From revolting against British to gaining freedom for their land, revolutionaries overthrew one of the world’s biggest rules & blessed India with Independence.
With 72 years of liberty, the country has grown to great heights. Now, that everyone is swell with national pride it seems appropriate to look back at those who gave up their lives for our better future.
We grew up reading about their sacrifices & efforts of freedom fighters to clench India from the British’s grasp. But there are many such martyrs whom history failed to recognise.
So, we bring you stories of 10 little known Freedom Fighters Who Died For The Nation
1. Surya Sen (A teacher, leader and patriot)
Teacher turned patriot, led an army in Bengal
A revolutionary in the truest sense, Sen led the Chittagong armoury raid of Bengal in 1930. He was a teacher who resorted to the path of ridding India off British. With his acute leadership, he infused people with patriotism. Because of his national sentiments, he was captured & later hanged. However, his efforts didn’t die with him but ended up inspiring generations to come.
2. Matangini Hazra ( A lady who loved the country, immensely)
Shot by a policemen, died chanting “Vande Matram”
She actively took to Quit India Movement and Non Cooperation Movement. A stalwart supporter of Gandhi, she took part in Civil Disobedience Act but was later arrested for not following the Salt Act. Sadly, during Quit India Movement, she appealed to police not to open fire at the crowd and ended up getting shot once. Soon, the police did the opposite & started shooting people. Hazra was shot multiple times, clenching the Indian flag in her hand and chanting “Vande Matram”
3. Peer Ali Khan
A forgotten hero. Was given capital punishment for his rebellion.
Taking part in the fight for Independence as early as 1857, Peer Ali was one of the first who dreamed of leading India into sovereignty. In his struggle, he alongwith 14 others, was given capital punishment for his involvement in freedom movement. We dearly remember this patriot & wish he never would have gotten lost in the pages of history.
4. Tirupur Kumaran
An exemplar of sheer love & respect of the nation. Killed while leading a protest against British.
He founded Desa Bandhu Youth Association to protest against the British. While leading a protest march against the colonial government in 1932, he was killed. When succumbing to his wounds, he was found holding the Indian national flag!
5. Khudiram Bose
Country came before age for him. Hanged at the age of 18.
One of the youngest revolutionaries of India, Bose tried to assassinate a judge named Kingsford. He couldn’t succeed in his mission as the carriage he blew up, didn’t have Kingsford in it but two ladies. Soon, Bose was arrested for killing the women. Later, he was hanged at a tender age of 18 years, 8 months 8 days.
6. Benoy Badal Dinesh
Swiftly descended to martyrdom. A trio who infiltrated a police station to kill a brutal officer.
The trio of three rebels, Benoy Basu (22), Badal Gupta (18) and Dinesh Gupta (19). They entered Winter’s Building as impostors, wearing British outfits. Their plan was to infiltrate and kill the vicious Inspector General of Police, Colonel NS Simpson. Although succeeding in their plan, they got outnumbered in the police station. Benoy took a cyanide pill and the rest shot themselves, dying in the name of the nation.
7. Bhogeswari Phukanani
Died a leader. Shot by a British army man, died holding Indian flag.
She actively participated in India’s yearn to freedom. During the Independence Movement, the Berhampur Indian national congress Office was forcibly taken by the British. She, alongwith her sons, took part in freeing the office from their clutches. She succeeded! Later, she was reportedly leading a group of people, holding the Indian flag and chanting slogans like “Vande matram”. A British army man tried to take the flag from her, she resisted and hit him with a pole but ended up getting shot.
8. Kanaklata Barua
One of the youngest martyrs. Shot at the age of 17.
Barua was from Assam and preached strong national sentiments. During the Quit India Movement, she was leading a procession of unarmed villagers to host Indian Flag at the local police station. Despite several warnings from the police she proceeded and ended up getting shot. She was only 17 when she succumbed to martyrdom.
9. Kittur Chennamma
A ruler who tried to overthrow the British rule. One of the first lady rulers who fought for independence.
The Rani of Kittur, Karnataka, was one of the first lady rulers to revolt against the British. Her story of patriotism dates back to 1824. To overthrow British East India Company, she led an armed rebellion but eventually got captured. While imprisoned, she was killed and went on to become a folk heroine as well as the symbol of the Independence Movement in India.
10. Kushal Konwar
A proud martyr who put the nation before his family
During the last stages of Quit India Movement, Konwar led the Sarupathar Congress Committee. In 1942, some people sabotaged a train & many British soldiers lost their lives. Kushal was convicted for this crime and received death sentence.
The stories of these little known freedom fighters may not form a part of schools’ history books but their sacrifices & efforts still hold great importance. We salute their passion for the nation!