Freedom Fighters of India List 1857-1947, Names, Contribution

India has a rich history of freedom fighters who played significant roles in the country’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Freedom Fighters of India have struggled and sacrificed their lives to free India from British rule. A big group of revolutionaries and activists from various racial and ethnic backgrounds came together to abolish the control of foreign imperialists and their Colonialism in India. These individuals fought tirelessly, sacrificing their lives and liberties for the cause of freedom. In this article, we have discussed the Freedom Fighters of India’s Struggle and essential events.

Freedom Fighters Role in India

Behind the 15th of August, 1947, Independence Day celebration, there is a violent and chaotic history of horrible uprisings, battles, and movements led by tens of thousands of brave and patriotic Indian independence fighters who fought alongside the British for India’s independence.

To free India from British rule, every one of India’s freedom warriors fought, toiled, and frequently gave their lives. To end the rule of foreign imperialists and their Colonialism in India, a sizable group of revolutionaries and activists from various racial and ethnic backgrounds got together.

Their achievements, which vary from armed revolution to nonviolent resistance, all contributed significantly to India’s eventual conquest of freedom. Numerous additional patriots, both well-known and unknown, sacrificed their lives for the nation’s liberty alongside these legendary personalities. Their combined efforts and sacrifices are still remembered today and serve as a symbol of the unyielding spirit that guided India towards independence.

Lists of Indian Freedom Fighters

India’s freedom struggle was a long and arduous journey, with many brave men and women sacrificing their lives for the cause. Here are some of the most notable freedom fighters of India from 1857 to 1947 with their contributions:

Top 10 Freedom Fighters of India

India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, a significant day that occurred almost 75 years ago. It was the result of a number of movements and conflicts that raged all through the period of British administration, including the famous uprising of 1857.

Many revolutionary Indian freedom fighters, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, and others, took the initiative in organising the campaign that resulted in India’s independence, which was attained thanks to their efforts. The Indian freedom fighters who gave their lives to guarantee India’s independence are featured on this site.

1. Mahatma Gandhi

The immense sacrifices that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi made for India earned him the title of “Father of the Nation”; he was born on October 2, 1869. Along with inspiring numerous other independence movements and human rights movements around the world, he not only helped lead India to independence but also played a significant role in its victory. India is recognized for embracing the concept of nonviolence thanks to Gandhi, popularly known as Bapu. He thought that nonviolent resistance and an unwillingness to cooperate with the British would be enough to bring about independence.

2. Subhas Chandra Bose

One of the most successful Indian nationalists in history was Subhash Chandra Bose. He was created in Cuttack on January 23, 1897. He was widely referred to as Netaji. He was a fervent nationalist, and his unwavering patriotism made him a hero. Bose belonged to the radical faction of the Indian independence movement. He served as the head of a radical young wing of Congress from the beginning of the 1920s to the end of 1930. He is believed to have died in an aviation accident on August 18, 1945, although the cause of his passing is still unknown.

3. Bhagat Singh

On September 28, 1907, in Banga, Pakistan, Bhagat Singh was born. He was among the most extreme Indian liberation fighters. In the freedom struggle for India, he was a divisive but respected figure. His involvement in a plot to assassinate James Scott, a British police superintendent, in 1928 as vengeance for Lala Lajpat Rai’s demise was revealed. On March 23, 1931, the British executed this heroic Indian Freedom Fighters by hanging him at Lahore Central Jail in Lahore, Pakistan. He was only 23 years old at the time. He is well known by the name Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

4. Mangal Pandey

Mangal Pandey, a well-known Indian freedom fighter who was born on July 19th, 1827, is frequently seen as the forerunner of India’s first war for independence, the 1857 uprising against the British. As a soldier in the 34th Bengal Native Infantry regiment of the East India Company‘s army, he led the Sepoy rebellion that ultimately resulted in the 1857 uprising. In anticipation of a Sepoy uprising, British officers killed him on April 8, 1857, at Barrackpore, ten days early.

5. Rani Laxmi Bai

On November 19, 1828, the Queen of Jhansi Rani Laxmibai was born in Varanasi. She goes by the stage name Manu and goes by the name Manikarnika Tambe. She was one of the most tenacious soldiers in the Revolutionary War. She inspired numerous Indian women to fight for their country’s freedom, and she still inspires women to defend their rights today. She defended her fortress with her infant child when British troops invaded it in 1858. On June 18, 1858, in Gwalior, she perished in the Battle against a Huge Rose.

