Unsung Heroes - A Tribute

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

I am pleased to write the foreword for the book “Unsung Heroes”, being brought out
by the participants of 15th Mid-Career Training Programme for IAS officers – Phase IV
at LBSNAA.

To quote John Milton, "They also serve who stand and wait." With reverence, we
should acknowledge the share and credit in the freedom struggle of those whose
names are not often blazoned for public recognition, but in their own quiet and
committed way, made a contribution no less noteworthy. There is little or no country
wide awareness of their lives and their struggles for our independence yet they are our
heroes by every definition or standard.

On the occasion of celebrating India@75, an exclusive publication containing the
invincible spirits and the untold heroic stories of unsung and lesser known freedom
fighters of India’s freedom struggle has been compiled by the Officers of 15th MCTP –
Phase IV at the Academy. I congratulate the authors for having carried out in-depth
research and the editorial team for making both the content and context relevant as
well as interesting for any reader.

I extend my best wishes to the Officers and hope that everyone understands the
sacrifices of the past that continue to shape our present and the future of making our
nation great.

Lok Ranjan

Director
Lal Bahadur Shastri
National Academy of Administration

COURSE COORDINATOR’S MESSAGE

This is a historic year for all of us. Seventy five years of our hard won independence
from British Rule is being celebrated as Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It is a time to
rejoice, reflect and certainly remember those heroic men and women who have given
all of themselves and their lives to fight for our motherland. It is their supreme
sacrifice that earned for us this freedom which we celebrate today with such fervour.

It is with this spirit that the Course team took the initiative of bringing out a
publication on Unsung Heroes of our National Movement from every region and part
of India. The officers of Phase-IV Mid-Career Training Programme were more than
eager to participate in this journey of remembrance and homage for these unknown
warriors from each state and remote corners of India. These stories of valour could not
make it to the front pages of History but their sacrifices were equally potent and vital
in shaping our freedom struggle. It is these tales that sustain us and preserve the
moral character of our nation. Ballads of their heroism and sacrifice are a cherished
and oral part of our local tales and folklore too.

It is our humble attempt, through this publication, to bring these unknown names to
light, to remember them, to pay our respects, to let their journey of sweat, blood,
tears, pain and invincible spirits be our stories for today and inspiration for times to
come. The Course Team is delighted by the compilation and in depth research done by
each officer of Phase IV cohort and our special gratitude to Dr. Pinky Jowel and
Meenakshi Sundaram for this beautiful labour of love that will shine as a beacon of
remembrance and motivation for other training cohorts this year.

To conclude with the immortal lines from Ram Prasad Bismil, as each of the unsung
heroes was inspired by this spirit of that age even if they had not heard of it -

“Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai Dehkna Hai Zor Kitna Baajuen Qaatil
Mein Hai”

Vizay Vasanta

Course Coordinator
15th Phase-IV Mid-Career Training Programme

PREFACE

“India that is Bharat is a Union of States”, as described by the Constitution of our
Independent motherland, India. Contemporary India is an evolution of a long process
of struggle, sacrifice, valour, passion, devotion and dedication exhibited by millions
and millions of her children. Most of their existence, identities, contributions, sacrifices
have either not been known or documented or accounted for and hence not recorded
in history for posterity. Many of their contributions are still being pieced together from
folklore, legends and after in-depth research being documented. Efforts are being
made at various levels across the country for the same.

As the Nation enters into the 75th year of its Independence and the recent celebration
of its 75th Independence Day, it is indeed a very timely initiative on the part of Lal
Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) to ponder on our past
and to bring out a publication on those ‘Unsung Heroes and Heroines’ - a tribute to
the freedom fighters of India. The list of personalities covered here is limited but is
reflective of the length and breadth of the subcontinent.

We the Trainees of the 15th Mid-Career Training Programme – Phase-IV (August,
2021) of the Indian Administrative Service would like to thank Sri Lok Ranjan, Director,
LBSNAA, Sri Vizay Vasant, Course Coordinator, the entire 15th MCTP Phase-IV Course
Team and the LBSNAA support team for this collaborative opportunity to pay our
humble homage to those unsung heroes and heroines of our illustrious freedom
struggle.

We assure that we will continue on this noble mission and take it forward in our
respective State and Union Territory cadres so that we duly realise, recognise and
respect the brave men and women. It is also a reminder to the current and future
generations on the need to continuously cherish and strengthen our Nation Building
and its hard earned freedom. Freedom is not a single point in time but a continuous
process that requires nurturing deliberate focus.

Jai Hind !

Dr. Pinky Jowel S.S. Meenakshi Sundaram

(Uttar Pradesh Cadre - 2003 batch) (Assam-Meghalaya Cadre- 2004 Batch)

CONTENTS

Sl.No. Name of Unsung Hero Page No.

