🚨🇮🇳INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE: BHARAT’S UNSUNG HEROES OF FREEDOM FIGHT
From Assam’s hills to Kerala’s coast, lesser-known revolutionaries & local legends rose to defy the Raj.
This Independence Day, Sputnik India honours the unsung warriors who lit the path to 1947 🧵👇
From Assam’s hills to Kerala’s coast, lesser-known revolutionaries & local legends rose to defy the Raj.
This Independence Day, Sputnik India honours the unsung warriors who lit the path to 1947 🧵👇
1️⃣ KANAKLATA BARUA
At just 17, Kanaklata Barua from Assam was shot by British police while marching with the Indian flag during the Quit India Movement in 1942.
She became a martyr for India’s east.
Her final cry was: “Vande Mataram!”
At just 17, Kanaklata Barua from Assam was shot by British police while marching with the Indian flag during the Quit India Movement in 1942.
She became a martyr for India’s east.
Her final cry was: “Vande Mataram!”
2️⃣ RANI VELU NACHIYAR
The first Indian queen who wage war against British colonial rule — and win in the 1780s.
She formed India’s first suicide bomber unit with Kuyili, Bharat’s first female martyr and human bomb, who blew up Raj’s armoury.
The first Indian queen who wage war against British colonial rule — and win in the 1780s.
She formed India’s first suicide bomber unit with Kuyili, Bharat’s first female martyr and human bomb, who blew up Raj’s armoury.
3️⃣ BAJI ROUT
One of India’s youngest martyrs — Baji Rout from Odisha blocked an empire.
Only 12, refused to ferry British soldiers across the river and was shot dead in cold blood
His bravery sparked outrage across Odisha.
One of India’s youngest martyrs — Baji Rout from Odisha blocked an empire.
Only 12, refused to ferry British soldiers across the river and was shot dead in cold blood
His bravery sparked outrage across Odisha.
4️⃣ RANI GAIDINLIU
In 1928, at just 13, a tribal warrior queen joined the Heraka movement against the British in Manipur & Nagaland.
She led the revolt after her cousin’s hanging, but captured at 16 and jailed for 14 years.
Nehru honoured her the “Daughter of the Hills.”
In 1928, at just 13, a tribal warrior queen joined the Heraka movement against the British in Manipur & Nagaland.
She led the revolt after her cousin’s hanging, but captured at 16 and jailed for 14 years.
Nehru honoured her the “Daughter of the Hills.”
5️⃣ JHAVERCHAND MEGHANI
A poet, journalist, & freedom fighter, Jhaverchand Meghani stirred a nation with the power of Gujarat’s folk songs & stories.
His words were so powerful, the British banned his books.
Rabindranath Tagore called him the "National Poet of Gujarat."
A poet, journalist, & freedom fighter, Jhaverchand Meghani stirred a nation with the power of Gujarat’s folk songs & stories.
His words were so powerful, the British banned his books.
Rabindranath Tagore called him the "National Poet of Gujarat."
6️⃣ BIRSA MUNDA
Jharkhand’s tribal icon, Birsa Munda led the 1899 Ulgulan (Great Tumult) against British land policies.
Captured & killed at just 25.
But immortal as “Dharti Aaba” (Father of the Forest).
Jharkhand’s tribal icon, Birsa Munda led the 1899 Ulgulan (Great Tumult) against British land policies.
Captured & killed at just 25.
But immortal as “Dharti Aaba” (Father of the Forest).
7️⃣ ANANT LAXMAN KANHERE
1909, at 18, he shot British collector at a Nasik theatre to avenge Ganesh Savarkar & other revolutionaries’ arrest & cruelty.
Hanged soon after, his act proved even the youngest would bravely face death to challenge colonial rule.
1909, at 18, he shot British collector at a Nasik theatre to avenge Ganesh Savarkar & other revolutionaries’ arrest & cruelty.
Hanged soon after, his act proved even the youngest would bravely face death to challenge colonial rule.
8️⃣ CHAPEKAR BROTHERS
In 1897, Pune’s Chapekar Brothers avenged the Raj’s brutal plague policies by killing the British Plague Commissioner.
Hanged at the gallows, their sacrifice inspired Savarkar, Bhagat Singh, and others—forcing the Raj to treat plague patients with dignity.
In 1897, Pune’s Chapekar Brothers avenged the Raj’s brutal plague policies by killing the British Plague Commissioner.
Hanged at the gallows, their sacrifice inspired Savarkar, Bhagat Singh, and others—forcing the Raj to treat plague patients with dignity.
9️⃣ KARTAR SINGH SARABHA
Only 19 when he was executed.
Punjab’s Kartar Singh Sarabha was the founding member of the Ghadar Party.
He wrote fiery poems, ran underground presses, & plotted revolution.
Bhagat Singh hailed him as his guru.
Only 19 when he was executed.
Punjab’s Kartar Singh Sarabha was the founding member of the Ghadar Party.
He wrote fiery poems, ran underground presses, & plotted revolution.
Bhagat Singh hailed him as his guru.
🔟 UDHAM SINGH
For 21 years, haunted by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, he sought justice for 1,000+ victims, including women & children, killed protesting the Rowlatt Act.
In 1940 London, he shot Michael O’Dwyer, the man who ordered the firing.
July 31: Singh was hanged in prison.
For 21 years, haunted by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, he sought justice for 1,000+ victims, including women & children, killed protesting the Rowlatt Act.
In 1940 London, he shot Michael O’Dwyer, the man who ordered the firing.
July 31: Singh was hanged in prison.
1️⃣1️⃣ V.O. CHIDAMBARAM PILLAI – The Tamil Helmsman (“Kappalottiya Tamizhan”)
Pillai, a lawyer & INC leader, launched India’s first Swadeshi shipping company to break British monopoly.
Though jailed with hard labour— chained to oil presses like a bull — his spirit stayed unbroken.
Pillai, a lawyer & INC leader, launched India’s first Swadeshi shipping company to break British monopoly.
Though jailed with hard labour— chained to oil presses like a bull — his spirit stayed unbroken.
1️⃣2️⃣ MATANGINI HAZRA
At 73, Bengal’s fearless grandmother of freedom “Gandhi Buri” (Old Lady Gandhi) was shot while leading a non-violent protest with the tricolour.
She didn’t fall, she marched on, chanting “Vande Mataram” till her last breath.
At 73, Bengal’s fearless grandmother of freedom “Gandhi Buri” (Old Lady Gandhi) was shot while leading a non-violent protest with the tricolour.
She didn’t fall, she marched on, chanting “Vande Mataram” till her last breath.
1️⃣3️⃣ TANTIA BHIL
Madhya Pradesh’s tribal leader & freedom fighter kown as the “Robin Hood of Central India, raided British treasuries & distributed among poor.
Eluded capture for 12 years before before being betrayed.
Hanged in 1889, he remains a hero in Bhil folklore.
Madhya Pradesh’s tribal leader & freedom fighter kown as the “Robin Hood of Central India, raided British treasuries & distributed among poor.
Eluded capture for 12 years before before being betrayed.
Hanged in 1889, he remains a hero in Bhil folklore.
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