6. Jawaharlal Nehru

He joined the 1916 Annie Besant-led Home Rule League movement. He was detained multiple times during the struggle for freedom, and between 1921 and 1945 he spent a total of 9 years behind bars. He was an active member of the United Province’s Non-Cooperation movement and served as its leader. He participated in the salt satyagraha as well. While the Indian National Congress desired dominion status, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subash Chandra Bose believed that the Indian National Congress’s ultimate goal should be complete independence or Poorna Swaraj. On August 15, 1947, he took office as India’s first prime minister.

7. Lala Lajpat Rai

The Punjab Kesari, Lala Lajpat Rai, joined the Indian National Congress. He was one of the founding members of the 1894-founded Punjab National Bank. He established the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School in Lahore in 1885. The Indian Home Rule League of America was established by him in New York in 1917. He established the Servants of People Society in Lahore in 1921 with the goal of recruiting and educating native missionaries to serve their country. He participated in demonstrations against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, the Rowlatt Act, and the Partition of Bengal.

8. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak founded the Indian National Congress’ hardline wing. He started the Ganeshotsav and Shivaji Utsav celebrations in 1894. He spread nationalism among the populace through these two celebrations. He started the Ganeshotsav and Shivaji Utsav celebrations in 1894. He spread nationalism among the populace through these two celebrations.

Through the two publications he founded, Mahratta (English) and Kesari (Marathi), he promoted the cause of national freedom and educated Indians about their illustrious past and rich cultural legacy. He introduced the Trisutri three-point agenda for national awakening, which stands for Swaraj, Swadeshi, and National Education.

9. Jyotiba Phule

Jyotiba Phule founded India’s first girls’ school in August 1848, and it was located in Tatyasaheb Bhide’s home. Later, he opened two additional schools for girls and people from lower castes (Mahars and Mangs). He was an early supporter of women’s education in India because he thought that only education could alleviate social injustices. He founded the  Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth-Seekers) in 1873 with the intention of enhancing the social rights and political access of the less fortunate segments of society.

10. Dadabhai Naroji

Together with Indians and retired British officers in London, he established the East India Association in 1866. The organisation advocated for Indians under British rule and brought up issues for consideration. Dadabhai Naoroji’s book, Poverty and Un-British rule in India, which exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British, were his most significant contribution. He opposed the 1878 Vernacular Press Act. He supported the inclusion of Indians in the House of Commons and the Indianization of bureaucracy.

List of Women Freedom Fighters in India

India has been home to numerous courageous and inspiring women freedom fighters who played pivotal roles in the country’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Here is a list of some prominent women freedom fighters in India. For a complete List of Women Freedom Fighters of India check the given link.

Sarojini Naidu

• She was also referred to as the “Nightingale of India” and was a renowned poet, independence warrior, and orator.
• In 1925, she was chosen to lead the Indian National Congress.
• She advocated for the Quit India Movement and the Khilafat Movement (Indian Disobedience).

Madam Bhikaji Cama

• She unfurled the first Indian National Flag in 1907 in Germany at the International Socialist Conference.

Begum Hazrat Mahal

• She also went by the name “Begum of Awadh” and was a key player in India’s First Independence War (1857-58).
• In the Revolt, she collaborated with Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope, and others.
• The Indian government released a stamp in 1984 to honour the Begum Hazrat Mahal.

Aruna Asaf Ali

• Aruna participated in open marches during the Salt Satyagraha and was a committed member of the Congress Party.
• She was the editor of the Indian National Congress’ monthly publication “In-Qilab.”
• She is referred to as the Independence Movement’s Grand Old Lady.
• During the Quit India Movement, she is renowned for raising the flag of the Indian National Congress in Bombay.

Annie Besant

• She joined the Indian National Congress and was active in political and educational endeavours in India. She was a distinguished Theosophical Society member from Ireland.
• She served as the Congress’s first female president.
• She founded the Indian Home Rule Movement in 1916.
• She founded the “New India” newspaper.
• She founded several institutions and schools, such as the Central Hindu College High School in Banaras (1913).

Kasturba Gandhi

• She joined with Indigo workers in Champaran, Bihar, in the No Tax Campaign and the Rajkot Satyagraha and was a leader of the Women’s Satyagraha.

Kamala Nehru

• Kamala Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru’s wife, was active in the freedom movement
• She helped to organise parades, picket liquor and foreign clothing stores, and organise the United Provinces No Tax Campaign.