1 Accamma Cherian 1
2 Alluri Sitarama Raju 2
3 Aruna Asaf Ali 3
4 Ashfaqulla Khan 4
5 Aurobindo Ghose 5
6 Baba Kanshi Ram 6
7 Bagha Jatin 7
8 Baji Rout 8
9 Bhai Kotwal 9
10 Bhikaiji Patel popularly known as Bhikaiji Rustom Cama 10
11 Bhogeswari Phokaneni 11
12 Bir Tikendrajit 12
13 Birsa Munda 13
14 Bishni Devi Shah 14
15 Brigadier Rajinder Singh 15
16 Captain Lakshmi Sehgal 16
17 Chakali Ilamma 17
18 Chapekar Brothers 18
19 Darthawma Renthlei 19
20 Deshbandhu Gupta 20
21 Durgabai Deshmukh 21
22 Durgawati Devi 22
23 General Thangal 23
24 Gulab Kaur 24
25 Haipou Jadonang 25
26 Harnam Singh Tundilat 26
27 Hemu Kalani 27
28 Jatindra Nath Das 28
29 Jhalkari Bai 29
30 Kali Bai 30
31 Kalu Singh Mahara 31
32 Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay 32
33 Kanaklata Baruah 33

Sl.No. Name of Unsung Hero Page No.

34 Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi 34
35 Kanhu Murmu and Sidhu Murmu 35
36 Kartar Singh Saraba 36
37 Khudiram Bose 37
38 Kittur Rani Chennamma 38
39 Komaram Bheem 39
40 Koyapalli Kelappan 40
41 Kushal Konwar 41
42 Maj. Gen. Paona Brajabashi 42
43 Maniram Dewan 43
44 Manorama Banerjee 44
45 Maqbool Sherwani 45
46 Matangini Hazra 46
47 Matmur Jamoh 47
48 Moji Riba 48
49 Mool Chand Jain 49
50 Moolmati 50
51 Nawab Abdur Rahman Khan 51
52 Pa Togan Sangma 52
53 Pandit Kanshi Ram 53
54 Parbati Giri 54
55 Pingali Venkaiah 55
56 Potti Sriramulu 56
57 Pramod Ranjan Banerjee 57
58 Prithvi Singh Azad 58
59 Pritilata Waddedar 59
60 Pandit Sunderlal Sharma 60
61 Pandit Nekiram Sharma 61
62 Pursottam Kakodkar 62
63 Ram Prasad Bismil 63
64 Rani Avantibai 64
65 Rani Gaidinliu 65
66 Rao Tularam Singh 66
67 Saifuddin Kitchlew 67
68 Samaldas Gandhi 68
69 Sangolli Rayanna 69

Sl.No. Name of Unsung Hero Page No.

70 Sardar Ajit Singh Sandhu 70
71 Senapati Bapat 71
72 Shahid Gundhadur 72
73 Sher Nahar Singh 73
74 Shyam Narayan Singh 74
75 Shyamdev Narayan 75
76 Subramania Bharati 76
77 Subramania Siva 77
78 Surya Sen 78
79 Swami Anand 79
80 Swami Ramanand Tirtha 80
81 Tantia Tope 81
82 Tantya Bhil 82
83 Tara Rani Shrivastava 83
84 T B Cunha 84
85 Thakur Pyarelal 85
86 Tileswari Barua 86
87 Tirupur Kumaran 87
88 Trilochan Pokhrel 88
89 Tyagi Ansari Doraisamy 89
90 U Kiang Nangbah 90
91 U Tirot Sing Syiemlieh 91
92 Udham Singh 92
93 Umaji Naik 93
94 V. Subbiah 94
95 V.O. Chidambaram Pillai 95
96 Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali 96
97 Veer Narayan Singh 97
98 Veera Rani Abbaka 98
99 Veerapandiya kattabomman 99
100 Velu Nachiyar 100
101 Vijay Singh Pathik 101

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS 102

FACEWALL OF PARTICIPANTS 105

Accamma Cherian

(1909—1982)

On February 1938, Accamma, a teacher gave up her teaching career to join the
struggle for national freedom. The people of Travancore started an agitation for
a responsible government. C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar, the Dewan of Travancore,
decided to suppress the agitation. On 26th August 1938, the State Congress was
banned. Accamma Cherian under ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’ led a mass
rally from Thampanoor to the Kowdiar Palace of the Maharaja. The British
Police Chief ordered his men to fire on the rally of over 20,000 people.
Accamma Cherian cried, "I am the leader; shoot me first before you kill others".
Her courageous words forced the police authorities to withdraw their orders.
On hearing the news Mahatma Gandhi hailed her as 'The Jhansi Rani of
Travancore'. She was arrested twice during the struggle for independence.

1

Alluri Sitarama Raju

(4 July 1897 - 7 May 1924)

Alluri Sitarama Raju also known as “Manyam Veerudu” (Hero of the Jungles) by
the local people opposed the Madras Forest Act 1882 which restricted the free
movement of tribal people in the forest areas and prevented them from
engaging in their traditional “Podu Agricultural System” (shifting cultivation). He
led the “Rampa Rebellion” of 1922–24, during which a band of tribal leaders
and other sympathizers fought against the British Raj. He was executed by
British in Koyyuru Village. His tomb is in Krishnadevipeta Village.

