​5 unsung women freedom fighters of the Indian race to Independence

The Indian freedom movement is incomplete without acknowledging the unmatched courage and sacrifice of its women fighters. Though often overshadowed by their male counterparts, these women risked everything to contribute to the nation’s quest for independence.

Be it raising flags amid gunfire to organising youth and leading rebellions, their fearless actions inspired millions and changed the course of history forever.

Their stories are a true example for the understanding that true power lies in empowerment.


Here are five courageous women whose dedication and bravery influenced the freedom struggle of India

Tara Rani Srivastava stood resilient when police opened fire during a Quit India movement rally. Despite her husband falling to bullets, she bandaged his wounds, lifted the national flag, and marched ahead undeterred. Her unwavering courage symbolised the fearless spirit of countless Indian women who stepped forward when men were imprisoned, showing that sacrifice and determination were pillars of the fight for freedom.Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Bhikaji Cama was a pioneering figure who championed Indian independence on global stages. Living primarily outside India, she founded the Free India Society and boldly waved the Indian flag during the 1907 International Socialist Congress in Germany.

Beyond political activism, she advocated for gender equality, donating much of her wealth to empower girls, leaving a legacy celebrated by India even decades after independence.Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Begum Hazrat Mahal took control of Lucknow after the British ousted her husband, leading resistance during the 1857 rebellion. Known as the ‘Lakshmi Bai’ of Oudh, she motivated citizens to stand against British forces and fiercely defended her people.

Though forced to retreat, her bravery made her a symbol of female leadership and courage in India’s early struggles for self-rule.Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Moolmati’s strength lay in unwavering support for her son, Ram Prasad Bismil, a revolutionary who sacrificed his life for India’s freedom. Her proud acceptance of his fate and her active encouragement of her other son to join the struggle show the quiet but powerful role mothers played in nurturing the spirit of rebellion and sustaining the fight across generations.Photo: Shiny Roy/X

Bhogeshwari Phukanani’s bravery was seen during the 1942 movement in Assam. Leading a group to reclaim a Congress office, she confronted a British captain who disrespected the national flag by hitting him with the flagpole. Shot in retaliation, she became a martyr at 60, embodying the enduring spirit of defiance that ran through India’s various freedom movements.Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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