Remember how around 70 years back, everyone fought for our Independence! What a great and motivational struggle story we have. Back at that time, Indian society was a male-dominated society. And that is why when we get the chance to remember the freedom fighters, only the names of male freedom fighters pop up in our minds. But this doesn’t mean that women freedom fighters were not a part of it.
There were plenty of women who fought and sacrificed their comfortable lives for future generations. Despite their efforts, they are not given much credit, and most of us do not even know about them.
But that is not at all fair. They fought too, and that is why they deserved to be appreciated for what they did. So, today we will be talking about 10 Indian women freedom fighters to be proud of!
All of these women were a crucial part of the Indian freedom struggle and ensured that we got Independence at all costs.
Most of these women are mothers, sisters, daughters, but no one of them is weak. They are all strong, bold, caring, compassionate, determined, and more than you think.
10 Indian women freedom fighters to be proud of!
1) Kasturba Gandhi
- Birthdate: 11 April 1869
- Died on: 22 February 1944
- Spouse: Mahatma Gandhi
- Occupation: Activist
We all have heard of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, but how many of us actually know about Kasturba Gandhi?
Like her husband, Mahatma Gandhi, she also played a crucial role in the Indian freedom struggle.
She was the better half of our father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi. Besides that, she was a leader of the women satyagraha movement. She toom the charge of the things when her husband was in jail.
She suffered from chronic bronchitis.
Soon, she dies after contracting pneumonia. She died from a severe heart attack.
2) Vijyalaxmi Pandit
- Birthdate: 18 August 1900
- Died on: 1 December 1990
- Spouse: Ranjit Sitaram Pandit
- Occupation: Diplomat and politician
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit was an Indian diplomat and politician. She was the one who was elected as the first female president of the UN (United Nations) General Assembly.
Vijyalaxmi was the daughter of Motilal Nehru and sister of Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
She was inspired and motivated by the courage and determination of the well known Indian female figures, Rani Laxmi Bai and Sarojini Naidu.
She joined the Non-Cooperation Movement (1) to fight against the British Colonial Rule.
Vijaylaxmi was a great fighter and also the part of many of the freedom movements.
3) Sarojini Naidu
- Birthdate: 13 February 1879
- Died on: 2 March 1949
- Spouse: Govindarajulu Naidu
- Occupation: Indian political activist and poet
The Bharat Kokila, Sarojini Naidu (as described by Rabindranath Tagore), was one of the significant Indian women freedom fighters.
Naido is called the Nightingale of India (Mahatma Gandhi gave her that name) and was a surreal poet, a renowned freedom fighter, and one of the most excellent speakers of her time.
She joined the Indian National Congress’ movement for the country’s Independence from British rule and was later elected as the president of the INC.
She also campaigned for Khilafat Movement.
4) Kamla Nehru
- Birthdate: 1 August 1899
- Died on: 28 February 1936
- Spouse: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
- Occupation: Freedom fighter
Kamala was included with the Nehrus in the Indian national movement. But it is not like that she was at the backfoot providing support to her family members, but instead, she was at the forefront.
She was an integral part of the Indian Non-Cooperation Movement.
Even the Britishers considered her a threat to them.
Kamla was Jawaharlal Nehru’s wife (the first prime minister of independent India) and gave full support to him in the desire in the freedom struggle.
She and Kasturba Gandhi spent time together in Gandhi Ashram. Soon, she died of tuberculosis in Switzerland.
5) Sucheta Kriplani
- Birthdate: 25 June 1904
- Died on: 1 December 1974
- Spouse: J. B. Kripalani
- Occupation: Freedom fighter and politician
The lesser-known female figure Sucheta Kriplani was the first woman Chief Minister of Independent India.
She was at the forefront in Quit India Movement and worked collectively with Mahatma Gandhi during the time of partition (riots).
Sucheta was an ardent nationalist with a realistic mindset of socialistic orientation.
Besides this, she was a close companion of Jai Prakash Narayan, who lively participated in the Quit India Movement.
6) Swarup Rani Nehru
- Birthdate: 1868
- Died on: 10 January 1938
- Spouse: Motilal Nehru
- Occupation: Freedom fighter
You might not know her, but she was a critical part of the Indian Freedom Struggle.
Besides being the Wife of Motilal Nehru and the mother of the first prime minister of Independent India Jawaharlal Nehru, she is also known as one of the most prominent women freedom fighters.
She played a crucial role in the country’s freedom movement in the 1920s–30s as an advocate of the Civil disobedience against the British Rule and its salt laws.
Not only this, but she also encouraged women to make salt.
She was the mother of Late Jawaharlal Nehru and gave her husband, Motilal Nehru, and children to India’s freedom struggle.
Not only her family, but she also received praise from the nationalist leaders.
She was given the title ‘Rani of the Nagas,’ by Jawaharlal Nehru for her influence and worked for the Nagas.
7) Rani Laxmi Bai
- Birthdate: 19 November 1828
- Died on: 18 June 1858
- Spouse: Gangadhar Rao Newalkar
- Occupation: Indian queen and Freedom fighter
If you have not heard of ‘Jhansi Ki Rani,’ then are you even a real Indian?
We all have listened and recited the famous poem Jhansi ki Rani in our childhood days.
She was a dominant figure in the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
Besides that, she became a symbol of resistance to the British Rule for Indian fighters.
She used to go to the battlefront dressed as a male.
She was skilled enough to use the sword with both hands.
Till her last breath, she fought for the welfare of women in our country and the noble cause of Independence.
8) Aruna Asaf Ali
- Birthdate: 16 July 1909
- Died on: 29 July 1996
- Spouse: Asaf Ali
- Occupation: Indian educator, political activist, publisher
Aruna Ali was one of the most critical female freedom fighters of India.
You might have heard of her less, but what she did was worth praising and remembering.
Aruna actively participated in the freedom struggle and hoisted the Indian National flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, Bombay (now Mumbai), during the Quit India Movement of 1942.
Aruna played a fantastic role in the Quit India Movement.
9) Begum Hazrat Mahal
- Birthdate: 1820
- Died on: 7 April 1879
- Spouse: Nawab Wajid Ali Shah
- Occupation: One of the best female freedom fighters of India
The Begum of Awadh, Hazrat Mahal, was one of the great women freedom fighters.
She was one of those who played a prominent role during the country’s first war of Independence, from 1857 to 1858.
As Begum of Awadh or Oudh popularly known as they used to call it, Hazrat Mahal was the better half of the then Lucknow ruler, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
10) Bhima Bai Holkar
- Birthdate: 17 September 1795
- Died on: 28 November 1858
- Father: Yashwant Rao Holkar
- Occupation: One of the best female freedom fighters of India
The daughter of Maharaj of Indore, Bheem Bai, was one of those great women freedom fighters who fought against the British colonial rule.