2

Aruna Asaf Ali

(16 July 1909-1953)

Aruna Asaf Ali an educator, political activist, publisher & freedom fighter was
born in Kalka, Punjab. She was 33 years old when she gained prominence as she
hoisted the Indian National flag during the ‘Quit India Movement’ at the
Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay, 1942. She is popularly known as the ‘Grand
Old Lady’ of the Independence Movement. She also took part in the ‘Salt
Satyagraha Movement’ as well as other protest marches and was imprisoned.
She actively participated in the ‘Quit India Movement’ and a reward of Rs 5000
was announced to capture her. She was the greatest unifying factor for Hindu-
Muslim unity at the peak of the ‘Movement for Pakistan’.

3

Ashfaqulla Khan

(22 October 1900—19 December 1927)

Ashfaqulla Khan was born in 1900 at Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh and was a
freedom fighter who actively fought against the British forces. After the ‘Chauri-
Chaura’ incident in 1922 when Mahatma Gandhi decided to withdraw the
movement, Ashfaqulla was dissatisfied. Along with his friends, he decided to
form an organisation named ‘Hindustan Republican Association’ in 1924 to
organize an armed revolution to achieve freedom. He was later arrested for his
involvement in ‘Kakori Train Robbery’ and sentenced to death. He was hanged
on December 19th, 1927 at Faizabad Jail.

4

Aurobindo Ghose

(15 August 1872—5 December 1950)

Aurobindo Ghose was a philosopher, yogi, poet, journalist and a freedom
fighter from Kolkata, West Bengal. He became active in the revolutionary
movement in Bengal with ‘Anushilan Samiti’, and set four objectives for the
freedom movement at the 1906 Session of Indian National Congress i.e.
Swadeshi, Swaraj, Education and Boycott. He faced charges of treason under
‘Alipore Bomb Blast Conspiracy Case’ alleging attempt to kill Magistrate
Kingsford, a Judge known for giving severe sentences against Nationalists. He
was arrested, convicted and acquitted later. He took refuge in Pondicherry and
developed a spiritual practice called ‘Integral Yoga’. He gave five dreams for
Indian-Nation: A United India, Resurgence of Asia, Unification of World, The
Spiritual gift India to the World and Evolution through raising ‘Human
Consciousness’.

5

Baba Kanshi Ram

(11 July 1882—15 October 1943)

Baba Kanshi Ram was born on 11th July, 1882. He was an Indian poet and
activist of the Independence campaign. The death sentences handed out to
Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in 1931 had a great impact on him. He
vowed to wear black clothes until India achieved its independence. He adhered
to his vow until he died on 15th October, 1943 and came to be known
affectionately as the ‘Siyahposh Jarnail’ (The Black General). In 1937, Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru awarded him the title of ‘Pahari Gandhi’. He went to jail 11
times, spending nine years of his life there he continued his relentless battle
against the British by writing sensitive poetry. He died on 15th October, 1943. He
was titled as ‘Paharan-the-Bulbul’ by Sarojini Naidu in 1927.

6

Bagha Jatin

(7 December 1879 – 10 September 1915)

Born as Jatindranath Mukherjee was the principal leader of the ‘Jugantar Party’
in Bengal. He was also a founding member of Anushilan Samiti. He is known to
have killed a tiger with Khukuri (Gorkha Dagger) therefore, given the title
'Bagha', meaning 'Tiger' in Bengali. After the World War-I broke out, a plan was
devised by the revolutionaries to raise an armed rebellion against the British
with arms & ammunition and funds were promised by the German
Government. Jatin's leadership in Jugantar Party provided strong planning in
organising an armed revolt. This International chain-work conceived by Jatin
came to be known as the ‘German Plot’, the ‘Hindu–German Conspiracy’, or the
‘Zimmermann Plan’. The plan could not be implemented but panicked the
British Colonial Administration.

7

Baji Rout

(1926-1938)

Amar Shaheed Baji Rout was amongst the youngest patriots aged 12 years. He
was the youngest son of a boatman on the Brahmani river. Baji Rout fondly
called as ‘Bajia’ sacrificed his life for his motherland. Shaheed Baji Rout was
born on 5th October, 1926 at Nilakanthapur village in Dhenkanal District. During
the ‘Praja Mandal Movement’ in Gadjat State in Odisha, the people of
Dhenkanal had taken a pledge to throw out the Britishers. As an active member
of the ‘Banar Sena’ of Prajamandal (Party of People), he had volunteered to
keep watch by the river at night. The British Police force ordered him to assist
with crossing the river on his boat at Nilakanthapur
Ghat, Bhuban, Dhenkanal district, but he denied and in the scuffle the police
force then open fired and killed Baji Rout.