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

• She was the president of the Congress Party and the daughter of Motilal Nehru.
• She joined the Non-Cooperation Movement in an effort to challenge British dominance.
• She was detained both in 1940 and 1942, both times during the Quit India Movement.
• Following India’s independence, she represented it at numerous international conventions.

The top Freedom Fighters of India are listed along with what they did for the nation. Indian women made just as much of an impact on the country’s independence as Indian men did. We also wrote a separate article about the Women Freedom Fighters of India.

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Top 100 Freedom Fighters of India

1. Mahatma Gandhi
2. Jawaharlal Nehru
3. Subhash Chandra Bose
4. Bhagat Singh
5. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
6. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
7. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
8. Lala Lajpat Rai
9. Sarojini Naidu
10. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
11. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
12. C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji)
13. Rani Lakshmibai
14. Dadabhai Naoroji
15. Chandra Shekhar Azad
16. Annie Besant
17. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
18. Bipin Chandra Pal
19. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
20. Rajendra Prasad
21. Aruna Asaf Ali
22. Ashfaqulla Khan
23. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Bacha Khan)
24. Birsa Munda
25. Alluri Sitarama Raju
26. Ram Prasad Bismil
27. Khudiram Bose
28. Chandrashekhar Azad
29. Rani Gaidinliu
30. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
31. Veer Savarkar
32. Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar
33. Rajkumar Shukla
34. Bhikaji Cama
35. M.K. Gandhi (Gandhiji)
36. Bhagat Singh
37. Sukhdev
38. Rajguru
39. Batukeshwar Dutt
40. Sucheta Kriplani
41. Jatin Das
42. Bahadur Shah Zafar II
43. Begum Hazrat Mahal
44. Jawaharlal Nehru
45. Chittaranjan Das
46. Kanaklata Barua
47. Usha Mehta
48. K.Kamaraj
49. Khudiram Bose
50. Rani Abbakka
51. Surya Sen
52. Begum Hazrat Mahal
53. Lokmanya Tilak
54. Jogendra Nath Mandal
55. Veer Surendra Sai
56. Moulvi Ahmadullah Shah
57. Sarojini Naidu
58. Dr. Annie Besant
59. Gopaldas Neeraj
60. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
61. Matangini Hazra
62. Batukeshwar Dutt
63. Nana Saheb
64. Kasturba Gandhi
65. Usha Mehta
66. Pritilata Waddedar
67. Surendranath Banerjee
68. Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy
69. Rani Velu Nachiyar
70. Ram Manohar Lohia
71. Bhikaiji Rustom Cama
72. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
73. Matangini Hazra
74. Mangal Pandey
75. Jawaharlal Nehru
76. Vinayak Savarkar
77. Nellie Sengupta
78. Moulana Azad
79. Govind Ballabh Pant
80. Lala Lajpat Rai
81. Chittaranjan Das
82. B.R. Ambedkar
83. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
84. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
85. Rani Padmini
86. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
87. Rajendra Prasad
88. Surendranath Banerjee
89. Bipin Chandra Pal
90. Annie Besant
91. Kazi Nazrul Islam
92. Shyamji Krishna Varma
93. Mahadev Govind Ranade
94. Dadabhai Naoroji
95. P.V. Narasimha Rao
96. Abul Kalam Azad
97. Gopinath Bordoloi
98. Lala Hansraj Gupta
99. Jogendranath Mandal
100. Dadabhai Naoroji

Challenges Faced by Freedom Fighters

The freedom fighters of India faced a number of challenges, including:

• British Repression: The British government was ruthless in its suppression of the Indian independence movement. Freedom fighters were often arrested, tortured, and killed. The British also used a number of other repressive measures, such as the Rowlatt Act and the Defense of India Act, to stifle dissent.
• Internal Divisions: The Indian independence movement was divided into different factions, which sometimes made it difficult to achieve unity and coordination. Some factions believed in non-violent resistance, while others believed in armed resistance. There were also divisions between different religious and caste groups.
• Social and Economic Problems: India was a poor and underdeveloped country, which made it difficult to mobilize the people and sustain the independence movement. Many Indians were illiterate and impoverished, and they were more concerned with their everyday survival than with politics.
• Lack of International Support: The Indian independence movement did not receive much international support in the early years. The British were a powerful and influential country, and many other countries were reluctant to support a movement that could challenge British rule.

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