10 People to Remember this Independence Day in India

Indian Independence Day needs no introduction. The day is a poignant reminder of the struggles, triumphs, tribulations and determination of a nation as a whole. The freedom movement was a collective effort that witnessed the sacrifices and contributions of thousands of people. There were great leaders, heroic efforts and several unsung heroes. In many ways, the Indian Independence movement was one of its kind, for it was fuelled by people of different ages, class, castes, genders, philosophies, ranks, intelligence and valour. 

Who should we remember on Independence Day?

The freedom struggle that lasted for centuries, culminated into independence through the tireless efforts of thousands of freedom fighters. There were the stalwarts and revolutionaries who led massive movements and catapulted them with inspiring slogans and speeches. There were hundreds who contributed in myriad direct and indirect ways, in big and small ways. And then there were many more whose contributions, perhaps, have been forgotten today.

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Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, B R Ambedkar, Bahadur Shastri, Bhagat Singh, Rani of Jhansi and many more are names that children know on their fingertips. They have etched their names in the annals of history with their tremendous vision and implementations. 

Yet, there are scores of individuals who have stood up with courage and determination and have been as instrumental in achieving independence. On the occasion of Independence Day let us try to bring to you ten people whose names may or may not be known, but who have in their unique and distinct way played an important role in the freedom struggle. 

Birsa Munda

Brisa Munda is one of the earliest folk tribal Independence heroes. He led the tribal revolt against the British and is also credited with reviving traditional culture that had been relegated due to British influences. The British looked to change the tribal system to a feudal system. The Munda tribe called him the Father of Earth or Dharti Baba and his impact and legacy continues to live in folk songs and culture of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. He was arrested in 1900 and died while in jail. 

Peer Ali Khan

A freedom fighter who fought for Indian Independence in the late 1800s, Peer Ali Khan was one of the earliest revolutionaries who was given capital punishment by the British. He bound books, but also distributed pamphlets and messages to the freedom fighters of the 1857 revolution. However, he was arrested and publicly hanged along with 14 other fighters by William Tayler.  

Maatangini Haazra

Maatangini Haazra was known as Gandhi Buri, or ‘old lady Gandhi’. She was a staunch follower of the Mahatma and participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement and the protest against the Salt Act. 

During the Quit Movement, she along with the other members of Congress, planned to take over police stations and government offices in the Medinipore district. In 1942, at 72 she marched with around six thousand protestors, most of whom were women, attempting to capture the Tamluk police station. She was shot multiple times by the British, however, she kept crying out ‘Vande Mataram’ every time she was shot. She moved forward with the tricolor in her hand until she breathed her last. She is thus, also referred to as the first martyr of the Quit India Movement. 

Aruna Asif Ali

Aruna Asif Ali was a publisher, activist and educator. She married Asif Ali after which she became a part of the Indian National Congress. She was arrested multiple times and in 1932 in Tihar Jail she went on a hunger strike protesting against the poor treatment of political prisoners. In 1942 she hoisted the Congress flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai commencing the Quit India Movement. The police fired at the maidan and Aruna was referred to as the Queen of the 1942 Movement. She was also the editor along with Ram Manohar Lohia of Inquilab, a magazine run by the Congress Party.

Post-Independence she joined the Communist Party of India and in 1958 was elected mayor of Delhi. She passed away at the age of 87 and was awarded the Bharat Ratna after her death. 

Khudiram Bose

Khudiram Bose was only 18 years when he was hanged to death. Born in Habibpur in West Bengal, Khudiram Bose was a part of the Anushilan Samiti. A revolutionary group, he along with Prafulla Chaki planned a bomb attack on Douglas H Kingsford. Kingsford was the magistrate of Calcutta and was known for his discriminatory and stern attitude towards freedom fighters. 

Khudiram Bose in 1908 attacked the carriage that was supposedly carrying Kingsford. He threw the bomb at the carriage, however, Kingsford was not traveling in the same carriage and escaped. Prafulla Chaki committed suicide, but Khudiram Bose was arrested. He was led to the Muzaffarpur police station and was sentenced to death after a trial. According to reports, he was smiling when he was hanged, and large crowds threw flowers and garlands at his body. 

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Popularly known as Lokmanya, Bal Gangadhar Tilak coined and fought for total Swaraj. ‘Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it’, was one of his most famous slogans. He was arrested several times and joined the INC in 1890. His publication Kesari was an important mouthpiece for publishing stories and articles of freedom fighters and the oppressions by the British. However, he was considered as a radical fighter and did not agree with the moderate views of the INC. He founded the All India Home Rule League and focussed on it. Though his views on religion and caste are debatable, his zeal and work towards total independence cannot be ignored. 

Bhikaji Cama

Bhikaji Cama was born in Mumbai and was involved in social work. However, she got plague and was shifted to Britain in 1902 for medical reasons. After a couple of years when she was about to leave for India she met Shymji Krishna Varma who was known to be a supporter of the Indian freedom struggle. Cama became the secretary of the British Committee of the Indian National Congress. She was asked to sign a statement saying she wouldn’t get involved in national activism if she wanted to return to India. She refused to sign the document and was relocated to Paris. Here she began publishing literature that supported the Indian national movement. She unfurled the Indian flag in Stuttgart, Germany and continued to do exemplary work even in exile. She remained in Europe till 1935, but after a massive paralysis stroke she was moved to India, where she passed away in nine months. 

Chandra Shekhar Azad

Chandra Shekhar Sitaram Tiwari joined the HRA or Hindustan Republican Association where he met Ram Prasad Bismil. He was a part of the Kakori train robberies and the shooting of John Saunders to avenge the death of Lala Lajpath Rai. Along with Bhagat Singh and other members of the revolutionary group he planned various activities, including the assassination of James A Scot, the Superintendent of Police. 

Azad was wanted by the British and it was in 1931 that someone tipped the police about his presence at Alfred Park. After cross firing, Azad had only one bullet left with which he shot himself. 

Kanaklata Barua

Kanaklata Barua is fondly known as Birbala. She was an AISF leader and from a young age joined the Mrityu Bahini, a group from Assam. In 1942 the group decided to hoist the National Flag at a police station. The police warned the activists and openly fired at them when they did not stop. Barua held the tricolor and was shot dead. The flag was then taken over by Mukunda Kakoti who was also shot dead. Barua was only 17 years old at this time. To honor her, the Indian Coast Guard named the (FPV) or First Patrol Vessel as ICGS Kanak Lata Barua. 

Tanguturi Prakasam

Tanguturi Prakasam was the Prime Minister of the Madras Presidency who then went on to become the first CM of Andhra Pradesh. He was known as the Andra Kesari or Lion of Andhra. A barrister and jurist by profession, he went to England to learn law. He was located at the Madras High Court after completing the course. He was a follower of Gandhi and started attending sessions of the Congress Party. He was the editor of Swarajya, a publication that he ran in English, Tamil and Telugu. He travelled across the country and participated in several movements, including the non-cooperation movement and protests against the Simon Commission. 

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The Independence Movement was a mosaic of multiple prowess that came together from all sides and corners to create an unparalleled and unmatched force. A force that had its own shares of ups and downs, but which in the end achieved what it set out to conquer.