8

Bhai Kotwal

(1912-1943)

Vitthal Laxman Kotwal alias ‘Annasaheb Kotwal’ alias ‘Bhai Kotwal’ from
Matheran in Karjat taluka started a granary by setting up an association of
farmers to provide food to the people at reasonable rates. He, along with
Gomaji Patil formed a revolutionary group of 20 people called 'Azad Dasta or
Kotwal Dasta.' This faction of revolutionaries tried a number of times to cut off
power supply to Pune and Mumbai from power houses like Bhira, Bhivapuri,
Chola etc. For this, the group dropped hundreds of electricity pylons one after
the other for several days. The group also raided various Police units and
disarmed them. In January 1943, while camping on Siddhagad hill, the group
was gheraoed by about 100 policemen. Bhai Kotwal was martyred in this
struggle with an encounter with the British Police officer, DSP R. Hall.

9

Bhikaiji Rustom Cama

(24 September 1861—13 August 1936)

Bhikaiji Rustom Cama was born in Bombay to a wealthy Parsi family. She moved
to London and met Dadabhai Naoroji there. Inspired by his ideals, she plunged
into the Indian Freedom Movement. She also met with other Indian nationalists
like Shyamji Varma, Lala Hardayal. She became an active member of the
movement. She began to publish booklets for the Indian community in England
propagating the cause of Swaraj. “March forward! We are for India. India is for
Indians!” she defiantly declared. She travelled to US, and delivered speeches in
support of India’s Freedom Struggle. Madam Bhikaiji Cama became the first
person to hoist the Indian flag based on the Calcutta flag representing Islam,
Hinduism & Buddhism with ‘Vande Mataram’ and eight lotuses in foreign land
on 22nd August 1907.

10

Bhogeswari Phokaneni

(1885 - 1942)

Even though she was a mother of eight children and a housewife Bhogeswari
Phokaneni played an active and important role in the Quit India Movement.
Phokaneni was born in Berhampur and was active in Berhampur, Babajia and
Barpujia areas in the Nagaon district of Assam. Bhogeswari Phokaneni took part
in many Satyagraha Marches as a Civil Disobedience against the British
authorities. In one such protest held during the Quit India Movement she was
shot, by British Captain after she had hit him for disregard of the Indian Flag.
She died of that gun shot in 1942. She is fondly remembered as ”Sixty Years Old
Martyr”.

11

Bir Tikendrajit

(1858—13 August 1891)

Yubraj Tikendrajit Singh, the hero of the Manipur Revolution of 1891, was born
in 1858. He was the son of Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh. He was popularly
known as ‘Koireng’. He became ‘Senapati’, the general of Manipur Army. The
rise of such a powerful prince was considered as a threat to the British
Supremacy. A British Official Mr Quiton with a small force was sent to take
custody of Tikendrajit. British sent three columns of troops to Manipur from
Kohima, Silchar and Tamu. To save their motherland, the Manipuris fought very
bravely under the direction of Tikendrajit. On 27th April, 1891 the British
occupied Manipur and Tikendrajit was arrested, after a general Court-Martial,
he was publicly hanged at Pheida-pung at polo ground in Imphal, presently B.T.
Park, on 13th August 1891.

12

Birsa Munda

(15 November 1875—9 June 1900)

Birsa Munda, a tribal freedom fighter, religious leader and a folk hero belonging
to Munda Tribe was born on 15th November, 1875. He spearheaded a tribal
religious ‘Millenarian Movement’ that arose in the Bengal Presidency (now
Jharkhand) in the late 19th century, during the British Raj. The Revolt was mainly
concentrated in the Munda belt of Khunti, Tamar, Sarwada and Bandgaon. Birsa
is credited for reviving the traditional tribal culture. Birsa Munda's slogan
threatening the British Raj—Abua raj ete jana, maharani raj tundu jana ("Let
the kingdom of the Queen be ended and Our kingdom be established")—is still
remembered in areas of Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, and Madhya
Pradesh. He died at a young age of twenty five on 9th June, 1900.

13

Bishni Devi Shah

(1902-1974)

Bishni Devi Shah, ‘Daughter of the Soil’ hailed from Bageshwar, Kumaon,
Uttarakhand. She was highly motivated by the Gandhian ideology. She was the
first woman to ever be jailed in Uttarakhand during the freedom struggle. She
bravely endured all the suffering and even after Independence endorsed the
making and use of Khadi all her life. On May 25th, 1930, it was decided to hoist
the National Flag in Almora Municipality. A procession of volunteers including
women, was stopped by Gorkha soldiers. After this, under the leadership of
Bishni Devi Shah, a woman agitation group was formed that succeeded in
hoisting the National Flag. Bishni Devi Shah was arrested in December 1930 and
was kept in Almora Jail. After her release from jail Bishni Devi got involved in
the promotion of Khadi.

14

Brigadier Rajinder Singh

(14 June 1899 – 26/27 October 1947)

Brigadier Rajinder Singh Jamwal, also remembered as the ‘Saviour of Kashmir’,
was an officer in the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces who died fighting during
the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948. He and his troops held on to their
positions in Uri for three days from 23rd October 1947 to 26th/27th October
1947. They repelled waves of enemy attack and stood until the last bullet. On
27th October 1947, the Maharaja of Kashmir signed the instrumentation of
annexation with India. Indian troops quickly rushed in to support of Brigadier
Rajinder Singh. These three days were crucial because if Srinagar would have
been lost, then Kashmir might never have been a part of India.

