SALUTE TO WOMEN FREEDOM FIGHTERS OF INDIA

Freedom fighters men & women alike struggled very hard to gain freedom from the Britishers. We all know about countless male freedom fighters who made efforts to give us & our future generations a free& self-reliant life. But this women’s day let's talk about the contribution of female freedom fighters who also made remarkable contributions towards the freedom & progress of India.

1) Begum Hazrat Mahal –Queen of Awadh, She is considered the first woman freedom fighter of India. She tried to put up a strong fight against the British army during the revolt of 1857 to defend Lucknow but it was recaptured, she was known for her bravery.

2) Rani Lakshmi Bai – Queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmi Bai needs no introduction, She displayed exemplary courage&Patriotism when Britishers tried to annex Jhansi following the policy of Doctrine of Lapse. She was against this policy& joined the revolt of 1857 & died at the battlefield while fighting with the British forces. सुभद्रा कुमारी चौहान की कविता "खूब लड़ी मर्दानी -झाँसी की रानी " हमें इन्ही का जीवन परिचय देती हैं

3) Bhikaji Cama- She was the first person to hoist the Indian flag in any other country ie.Germany in 1907. She was the founder of the Paris Indian Society, She took the Indian freedom movement to an international level. ‘‘भारत में ब्रिटिश शासन जारी रहना मानवता के नाम पर कलंक है।’ ‘‘आगे बढ़ो, हम हिन्दुस्तानी हैं और हिन्दुस्तान हिन्दुस्तानियों का है।’

4) Kamla Devi Chattopadhyay – She was the first Indian woman to contest elections, She participated in the salt satyagraha & Non-Cooperation Movement. She was a member of SEVA DAL an organization to promote social upliftments.

5) Matangini Hazra-She was known as old lady Gandhi (गांधीबूढी) She participated in the Civil Disobedience Movement &QuiteIndia Movement she also worked for the promotion of Khadi.

6)Lakshmi Sehgal –She was a member of Azad Hind Fauj, also formed an all-women regiment ( RANI OF JHANSI regiment)which was part of Azad Hind Fauj.

7) Annie Besant-She was a British author& social worker, Annie first visited India in 1893& settled here, She strongly supported the Indian freedom movement She founded ALL INDIA HOME RULE LEAGUE in 1916, Main demand of this organization was a self-rule government for India. She also popularised Theosophical society which believed in the principle of brotherhood respected all religions, Theosophists believed that humans should focus on purity of soul& actions rather than discriminating on the basis of caste &creed, etc.

The contribution of women in the freedom struggle cannot be taken for granted. women are no less than men in any capacity whether it's physical intellectual, social work, etc. Women are capable of handling any responsibility if given a chance without being judgemental.