Indian Freedom Fighters

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Indian freedom fighters

Around 75 years ago, on the historic date of 15th August 1947,  India became free from British domination. It was the culmination of numerous movements and struggles that were rife throughout the time of British rule including the historic revolt of 1857. This independence was achieved through the efforts of many revolutionary Indian freedom fighters, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, and more, who took the lead in organizing the struggle which led to India’s independence. This blog brings you the Indian freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to ensure India’s independence.

Must Read: Essay on Mahatma Gandhi

Below is a list of some of the most popular male Indian freedom fighters of India:

Courtesy: Pinterest
  1. Mahatma Gandhi
  2. Kunwar Singh
  3. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
  4. Dadabhai Naoroji
  5. Tantia Tope
  6. K. M. Munshi
  7. Jawaharlal Nehru
  8. Ashfaqulla Khan
  9. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  10. Lala Lajpat Rai
  11. Ram Prasad Bismil
  12. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
  13. Rani Lakshmi Bai
  14. Bipin Chandra Pal
  15. Chittaranjan Das
  16. Begum Hazrat Mahal
  17. Bhagat Singh
  18. Lal Bahadur Shastri
  19. Nana Sahib
  20. Chandra Shekhar Azad
  21. C. Rajagopalachari
  22. Abdul Hafiz Mohamed Barakatullah
  23. Subhash Chandra Bose
  24. Mangal Pandey
  25. Sukhdev
Source: Magnet Brains

Most Famous Women Indian Freedom Fighters

Additionally, we share a list of the most famous women Indian Freedom Fighters of the country.

Courtesy: Pinterest
  1. Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi
  2. Annie Besant
  3. Madam Bhikaji Cama
  4. Kasturba Gandhi
  5. Aruna Asaf Ali
  6. Sarojini Naidu
  7. Usha Mehta
  8. Begum Hazrat Mahal
  9. Kamala Nehru
  10. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
  11. Jhalkari Bai
  12. Savitri Bai Phule
  13. Ammu Swaminathan
  14. Kittu Rani Chennamma

Must Read: Essay on Indian Freedom Struggle

Important Indian Freedom Fighters and their Journeys

Courtesy: Pinterest

Must Read: 1857 to 1947 History of India

Mahatma GandhiFather of the Nation
Civil Rights Activist in South Africa
Satyagraha
Civil Disobedience Movement
Quit India Movement
Kunwar SinghIndian Rebellion of 1857
Vinayak Damodar SavarkarLeading figures of Hindu Mahasabha and formulator of Hindu Nationalist Philosophy
Dadabhai NaorojiUnofficial Ambassador of India
Tantia TopeIndian Rebellion of 1857
K. M. MunshiFounder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Jawaharlal NehruPreeminent fighter
First Prime Minister of India
Ashfaqulla KhanMember of Hindustan Republican Association
Sardar Vallabhbhai PatelCivil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement
Unification of India
Lala Lajpat RaiPunjab Kesari
Against Simon Commission
Ram Prasad BismilFounding Member of Hindustan Republican Association
Bal Gangadhar TilakThe Maker of Modern India
Swadeshi Movement
Rani Lakshmi BaiIndian Rebellion of 1857
Bipin Chandra PalFather of Revolutionary Thoughts
Swadeshi Movement
Chittaranjan Dasreorganized the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) under its new name of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
Begum Hazrat MahalIndian Rebellion of 1857
Bhagat SinghOne of the Most Influential Revolutionary
Lal Bahadur ShastriWhite Revolution
Green Revolution
Second Prime Minister of India
Nana SahibIndian Rebellion of 1857
Chandra Shekhar AzadLast Governor-General of India
Leader of the Indian National Congress
C. RajagopalachariLast Governor-General of India
Leader of Indian National Congress
Abdul Hafiz Mohamed BarakatullahRevolutionary Writer
Subhash Chandra BoseWorld War II
Indian National Congress

Mahatma Gandhi

Indian Freedom Fighters - Mahatma Gandhi

Born on 2nd October 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is revered as the Father of the Nation for his immense sacrifices for India. He not only ushered India towards freedom, but he also became an 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-cooperation with the British. The historic Non-Cooperation movement, the 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

Want to know about the struggles of Indian Freedom Fighters?
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Subhash Chandra Bose

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!

Indian National Movement

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Credit: Jagran

Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875. A senior leader of the Indian National Congress, he made 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

Jawaharlal Nehru

Indian Freedom Fighters - Jawaharlal Nehru

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

Know more about Indian Freedom Fighters through our blog on Indian National Movement!

Lal Bahadur Shastri

Credit: LIVE Law

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 a 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, the Civil Disobedience movement, and other satyagrahas led by Mahatma Gandhi. Lal Bahadur Shastri was incarcerated by the British for considerable periods during his lifetime. After 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

Bhagat Singh

Indian Freedom Fighters - Bhagat Singh

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 into 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

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Dadabhai Naoroji 

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

Tantia Tope | Military Wiki | Fandom

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 Lakshmi Bai reinstate Gwalior.

  • Born: 1814, Yeola
  • Died: 18 April 1859, Shivpuri
  • Full name: Ramachandra Pandurang Tope

Bipin Chandra Pal

Credit: MyVoice

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

Lala Lajpat Rai

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 

Credit: India.com

Must Read: Indian National Movement

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

Ashfaqulla Khan 

Ashafaq Ulla Khan

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, 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

Nana Sahib

November « 2020 « Tornos India
Courtesy: Tornos India

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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

The 24-year-old martyr who gave up his life for India: Facts about Sukhdev  Thapar you must know - Education Today News
Courtesy: India Today

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

Courtesy: The Indian Portrait

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

Mangal Pandey and Sepoy Mutiny of 1857
Courtesy: Connect Gujarat

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

Read this before deciding whether Savarkar was a British stooge or  strategic nationalist
Courtesy: ThePrint

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

Remembering C. Rajagopalachari, independent India's first and last Indian  Governor General
Courtesy: ThePrint

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

Ram Prasad Bismil

Ram Prasad Bismil: Freedom Fighter And Poet Remembered On His Birth  Anniversary
Courtesy: NDTV

Must Read: Revolutions in India You Must Know About

“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 

The Many Lives of Chandrashekhar Azad
Courtesy: The Wire

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

Rani Lakshmi Bai

Credit: The Logical Indian

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

Begum Hazrat Mahal 

Begum Hazrat Mahal 

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

Famous Quotes by Indian Freedom Fighters

Bhagat Singh quotes
Mahatma Gandhi quotes
Lal Bahadur Shastri quotes

FAQs

Who are some Indian freedom fighters?

Mahatma Gandhi
Kunwar Singh
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Dadabhai Naoroji
Tantia Tope

Who is called the Father of Nation?

Mahatma Gandhi is called the Father of the Nation.

Who is Rani Lakshmi Bai?

Rani Lakshmi Bai was one of the most fierce members of the Revolution of 1857.

We hope this blog on Indian freedom fighters made you realize the struggle we went through to get Independence. Which one is your personal favourite freedom fighter? Let us know in the comment section below.  For more entertaining and informative and educational content, follow Leverage Edu on FacebookInstagram, and LinkedIn.

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