Women have been a constant source of strength and inspiration in contemporary times, and the same applied during the Indian freedom movement era. India achieved independence from colonial rule not only because of the bravery of men but also because women gave equal support through their unwavering patriotism, resilience and determination. Indian history is replete with major contributions from women. Join us at Top 10s Only as we delve into the remarkable stories of the Top 10 Women Freedom Fighters Of Uttar Pradesh.
List Of Female Freedom Fighters Of Uttar Pradesh
Many of the freedom fighters who played important roles in India’s freedom movement were from Uttar Pradesh. The brave acts of its daughters and sons are undeniable as they sacrificed their lives for this cause. If you are wondering who are the female freedom fighters from Uttar Pradesh? Here is the answer to it with our top 10 list of female freedom fighters of Uttar Pradesh and their contributions.
Abadi Bano Begum
Born in 1850 in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh Abadi Bano was a prominent female freedom fighter from Uttar Pradesh for India’s freedom movement. Fondly called Bi Amma she was the mother of the Khilafat movement’s leading leaders, the Ali brothers. Bi Amma has the distinction of being the first Muslim woman to take part in the freedom movement. Her activities included taking part in demonstrations for the release of her sons and Anne Besant. She advocated Hindu-Muslim unity and the use of Khadi. She addressed gatherings to work for the Swaraj movement and also insisted that women join the freedom struggle. She toured many places to collect money for the Khilafat movement and worked towards achieving freedom until she died in 1924.
Lakshmibai Newalkar, the Rani of Jhansi
Rani Lakshmibai popularly called Jhansi Ki Rani was the brave ruler of Jhansi and is the most popular freedom fighter of Uttar Pradesh and India. Her remarkable life is linked to the 1857 Indian rebellion and remains a symbol of Indian resistance against British rule. After the death of her husband Maharaja Gangadhar Rao Newalkar in 1853, the East Indian Company annexed Jhansi as they did not recognise the claim of the throne to the adopted heir under the Doctrine of Lapse. The Rani did not agree and fought against the British. She formed allies with rebels like Tatya Tope and fought the British. She participated in many battles including the Battle of Gwalior and the Siege of Jhansi. But the British prevailed and she achieved martyrdom in 1858 but her legends continue to be praised even today.
Jhalkaribai
Born in 1830, in a village near Jhansi, Jhalkaribai wanted to become a soldier from a young age. She achieved her dream and became one of the trusted advisors of Rani Lakshmibai. She learnt to weaponry, horse riding, and wrestling from a young age and her bravery helped her become a soldier in Jhansi Rani’s army. She quickly became one of the trusted people of the Queen and was part of the Durga Dal, the Queen’s army for the battle against the British. Jhalkari disguised herself as a queen at the peak of the battle and fought in her place which allowed the Queen to exit out of danger. It is also said that Jhalkaribai played a major role in strategising and analysing the battle of Gwalior along with Lakshmibai. Her brave act still inspires the people of India and is not only counted among the ten female freedom fighters of Uttar Pradesh but also India.
Uda Devi
Uda Devi Pasi is another popular person in the female freedom fighters of Uttar Pradesh list who actively took part in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Born in 1830 in Ujariyaon, Lucknow in a Dalit community she became a member of the sixth Nawab of Awadh’s women’s squad. Uda Devi fought the British with great valour but she was killed during the Revolt. She and the other Dalit female participants are remembered as Dalit Veeranganas even today.
Saroj Kumari Gaurihar
Saroj Kumari Gaurihar is another luminary in our list of lady freedom fighters of Uttar Pradesh who was a politician and a writer from the Gaurihar princely state. Born in 1929, in Agra Uttar Pradesh she was a well-educated woman with a double graduation. Inspired by her freedom fighter parents she too took part in the 1942 Quit India movement. She along with her parents was sent to jail in 1943 for a year. Post-independence she was an MLA from 1967 to -72 from Chandla Assembly Constituency and put in great efforts to improve the area. She published many books and composed poems. She died at the age of 93 as the last queen and Rajmata of Gaurihar state.
Uma Nehru
Next in the Uttar Pradesh freedom fighters list is Uma Nehru. Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in 1884 she was one of the most progressive women of her era and a pioneer of the Indian feminist movement. She was a freedom fighter, activist and politician who participated in the civil disobedience movement. She was a writer in the first women-centric journal, Stree Darpan. She wrote about women’s equality and also urged them to participate in the freedom movement. She gave political speeches at Orai where she showcased the sacrifices of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi and Bhagat Singh. There were a large number of women attendees in her campaigns. The civil disobedience movement too saw a rise in women leaders due to her speeches and discourses.
Begum Hazrat Mahal
Begum Hazrat Mahal popularly known as Begum of Awadh is one of the top 10 women freedom fighters of Uttar Pradesh. She was Wajid Ali Shah (Nawab of Awadh) second wife. She is known for her role in leading the rebellion against the East India Company in 1857. Begum Hazrat Mahal was one of the women leaders of great prominence during the First War of Independence and took over leadership during the Awadh uprising after her husband was exiled. She showed exemplary bravery and refused to surrender despite losing Awadh territory. She escaped to Nepal with her army but continued to fight the British till her death. Her role in the Indian rebellion gave her a heroine status in the Indian history.
Subhadra Kumari Chauhan
Born on August 16, 1904, in Nihalpur, Uttar Pradesh she is one of Uttar Pradesh’s women freedom fighters of India and a well-known poet. In 1921, she along with her husband joined the Non-cooperation movement and after a few years led the Jabalpur Jhanda Satyagraha where the Indian flag was raised over the city. Subhadra was the first woman in Nagpur to be arrested and was sent to jail twice for protests against the British in 1923 and 1942. Subhadra authored many patriotic poems including the one describing Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai’s life. She through her writings fought for India’s independence and also wrote about women’s hardships. Subhadra passed away in 1948 and her role in the freedom struggle is remembered even today.
Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh she was a freedom fighter, politician and diplomat. She is one of the famous freedom fighters of Uttar Pradesh not because she was Jawaharlal Nehru’s sister but because like her brother she too took an active part in the freedom struggle activities. She spent time in jail for her participation in the Quit India movement as well as other freedom movements. She was the All India Women’s Conference leader and the first woman to have a cabinet position during the pre-independence era. Post-independence she became a diplomat, and a politician and was a harsh critic of Indira Gandhi especially during the 1975 emergency. She helped the Janata Party win the election in 1977 and was appointed the UN Human Rights Commission Indian representative in 1979 post this she retired from politics.
Smt. Premvati Mishra
Smt Premvati Mishra was a freedom fighter and a social worker who made important contributions to India’s freedom struggle. She showed that the role of women in the Indian freedom struggle was not limited to attaining freedom from the British but also freedom from social problems. She fearlessly participated in the freedom movements of 1930 and 1942 and was arrested by the British for her activities. She not only dedicated her life to India’s freedom but also to the cause of destitute women and children.
Unsung Heroes of the Freedom Movement from Uttar Pradesh
India’s fight for freedom from British rule was arduous and long. Starting from the 19th century the struggle finally ended in 1947 and many prominent people from the state played a big role. Men may have taken the lead, but women too contributed to many crucial aspects of the freedom movement and were shoulder to shoulder in the pursuit. The above women showed undeterred bravery, and real spirit and faced several challenges to get us freedom. Saluting India’s unsung women freedom fighters!
FAQs
Who was the first Indian President of the United Nations Organization?
Vijaylakshmi Pandit was the first Indian President of the United Nations Organization.