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Rani Gaidinliu, born Gaidinliu Pamei, was a prominent leader who led a Naga rebellion against British colonial rule in India. At the age of 13, she joined the Heraka religious movement, led by her cousin. Over time, her role in the movement expanded, and it eventually became focused on driving the British out of the Naga regions, particularly in Manipur.
In 1932, at the age of 16, Gaidinliu was captured by British authorities. Although initially imprisoned, she was later released. In 1937, following a pledge from Jawaharlal Nehru, she was set free, and Nehru bestowed upon her the title "Rani," meaning "queen." This solidified her legacy as one of India’s most courageous freedom fighters.
Pritilata Waddedar, born on May 5, 1911, in Chittagong (now in Bangladesh), was a fearless revolutionary. As a teenager, she joined the Deepali Sangh to train in the use of weapons. Pritilata aspired to become a member of Surya Sen's Indian Revolutionary Army, which had very few female members.
During the Chittagong Armory Raid, Pritilata led an attack on the Pahartali European Club on September 23, 1932, disguised as a man. Although she was unable to escape after a shootout, she chose to end her life by ingesting cyanide rather than surrendering to the British.
Basanti Devi (1880–1974) became involved in the independence movement after her husband's arrest during the Non-Cooperation Movement. She joined the Khilafat Movement and participated in civil disobedience. Basanti was the founder of the Nari Karma Mandira, a women’s college, and she led the Bengal Provincial Congress. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1973.
Aruna Asaf Ali (1909–1996) was a renowned activist and one of the key leaders of the 1942 Quit India Movement. On August 9, 1942, she hoisted the Indian national flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, symbolizing her leadership in the struggle for independence.
For her courage, she earned the titles "Grand Old Lady of the Independence Struggle" and "Heroine of the 1942 Campaign." She also became the editor of the journal Inquilab, published by the Congress Party, and encouraged young people to take part in the revolution.
Matangi Hazra (1870–1942) was a freedom fighter from Bengal who became a symbol of bravery during the Quit India Movement. On September 29, 1942, Hazra was killed by British police during a protest in Midnapore District. She was honored with a statue in Kolkata, which was the first of its kind dedicated to a local female freedom fighter.
Bina Das (1911–1986) was a revolutionary from West Bengal. Her parents were social workers and freedom fighters, and Bina was actively involved in the Chhatri Sangha, a semi-revolutionary group. In 1932, she made an attempt to assassinate Bengal Governor Stanley Jackson in Calcutta but was unsuccessful after five failed attempts.
Sentenced to nine years in prison, Bina continued her activism after her release in 1939. She was later imprisoned again during the Quit India Movement from 1942 to 1945. Bina Das’s courage in the face of British oppression has made her a significant figure in India’s struggle for independence.
Suniti Chaudhury (1917–1988), along with her comrade Santi Ghose, was involved in the assassination of British district magistrate Charles Geoffrey Buckland Stevens at the age of 16. This daring act of rebellion earned her the title of "India's Youngest Female Revolutionary," and she is remembered as a pioneering figure among female freedom fighters.
Jhalkaribai (1830–1858) was a soldier in Rani Lakshmibai’s army during the 1857 Indian Rebellion. She became one of Lakshmibai’s most trusted advisors and played a crucial role in the defense of Jhansi. When the fort was under attack, Jhalkaribai impersonated the queen to give Lakshmibai more time to escape. Her bravery during the siege has immortalized her as a hero of the rebellion.
Begum Hazrat Mahal (1820–1879) was one of the few women who actively fought against the British during the 1857 revolt. After her husband, the Nawab of Lucknow, was exiled, she took charge of the resistance in Awadh. She led the rebellion in Lucknow, making her an iconic figure in the Indian struggle for independence.
Durga Bhabhi (1907–1999), also known as Durgawati Devi, played an essential role in Bhagat Singh's escape after the killing of John Saunders in 1928. She accompanied Bhagat Singh and his associates, pretending to be their servant during their train journey to Lahore. Later, she made an attempt to assassinate Lord Hailey, the former governor of Punjab, in retaliation for the deaths of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev.
Kittur Chennamma (1778–1829), the queen of Kittur in Karnataka, led a rebellion against the British after her son’s death in 1824. Initially, she achieved success by defeating the British, but during her second uprising, she was captured. Despite this, she is remembered as a symbol of resistance against British imperialism.
Sarla Devi Chaudhurani (1872–1945) was an activist and educator who founded Bharat Stree Mahamandal in 1910, the first organization in India dedicated to encouraging women to pursue higher education. Her efforts helped pave the way for women’s empowerment through education in India.
Mirabehn (1892–1982), born Madeleine Slade, was a British woman who moved to India to support Mahatma Gandhi’s independence movement. Though she was British by birth, she fully embraced Gandhi's principles of nonviolence and played an important role in the independence struggle. Mirabehn participated in the 1931 Round Table Conference alongside Gandhi and remained committed to India's freedom movement throughout her life.
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