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Aruna Asaf Ali, also known as the ‘Grand Old Lady Of Indian Independence’ was an Indian freedom fighter and had a prominent role in the Quit India Movement, she was born in Kalka Punjab which is now the state of Haryana and had a great influence on the Indian Independence Struggle. Read this blog to learn more about the life of Aruna Asaf Ali and her contributions to Indian society.
Table of Contents
Overview of Aruna Asaf Ali’s Life
| Aspect | Description |
| Name | Aruna Asaf Ali |
| Professions | Educator, Political Activist |
| Nickname | Grand Old Lady Of Indian Independence |
| Date Of Birth | July 16, 1909 |
| Place Of Birth | Kalka Punjab now Haryana |
| Known For | Hoisting the Indian National Flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan during the Quit India Movement (1942)First Mayor of Delhi (Post-Independence) |
| Political Party | Communist Party Of India |
| Other Affiliations | Indian National Congress |
| Awards | Bharat RatnaJawaharlal Nehru AwardPadma Vibushan International Lenin Peace Prize |
Aruna Asaf Ali’s Early Life
Born on July 16, 1909, in Kalka Punjab which is now Haryana.
- Upendranath Ganguly and Ambalika Devi. Ambalika Devi was the daughter of Trailokyanath Sanyal a prominent leader of the Brahmo Samaj
- Aruna graduated from All Saints College in Nainital and started working as a teacher at the Gokhale Memorial School in Calcutta.
Also read: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Life, Contributions, and Impact
Contribution To The Indian Freedom Struggle
| Period | Activity | Significance |
| The early 1930s | Participated in protests during the Salt Satyagraha | She demonstrated her commitment to non-violent resistance against British rule. |
| 1930 | Arrested for activism | Highlighted the British practice of detaining protestors. |
| 1942 | Hoisted The Indian National Flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan | Became a powerful symbol of defiance during the Quit India Movement, inspiring others to continue the fight for freedom despite leadership arrests. |
| Later Part Of 1942 | Used to edit the magazine ‘Inquilab’ | Helped to keep the spirit of resistance alive by disseminating information and messages |
Aruna Asaf Ali’s Life Post Independence
After India’s independence, she became a member of the Congress Socialist Party.
- She left the Congress Socialist Party and joined the Communist Party of India (CPI).
- Asaf Ali, her husband, died in 1953.
- She formed the women’s wing of CPI, called the National Federation of Indian Women, in 1954.
- In 1958, she became the first mayor of Delhi.
- Aruna Asaf Ali passed away on July 29, 1996, at the age of 87.
FAQs
Aruna Asaf Ali was an Indian freedom fighter known for her role in the Quit India Movement and as the first Mayor of Delhi post-independence.
She gained prominence for hoisting the Indian National Flag during the Quit India Movement in 1942, symbolizing defiance against British rule.
Aruna Asaf Ali contributed significantly to India’s freedom struggle through activism, including her role in protests and as a leader in the Quit India Movement.
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