15

Captain Lakshmi Sehgal

(24 October 1914 – 23 July 2012)

Lakshmi Sehgal born as Lakshmi Swaminathan in Madras was a revolutionary of
the Indian Independence movement, an officer of the Indian National Army,
and the Minister of Women's Affairs in the ‘Azad Hind Government’. Lakshmi is
commonly referred to in India as ‘Captain Lakshmi’, a reference to her rank
when taken prisoner in Burma during the Second World War. She led the ‘Rani
of Jhansi Regiment’ of the Indian National Army also known as ‘Azad Hind Fauj’.
She was arrested by the British and after a few years of detainment in Burma,
she was sent back to India.

16

Chakali Ilamma

(1895 – 10 September 1985)

Chakali Ilamma was born in 1895 at Krishnapuram, Warangal district,
Hyderabad State (present-day Telangana). She was an Indian revolutionary
leader during the ‘Telangana Rebellion’. Her act of defiance against Zamindar
Ramachandra Reddy, known as Visnoor Deshmukh, to cultivate her land,
became an inspiration for many during the rebellion against the feudal lords of
the Telangana region. Ilamma took the protest flag against the anarchy of
Deshmukh and Razakar in Visnur between 1940 and 1944. She joined the
Andhra Mahasabha as well as the Communist Party of India. She worked
actively against the Nizam government and her house was the center for
activities conducted against the feudal land lords who collaborated with the
Nizam. She died at Palakurthi, Telangana in 1985

17

Chapekar Brothers

Freedom fighters Damodar Hari Chapekar and his brothers Balkrishna and
Vasudev Hari Chapekar were born in Chinehawad, district Pune, Maharashtra. On
June 22, 1897, the three brothers set out to kill British officer Walter Charles Rand
who had handled the plague in Pune in a high-handed manner. Another police
officer Lt Charles Ayrest who was passing by was also shot by Balkrishna Chapeker.
Eventually, Damodar, his brothers and their friend Mahadev Ranade were caught
and hanged.

18

Darthawma Renthlei

(1920—21 July 2019)

Darthawma Renthlei was born at Pukpui village, near Lunglei, Mizoram in 1920.
Darthawma joined the British Indian Army on November 27, 1940 during World
War II, and was captured by the Japanese Imperial Army in early 1942 during
his posting at Malaysia’s Penang Island. After his release he joined the ‘Azad
Hind Fauj’ (Indian National Army) in May, 1942 to fight against the colonial rule.
Darthawma was captured by the British in 1944 but was later released from
Lucknow jail on July 15, 1945 following the intervention of Mahatma Gandhi.
This courageous freedom fighter passed away at the age of 99 on July 21, 2019.

19

Deshbandhu Gupta

(14 June 1901—21 November 1951)

Rati Ram Deshbandhu Gupta was born on 14th June, 1901. He is popularly
known as — ‘Lala Desh Bandhu Gupta’. The Jallianwalla Bagh massacre left its
imprint on him. He had active involvement in various events of the freedom
struggle & suffered political incarceration on a number of occasions as a result
of his active involvement. He was first imprisoned at the age of 19 years. He
was associated with both Lala Lajpat Rai and Swami Shraddhanand. He was
actively involved in countering the communal riots witnessed in Delhi and other
areas of India. He died on November, 21st 1951.

20

Durgabai Deshmukh

(15 July 1909 - 9 May 1981)

Durgabai Deshmukh led numerous Satyagraha movements. She played a
prominent role in Indian freedom movement. Popularly known as ‘Iron Lady’,
got involved in Indian politics and fearlessly took part in the Non-Cooperation
movement of 1922. As a young girl of twelve years she started Satyagraha at
Kakinada.

21

Durgawati Devi

(1907-1999)

Durgawati Devi born in 1907, She was popularly known as ’Durga Bhabhi’. She
was actively engaged in the armed revolution against the British rule in India
and an active member of the revolutionary group ‘Naujawan Bharat Sabha’.
After the assassination of British official J P Saunders, she assisted in the escape
of Bhagat Singh and Rajguru via train posing as wife of Bhagat Singh. As a
revenge for the hanging of Bhagat Singh, Durgawati Devi tried to assassinate
Lord Hailey, the former Governor of Punjab. However, her attempt was not
successful, ultimately leading to her imprisonment.

22

General Thangal

(13 August 1891)

General Thangal, a Naga tribal of Senapati district of Manipur. He was the most
prominent heroes of the Anglo-Manipur War 1891. During the period of
Maharaja Chandrakriti Singh, he was the most powerful member of the Durbar.
After the death of Maharaja Chandrakriti Singh in 1886, Yubraj Tikendrajit and
General Thangal revolted in 1890 and drove out Surchandra, the reigning king
and installed Kulachandra as a new ruler of Manipur. The British deputed Mr.
Quinton with his associates and sent them to Manipur to ask the King to hand
over Yuvraj Tikendrajit. The Anglo-Manipur War broke out on 27th April, 1891
and the British occupied Manipur after defeating the Manipuris. General
Thangal surrendered to the British on 7th May 1891. He was hanged to death
on 13th August 1891 at Pheida-pung , Imphal.

