Learnings from India’s women freedom fighters

By Piyush Sharma

“This society can never progress if anyone is left behind”

The different societies form the states and together they form this nation – India.This piece of land in Asia, which experienced a number of wars and ruler’s from mythology to history is a free independent country today. But still can’t name more than five women leaders who fought against the British. The country, which gave the idea of feminism, the nari shakti, rarely celebrates and value the women leaders for their sacrifices and austerity.

But why does that matter? Since every freedom fighter is respected in our country, it’s true that we can’t compare any two freedom fighters on the basis of patriotism. But as humans and especially women in a patriarchal society, it’s important to identify what value they added in our society and history, and that can inspire future generations.

While doing research for this essay, I found how women fought with true spirit and undaunted courage. A girl married at the age of seven, became queen of her state, refused colonial rule.- She became the face of the 1857 revolt. Today, we know her as the ‘Jhansi ki Rani’ or  Maa Laxmi Bai. Inspired by her bravery, Subhash Chandra Bose named his women regiment of Indian National Army, as Rani Lakshmi Bai regiment.

What made her unique was not because she was a woman. She is remembered because she had a choice to surrender but she chose to fight. Today many girls idealise her.

 Similarly, the brave queen of India from the state of Kerala named Keladi Chenamma shares similar stories. Kittur Chennamma of Karnataka state fought against the British East India company in 1824.

From the battlefield to the court-room, our women leaders fought for the people. 

Sarojini Chattopadhay Naidu,  the Nightingale of India went to London in 1919 for her continued efforts to advocate for freedom from British rule. The fight for independence, for their traditions, culture was something which can only be unique to an individual. Our current President of India Draupadi Murmu belongs to a tribal community of santhals of eastern India is playing a very important role. 

Maa Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu were two brave women who fought against the British for their country’s forest land. They were later betrayed, caught and hanged. At the age of 13,  Rani Gaidinliu, daughter of the hills, is an example who led a revolt against British rule in India. Maa Uda Devi, Vijay Laxmi Pandit, Moolmati, Tara Rani Srivastava, Captain Laxmi Sehgal are few names who dedicated their life for this country. Despite being from different communities, regions, and ethnicities, their goal was clear – to free this country from the British empire.

In today’s patriarchal society, it is very hard for women in that time to even get basic education and being in a society which does’nt respect your individuality, how can we except that women will come forward for this country, but the still came.

These women selflessly fought for our country for the sake of giving the future generation a free nation to live and thrive.  In my suggestion, women and girls today must take inspiration from these above-mentioned women-leaders or fighters to believe that they can achieve any milestone. And as individuals, we must constantly support the efforts made by each and every woman – at all levels – be it home, workspace, for the nation, and so on. 

“Bharat Mata Ki Jai!”