top 10 freedom fighters of India

2.  The Indian War of Independence from the British Colonial Powers lasted for
numerous decades and finally after a long struggle freedom was achieved. It was a war
that abolished British supremacy in the world. Hundreds and thousands of men, women
and children fought for it till their last breath and some like Shaheed Bhagat Singh
even in their death. I might not be able to pay my respects to all of those great souls. But
that doesn’t mean that their contribution wasn’t worthwhile. The free air that we breath,
and every walk that we take is all because of those noble ones and this is a tribute to them-
This one is to them, to Freedom!

3.  One of the most iconic menthat ever tookbirth and still continues to
survive in the lessons of passive-resistance and non-violence that he
selflesslygave to the world, hence making it a muchbetter place. He gave
up everything, his law career; his house and wealthyfamilytofight for
justice and for the betterment of his people whowere being treated as third
class citizensbythe colonial British.Eveninthe harshest of conditions,
he never gave up his morals and rules, no matter what the cost of it.
Mahatma Gandhi has right fullybeengiventhe title of the father of the
nationas India truly owes its independence as a republic and a democracy
to thisShort, thin brownmanwho needed a stick while walking to support
him but who was strong enoughto take the responsibilityof anentire
countryand usher it to the world of sovereignty.

4.  A stoic lawyer from Gujarat, Patel’s was a prominent leader of the Indian National
Congress. He had actively participated in the Civil Disobedience movement and the
Quit India Movement started my Mahatma Gandhi. But Patel’s true role came
after the Independence. At that time India was separated into numerous princely
states. He took the responsibility of making sure that all the monarchies were abolished
and for the benefit of the nation, the entire country should be under one government body.
India was divided into two independent states of India and Pakistan (to house the
Muslim population). Now one such Moarch-the Nizam of Hyderabad (A state that
is situated in the centre of present India) was allied to Pakistan. He refused to co-
operate with the Indian Government even after numerous pleas as geographically it was
impossible for Hyderabad to become a part of a different nation when it is right in centre
of India. Hence Sardar Patel made sure that the Nizam was brought under control by
hook or by crook and sent packing alone to Pakistan. Even the people of Hyderabad
wanted to be a part of India.

5.  A revolutionarywho was brought up inthe patriotic atmosphere,
Shaheed Bhagat Singh, where Shaheed means ‘Martyr’, from a very
young age all he ever dreamed was of seeing his countryfree.He met
Rajguru and Sukhdev whoshared histhoughtsand together theyfought
severalguerrilla wars fighting and revolting everyBritishlawthat was
against the civiliansand also against the right of humanity.The
Jallianwalla BaughMassacre is one such example of the colonial
inhumanity. He evenblasted bombs inside the Assemblyhall shouting
slogans of ‘Inqualab Zindabad’( Independence Prevails) to revolt
against two laws-“Trade UnionDispute Bill” and “Public Safety
Bill”.Allthree were arrested and hanged todeath. Their death, instead
of silencing the people, actuallyacted ascatalyst that ignited the fire
withinpeople as even while leaving all three kept uttering-“ Sar Kata
Sakte Hai mar, Sar Zhuka Sakte Nahi” ( We canhave our heads
chopped but not bowed).

6.  ‘She fought a man’s war, she was Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi’ go the lyrics of a song
written in her honor. Lakshmi bai was a queen of the Princely state of Jhansi. During the
ongoing Revolt of 1857, The British government ordered that all princely states that do not
have a male heir will be taken over by the government. Queen Lakshmi bai was widowed and
had an adopted son. But she refused to give her reign. When the troops of the Colonial power
arrived to the fort, they found it well defended by the army of Queen Jhansi. She led her
troops and fought the battle. It has also been reported that she commanded the largest women’s
army till date. When finally she saw that they were losing the battle, she tied her son to her
back and started riding away to save her son with colonial army chasing her. Unfortunately her
luck had passed and her horse fell and she with it fell over breaking her head. Her words ‘Mein
Apni Jhansi nahi Dundi’ (I will not give my Jhansi) have gone down in history for the
sheer bravery of this woman who fought a man’s war.