23

Gulab Kaur

(1890-1941)

Gulab Kaur was born around 1890 in Bakshiwala in Sangrur district of Punjab.
She alongwith her husband went to Manila in Philippines, where she joined the
Ghadar Party. She was associated as a disguised journalist. She distributed arms
to the Ghadar Party members and encouraged others to join the Ghadar Party.
Gulab Kaur with about 50 other freedom Ghadrites of the Philippines joined the
S.S. Korea batch and sailed for India. In India, she alongwith some other
revolutionaries were active in the villages of Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur and
Jallandhar. She mobilized masses for an armed revolution towards the
independence of the country, for which she was sentenced to two years in
prison in Lahore.

24

Haipou Jadonang

(1905– 29 August 1931)

Haipou Jadonang Malangmei was born in 1905 at Puilon village in Tamenglong
district of Manipur. He claimed himself to be a 'Messiah King' of the Nagas sent
to liberate his people from the clutches of British. He was popular for his
prophecies, healing power, religious and social activities amongst the masses.
Jadonang. He introduced Rani Gaidinliu to the ‘Heraka Movement’. The
movement apart from its religious aspects aimed at uniting people against
British atrocities. He organised his people against the British, his influence
spread like wildfire and engulfed the whole Zeliangrong areas and neighbouring
areas. Confronted by the outburst of violence and murder, the Political Agent of
Manipur State, J.C. Higgins arrested Jadonang on 19th February 1931 at Cachar.
He was declared guilty of murders and on 29th August 1931 he was hanged on
the bank of the river Nambul.

25

Harnam Singh Tundilat

(1882-1962)

Harnam Singh Tundilat, a revoluntionary poet, writer and a Ghadar
Revolutionary was born in 1882, in Kotla Naudhsingh, Hosiarpur District of
Punjab. He joined the Indian Army but later emigrated to USA in 1909. Upon
the outbreak of World War-I, he along with other Ghadar Party members,
infiltrated into British India however, the plan failed due to betrayal by one
known person. He escaped to the North West Frontier Province, returned back
and was arrested, tried in a case called ‘First Lahore Conspiracy Case’ and
sentenced to death with forfeiture of property. The Ghadar leaders refused to
appeal in the said case. The Viceroy on his own commuted the death penalty to
life imprisonment. He served close to 20 years in jail.

26

Hemu Kalani

(23 March 1923 – 21 January 1943)

Born in Sukkur, Bombay Presidency (then) Sindh, Hemu Kalani was a freedom
fighter a leader of ‘Swaraj Sena’ and one of the most prominent student leaders
of the ‘Quit India Movement’ in 1942 . In order to curb the movement in Sindh,
British troops were sent on train to Sindh. To stop the British forces, Kalani
along with his compatriots made a plan to derail the train. However, before
they could execute their plan, Kalani was caught by the police. Even though he
was tortured in an inhumane way, he never divulged the names of other
members involved in the plan. On January 21st, 1943, he was hanged to death,
while he was only 19 years 02 months old.

27

Jatindra Nath Das

(27 October 1904 – 13 September 1929)

Jatindra Nath Das born in 1904 was an Indian revolutionary who took part in
Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement. He later joined the ‘Anushilan
Samiti’. He was arrested for his anti-British activities and was imprisoned in
Lahore jail. While he was imprisoned there, he went on a hunger strike
demanding equality in treatment and facilities for Indian political prisoners with
those from Europe, as the condition of Indian prisoners in the jail was
deplorable. As a result of this hunger strike for continuous 63 days, Das finally
breathed his last on September 13th, 1929 in Lahore Jail. Subhash Chandra Bose
described Das as the ‘Young Dadhichee of India’.

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Jhalkari Bai

(22 November 1830 – 4 April 1858)

Jhalkari Bai was born in a very poor Dalit family in 1830 at Bhojla village near
Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. She was a good at horse riding and shooting. She was
inducted into the ‘Women's Wing of the Army’ by Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi. She
became an advisor to the Legendary Rani Laxmibai. Her resemblance to the
Queen Rani Laxmi Bai was so much so that it effectively confused the British
army. As per Bundelkhand folktales and legends, during the fight with the
British army she went to the battlefield, took command of the army and walked
right to General Rose's camp. He said in admiration of her courage and
fearlessness that even if 1% of women in India were like her, then the British
would have had to leave the country, defeated. There is not much clarity about
her death.

