India’s rich stories of freedom fighters embody the courage and perseverance of individuals who relentlessly pursued independence from colonial rule. Their unwavering efforts against Dutch, Portuguese, French, Turkish, and most significantly, the British Raj, paved the way for the nation’s self-determination.
While trade provided an initial pretext for European incursion, the British East India Company, armed with a royal charter, gradually consolidated power, subjugating Indians for centuries. This ignited the flames of resistance, giving rise to a diverse array of freedom fighters.
Among them, Mahatma Gandhi stands as a towering figure, earning the title “Father of the Nation” for his non-violent resistance movement. He inspired countless others, including those often overlooked in history books, to actively participate in the struggle for freedom.
This article shines a light on these lesser-known heroes, recognizing their sacrifices and contributions to the cause. They stand alongside renowned leaders, reminding us that freedom was hard-won through the collective efforts of a nation united in its desire for self-rule.
Statewise freedom fighters
- Freedom fighters of Karnataka
- Freedom fighters of Andra Pradesh
- Freedom fighters of Tamil Nadu
- Freedom fighters of Kerala
Let us see the list of important freedom fighters and information with the images below.
List of Freedom Fighters in India
1. Mahatma Gandhi
- Full Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Born: 2 October 1869, Porbandar
- Died: 30 January 1948, New Delhi
- Spouse: Kasturba Gandhi (m. 1883–1944)
India’s liberation movement found a pivotal leader in Mahatma Gandhi, whose philosophy of non-violence and truth was honed after a defining incident during his travels in South Africa. He went on to spearhead the fight for independence, wielding truth and non-violence as his potent weapons, ultimately instrumental in dismantling British rule in India.
[ Also Checkout: Why Nathuram Godse Killed Gandhi? ]
2. Subhas Chandra Bose
- Full Name: Subhas Chandra Bose
- Born: 23 January 1897, Cuttack
- Died: 18 August 1945, Taipei, Taiwan
- Spouse: Emilie Schenkl (m. 1937–1945)
Subhas Chandra Bose has continuously fought after the violent movement against the British regime for independence. He left Congress even after becoming president of Congress in 1939, due to political differences with Mahatma Gandhi.
He created his own Indian National Party called Azad Hind Fauj, one of the great and powerful forces fighting against the British government. His death is still mysterious.
3. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
- Full Name: Jawaharlal Nehru
- Born: 14 November 1889, Prayagraj
- Died: 27 May 1964, New Delhi
- Spouse: Kamala Nehru (m. 1916–1936)
In India, many people were born great and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was one of them. He was the person who had great vision, honesty, hard work, sincerity, patriotism, and intellectual powers which helped in planning strategically against the British.
He became the first prime minister of independent India, so he is named the architect of modern India.
4. Tilka Manjhi
- Full Name: Baba Tilka Majhi
- Born: 11 February 1750, Sultanganj
- Died: 1785, Bhagalpur
Tilka Manjhi was the first Adivasi leader to take up arms against the British in 1784, some 100 years earlier than Mangal Pandey. He organized the Adivasis to form an armed group to fight against the hoarding of resources and the exploitation of the British.
In 1784 he was caught then tied to a ponytail and dragged to the collector’s house in Bhagalpur, Bihar. There he was hanged to a Banyan tree.
5. Sucheta Kriplani
- Full Name: Sucheta Kripalani
- Born: 25 June 1904, Ambala
- Died: 1 December 1974, New Delhi
- Spouse: J. B. Kripalani (m. 1938–1974)
Sucheta Kriplani a great women freedom fighter, and was greatly inspired by the work of Mahatma Gandhi and in 1946 she joined Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust as secretary of the organization. In her last years, she started working with Gandhi Ji.
Even after independence, she worked for the weakest sectors of society and actively participates in the development of the Indians.
6. Taraknath Das
- Full Name: Taraknath Das
- Born: 15 June 1884, Kanchrapara
- Died: 22 December 1958, New York, New York, United States
- Spouse: Mary Morse (m. 1924)
Taraknath Das is the founder of the Indian Independence League, which is carried out with the active participation of Panduranga Khankoje. He even received funds to launch his newspaper called Free Hindustan, published in English.
His newspaper, Free Hindustan, was an anti-British organization that led to the formation of the Gadar party and encouraged the people.
7. Surendranath Banerjee
- Full Name: Surendranath Banerjee
- Born: 10 November 1848, Kolkata
- Died: 6 August 1925, Barrackpore
Surendranath Banerjee was selected for the Civil Services of India in 1896 but was fired for controversial reasons. He also distinguished himself as a journalist by launching powerful press campaigns, particularly through his newspaper Bengalee to spread nationalist sentiments across the country.
He played an important role in the Swadeshi movement and in the movements launched against the partition of Bengal.
8. Ullaskar Dutta
- Full Name: Ullaskar Dutta
- Born: 16 April 1885, Brahmanbaria District, Bangladesh
- Died: 17 May 1965, Kolkata
Professor Russell, one of the British professors, made offensive comments about the Bengali community. Ullaskar Dutta could not keep calm before this insult and ended up attacking the professor.
He was a member of the Jugantar party and became an expert in bomb-making. Khudiram Bose used a bomb made by Ullaskar and Hem Chandra Das to try to assassinate a brutal magistrate, Kingsford. Later was captured and prisoned for several years.
9. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev
- Full Name: Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar
- Born: 1907 Banga, 1908 Rajgurunagar, 1908 Ludhiana
- Died: 23 March 1931, Lahore, Pakistan
Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, the group of friends involved in the revolutionary activities to create fear for the British and killed a British officer, and they were arrested.
On 23rd March 1931 Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hanged but their last word inspires us even today “Inquilab Zindabad”. Having such daring moves at a young age made us remember even today.
10. Sarat Chandra Bose
- Full Name: Sarat Chandra Bose
- Born: 6 September 1889, Cuttack
- Died: 20 February 1950, Kolkata
- Spouse: Bivabati Devi
Sarat Chandra Bose was an Indian freedom fighter and also the elder brother of Subhas Chandra Bose. He was the head of the National Congress of India in the Central Legislative Assembly.
He helped enormously to form the National Army of India, which was then led by his brother Subhas Chandra Bose. After independence, Sarat Chandra Bose directed the Forward block, formed by his brother.
[ Also check out: Top 10 Freedom Fighters of India ]
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