7.  MangalPandeywas a soldier in the Britishtroops. In
1847, there were rumours spreading that the cartridges
supplied bythe East India Company had pork and beef
inthem and this was against the religionof both Hindus
and Muslims. At that time, Pandeyconvinced his
colleagues that the Companywouldn’t do anything of this
sort. But later after a series of event he realised that the
Company didn’t have the best interest of the Indian
populationinits mind and was just them like slaves.The
windsof anuprising had alreadystarted flowing and soon
it turned into the first ‘Revolt of !857’ and Mangal
Pandey, who was at the forefront of the struggle became
the First Freedom Fighter of the IndianStruggle for
Independence.

8.  Born in a Dalit family, Bhimrao Ramji
Ambedkar was a victim of the Indian caste
System. Being of the lowest caste, he was accosted
with negligible opportunities for his intelligence.
But being a genius he saw the light and converted to
Buddhism helped many others from the lower castes
to convert and not oblige to the inhuman behaviour
conducted towards them. His love for books and
learning played a major role in his liberation. It was
this hunger for knowledge that made him the
chairman of the committee that founded the
constitution of India. Dr. Ambedkar was the one
who scripted the constitution of this democratic
country.

9.  Netaji as he was called was a very prominent figure in the Indian freedom struggle.
His sole aim was the freedom of his country and he termed it as a necessity and didn’t
agree with Gandhiji on the terms that it can be negotiated. He was well educated and
believed that there should be complete intolerance for caste-differentiation, racism or
religious separation. His was so active in the Indian National Congress that he was
arrested several times by the British Government. Soon he realised that international
backing was a must for India’s freedom and hence started meeting leaders from
Japan, Italy, and Germany who were against the British forces in the World War
2. He even met Mussolini and Hitler at different times. He was completely against
the racism that The dictators propagated but he appreciated the discipline and unity of
their men. It was on Hitler’s Suggestion that he went to Japan and formed the
Indian National Army and started the Campaign ‘Challo Dilli’ which though
failed, wasn’t enough to break his spirit. The Slogan ‘Jai Hind’ was also given by
him which still prevails.

10.  The Nightingale of India, Sarojini Naidu was a poet and a social
activist. She studied at the King’s College, London and Girton
College, Cambridge. She was the first women to become the
Governor of an India state as well as the Indian National
Congress. She was one of the members who formed the Constitution
of India. During the Partition of Bengal, she came in contact
with prominent Independent leaders like Annie Besant,
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal
Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and
others. She started travelling from state to state and delivered
speeches on social welfare and spread the message of independence
through her poetry. An important woman leader, her birthday is
now celebrated as ‘Womans’ Day’ all over India.

11.  Annie Besant was a British Activist who
believed in Indian Self-rule. During the
First World War, she campaigned for the
Freedom of India and helped in the formation
of the ‘Home Rule League’. She was elected
as the President of the Congress and got
extremely involved in the Indian Politics.
She was also a Woman’s Rights Activist.
She kept campaigning and fighting against
her own country for the establishment of
democracy in India until her death in 1933.

12.  The last Mughal Emperor of India, Bahadur Shahwas a poet and had
little ambitionsof expanding his territory whichnow was merelythe Red fort.
The Britishhas alreadytakenpower over the majorityof the country. When
the Revolt of 1847 started, he and allhissons participated to free India.He
led his army for the sepoy mutinyagainst the East India Company. The
revolt didn’t succeed and Shahalong withhissonswas tried in court for
rebelling. He wasexiled to Rangoon (Now Bangladesh).Evenafter the
defeat, he said “Gh zio mé b rahegijab talakim n ki; Takht-e-ā ń ń ū ā
London takchalegi tégh Hindustanki”(As long asthere remains the scent of
faithinthe hearts of our Ghazis, solong shall the sword of Hindustanflash
before the throne of London). It isbelieved that onthe dayof Nouroj (Persian
New Years) which is one of the biggest festivals, he was presented withchopped
heads of his sons by a BritishOfficer.Eventheninstead of showing remorse of
showing his weakness infront of the colonialpowershe said “Praise be to
Allah, that descendents of Timur alwayscome infront of their fathers in this
way.”