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Kali Bai

Kali Bai was a native tribal girl of 12 years. She sacrificed her life in a desperate
attempt to save her teacher from the brutal atrocities of the police force. This
earned her the title of ‘Veerbala’ (Brave Girl). On June 19th, 1947, Nana Bhai
Khant and Senga Bhai Bhil, the teachers of Rastapal, a tiny tribal village near
Dungarpur, were instructed to close their school with immediate effect. The
teachers refused to comply with the orders. As a result, one was immediately
killed by the State police officer and the other was tied to a jeep and dragged
on the rough road. Watching her teacher being dragged to death, the young
student-Kali Bai, lost her patience and in a bid to save his life, picked up a sickle
and severed the rope with a stroke. The police fired at Kali Bai, she fell down on
the ground and met a heroic end.

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Kalu Singh Mahara

(1831)

Kalu Singh Mahara (revered as the First Freedom Fighter of Uttarakhand), was
born in 1831 in Thyamahra village near Lohaghat in District Champawat,
Uttarakhand. He started the campaign named as Krantiveer, the main reason
behind this was the promise of full cooperation by the Nawab of Ruhela - Khan
Bahadur Khan, the Tehri King and the Awadh government for the rebellion
against the British. The responsibility for the first attack on British barracks
located in Chandmari, Lohaghat was given to Kalu Mahara. Due to this invasion
the British fled from there and the revolutionaries set the barracks on fire. After
the first success, the campaign of ‘Jung-e-Azadi’ started in the entire Kali
Kumaon to stop the British troops advancing from Nainital and Almora.

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Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

(3 April 1903 – 29 October 1988)

She was born in Mangaluru, Karnataka. She was a social reformer a
distinguished theatre actor and freedom fighter. She became the first woman
from India to be arrested by the British government in United Kingdom for her
active role as a patriotic leader. While still in London, Kamaladevi came to know
of Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement in 1923, and she promptly
returned to India to join the ‘Seva Dal’, a Gandhian organisation set up to
promote social upliftment. Soon she was placed incharge of the women's
section of the Dal where she got involved in recruiting, training and organising
girls and women of all ages across India to unite voluntary workers 'sevikas'.
She also participated in Gandhiji’s Salt Satyagraha of 1930.

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Kanaklata Baruah

(22 December 1924 - 20 September 1942)

During the Quit India Movement Kanaklata Barua joined the ‘Mrityu Bahini’, a
suicide squad comprising groups of youth from the Gohpur Sub Division of
Assam. On 20th September 1942 during the Quit India Movement, the Bahini
decided that she would hoist the Indian National Movement flag at the local
police station. A procession of unarmed villagers led by Kanaklata Barua
continued marching ahead, even when the police fired upon the procession.
Kanaklata Barua was shot dead at the age of 17 years. She is also revered as “Bir
Bala” and “Shaheed”.

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Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi

(30 December 1887 - 8 February 1971)

Kanhaiyalal Maneklal Munshi was born on 30th December 1887, popularly
known as ‘Ghanshyam Vyas’. He founded ‘Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’, an
educational trust in 1938. Under the influence of Shri Aurobindo he leaned
towards revolutionary group. But after settling in Mumbai, he joined ‘Indian
Home Rule Movement’ and became its Secretary in 1915. In 1927, he was
elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly but resigned after ‘Bardoli
Satyagraha’. He participated in the ‘Civil Disobedience Movement’ in 1930 &
1932 and was arrested and spent two years in jail in 1932. Munshi was elected
in the 1937 Bombay Presidency election and as Home Minister, he suppressed
the communal riots in Bombay. Munshi was again arrested after he took part in
‘Individual Satyagraha’ in 1940. He died on 8 February 1971.

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Kanhu Murmu and Sidhu Murmu

Kanhu Murmu and Sidhu Murmu were the leaders of the ‘Santhal Rebellion’
from 1855–1856, Jharkhand and Bengal (Purulia and Bankura) against the
British and the corrupt Zamindari System. In 1832, the British demarcated the
Damin-i-koh Region and invited Santhals to settle in the region. Due to promises
of land and economic amenities a large numbers of Santhals came to settle
from Cuttack, Dhalbhum, Manbhum, Hazaribagh, Midnapore etc. Soon,
Mahajans and Zamindars as tax-collecting intermediaries deployed by British
dominated the economy. Many Santals became victims of corrupt money
lending practices. They were lent money at exorbitant rates and when they
never could repay then their lands were forcibly taken away, forcing them into
bonded labour. Sidhu and Kanho alongwith 10,000 Santhal declared rebellion
against British.

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Kartar Singh Saraba

(24 May 1896 – 16 November 1915)

Kartar Singh Sarabha was born in Sarabha village in Punjab, in 1896. During his
stay in the USA, he was exposed to violence and aggression on Asian
immigrants. Sarabha joined ‘Ghadar Party’ with headquarters at San Francisco.
Sarabha was arrested and tried in the ‘Lahore Conspiracy Case’ in April 1915 for
his role in the revolt plot. Sarabha and his associates were later executed at the
Lahore Central Jail on 16th November 1915. Sarabha’s supreme sacrifice did not
go unnoticed. Bhagat Singh idolized, him and carried his photo around in his
pocket at all times. When the ‘Naujawan Bharat Sabha’ was established in
March 1926 by Bhagat Singh, one of the first functions that the Sabha organised
was to pay homage to Sarabha and his sacrifice for India’s freedom.

