.

Born 24 September 1861 Navsari, Bombay Presidency, British India

Died 13 August 1936 (aged 74) Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British Indiai

Organisation(s) India House, Paris Indian Society, Indian National Congress

Movement Indian independence movement

Kasturbai Mohandas Gandhi (listen (help.info), born Kasturbai Gokuldas Kapadia; 11 April 1869 - 22 February 1944) was an Indian political activist. She married Mohandas Gandhi, more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, in 1883. With her husband and her eldest son, Harilal, she was involved in the Indian independence movement in British India. National Safe Motherhood Day is observed on April 11 every year in India, coinciding with Kasturbai Gandhi's birthday.[1] Mohandas affectionately called her Baa and in letters referred to her as Mrs. Gandhi

Born Kasturbai Gokuldas Kapadia 11 April 1869 Porbandar, Porbandar State, Kathiawar Agency, British Ra

Other names Kasturba Mohandas Gandhi Kasturba Gokuldas Kapadia

Died 22 February 1944 (aged 74) Aga Khan Palace, Pune, Bombay Presidency, British India (now Maharashtra, India)

Spouse Mahatma Gandhi ​(m. 1883)

Kamala Nehru (nee Kaul; pronunciation (help.info); 1 August 1899 - 28 February 1936) was an Indian independence activist and the wife of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. Her daughter Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India

Born Kamala Kaul 1 August 1899 Delhi, British India

Died 28 February 1936 (aged 36) Lausanne, Switzerland

Spouse Jawaharlal Nehru ​(m. 1916

Relatives Kailas Nath Kaul (brother

Annie Besant (nee Wood; 1 October 1847 - 20 September 1933) was a British socialist, theosophist, freemason, women's rights and Home Rule activist, and educationist. Regarded as a champion of human freedom, she was an ardent supporter of both Irish and Indian self-rule. She was also a prolific author with over three hundred books and pamphlets to her credit. As an educationist, her contributions included being one of the founders of the Banaras Hindu University. For fifteen years, Besant was a public proponent in England of atheism and scientific materialism. Besant's goal was to provide employment, better living conditions, and proper education for the poor.[1

Born Annie Wood 1 October 1847 Clapham, London, England

Died 20 September 1933 (aged 85) Adyar, Chinglepet District, Madras Presidency, British India (now Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Known for Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator

Movement Indian independence movement

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit (nee Swarup Nehru;[2] 18 August 1900 - 1 December 1990) was an Indian diplomat and politician who was the 6th Governor of Maharashtra from 1962 to 1964 and 8th President of the United Nations General Assembly from 1953 to 1954, the first woman appointed to either post. Hailing from a prominent political family, her brother Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of independent India, her niece Indira Gandhi the first female Prime Minister of India and her grand-nephew Rajiv Gandhi was the sixth Prime Minister of India. Despite her minimal education ( she was schooled entirely at home), Nehru showered her with diplomatic favours, sending Pandit to London as India's most important diplomat after serving as india's envoy to the Soviet Union, the United States and the United Nations. Her time in London offers insights into the wider context of changes in Indo-British relations. Her High-Commissionership was a microcosm of inter-governmental relations. Critics described her as a 'poisoned dwarf', both vicious and greedy, noting a voracious sexual appetite that extended to married Indian men

In office 15 September 1953 – 21 September 1954[1]

Succeeded by Eelco N. van Kleffens 6th Governor of Maharashtra In office 28 November 1962 – 18 October 1964

Born Swarup Nehru 20 August 1900 Allahabad, North West Provinces, British India (present day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India)

Died 1 December 1990 (aged 90) Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh, India