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Khudiram Bose

(3 December 1889 – 11 August 1908)

Khudiram Bose was born on December 3th, 1889 in Midnapore district of Bengal
Presidency. He was 18 years, 8 months and 8 days old, youngest revolutionary
to be hanged. For his role in the ‘Muzaffarpur Conspiracy Case’, he alongwith
Prafulla Chaki, were sentenced to death and subsequently executed making him
one of the youngest martyrs of the Indian Independence Movement. Khudiram,
along with Prafulla Chaki, attempted to assassinate a British Judge Magistrate
Douglas Kingsford by throwing bombs on the carriage they suspected to carry
Magistrate Kingsford. However, he was seated in a different carriage and the
bombs resulted in the deaths of two British women. Special dhoti with
'Khudiram' written on its side were weaved in after his execution.

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Kittur Rani Chennamma

(23 October 1778—2 February 1829)

Kittur Rani Chennamma was Queen of Kittur, Princely State in Karnataka. She
led an armed rebellion against the British policy of ‘Doctrine of Lapse’, i.e
annexation on the lapse of direct heirs leading to the confiscation of Princely
property. Chennamma had looked after Sivalinga Sarja, her son who died and
before her husband’s death, her husband Mallappa Sarja adopted the son of
Mastamaradi Gowda. The Political Agent the Dharwad Collector incharge St.
John Thackeray refused to recognise the adoption. Chennamma resolved to
oppose the British. On October 23, 1824, Thackeray was killed and the Political
Agents Elliot and Stevenson were taken prisoners. Chennamma was captured
by the British and imprisoned at Bailhongal for six years. Chennamma died on
February 2, 1830 in prison.

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Komaram Bheem

(1900/1901-1940)

Komaram Bheem was born in Sankepalli, Hyderabad also known as ‘Kumram
Bheem’. He was a rebel leader in British India from the Gond tribe, who in
association with other Gond leaders and revolutionaries led a protracted low
intensity rebellion against the feudal Nizamate of Hyderabad and the British Raj
in the eastern part of the Princely State during the 1930s. It contributed to the
culmination of the ‘Telangana Rebellion’. He was killed by armed policemen in
1940, lionised as a symbol of rebellion and eulogised in Adivasi and Telugu
folklore. Bheem is deified in Gond culture and is credited for coining the slogan
‘Jal, Jangal, Zameen’ (translated as Water, Forest, Land) which symbolises a
sentiment against encroachment and exploitation, adopted by Adivasi
movements and as a call to action.

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Koyapalli Kelappan

(24 August 1889—7 October 1971)

Koyapalli Kelappan, popularly known as ’Kerala Gandhi’, was born on 24th
August 1889. He is the founding member and President of the Nair Service
Society, founder of ‘Kerala Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti’ (Temple Protection
Movement). Kelappan laboured incessantly for the equality of all sections of
the people. He was a major influence on the ‘Vaikom Satyagraha Movement’
and later led the ‘Guruvayur Satyagraha’ in 1932. During Mahatma Gandhi's
visit to Travancore to commemorate the Temple Entry Proclamation, he
seconded the most critical resolution re-establishing faith in Mahatma Gandhi’s
leadership and the forward steps to be taken in conformity with the Gandhian
approach to translate the spirit of the move for Social Equality. He died on 7th
October 1971.

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Kushal Konwar

(21 March 1905 - 15 June 1943)

Kushal Konwar was a ‘Satyagrahi’ and Gandhian, a descendant of the Ahom
dynasty. He pledged to remain a vegetarian and accepted the Shrimad
Bhagawad Gita as his only companion. Ever since the Salt Satyagraha led by
Mahatma Gandhi in 1931, Konwar even stopped taking salt. On 10th October
1942, hidden in the thick fog of early morning, some people removed few
sleepers from the railway line near Sarupathar in Golaghat district. A Military
train passing by derailed and many British and American soldiers lost their lives.
Accusing Kushal Konwar of being the chief conspirator of the train sabotage, the
British police arrested him. At dawn on 15th June 1943 at 4:30 am, Kushal
Konwar was hanged at Jorhat Jail.

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Major General Paona Brajabashi

(1833)

The Anglo Manipuri war broke out in 1891. Attempting to resist British forces
marching from Tamu (on the border between Manipur and Myanmar today),
700 Manipuri soldiers were dispatched to Thoubal. Major General Paona
Brajabashi, a brave soldier of the kingdom of Manipur led the group of
Manipuri soldiers and took centre stage and fought what many historians
describe as the fiercest battle against the British in Indian history. The
Manipuris were defeated by the superior might of the British. Major General
Paona Brajabashi was offered a chance to join the British at a superior post but
he chose death over treason and was martyred. In memory of him and the
other Manipuri soldiers who laid down their lives, Manipur celebrates
Khongjom Day every year on 23rd April.

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