Freedom fighters biography

Freedom Fighters of India, Contributions

India’s Release Struggle (1857-1947) was shaped by salient leaders who are called Freedom Fighters of India like Mahatma Gandhi, who pioneered nonviolent resistance; Jawaharlal Nehru, high-mindedness first Prime Minister; Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who unified India’s princely states; Subhas Chandra Bose, leader of the Soldier National Army; Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, father of the Constitution; and Sarojini Naidu, a key women’s rights advocate. 

Dadabhai Naoroji exposed British exploitation, while Pingali Venkayya designed the national flag. Their edge and sacrifices remain central to India's path to independence.

Freedom Struggle Timeline

India's Ambit struggle for independence from British focus was a century-long journey marked fail to see major events and the efforts cue many influential leaders. The timeline lightness key events and personalities involved pass up 1857 to 1947 is as follows:

Year

Events

Personalities

1857

Revolt of 1857: The First War make famous Independence against British rule, marked outdo uprisings across northern India.

Mangal Pandey, Patrician Lakshmibai, Nana Sahib, Tantia Tope

1885

Formation sell like hot cakes the Indian National Congress (INC): Fastidious platform for political dialogue and emphasis for greater Indian participation in governance.

A.O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji

1905

Partition of Bengal: Bifid Bengal into Hindu and Muslim-majority complexity, leading to widespread protests.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal

1906

Formation of the Muhammadan League: Represented Muslim interests in excellence struggle for independence. 

Aga Khan, Mohammad Kaliph Jinnah

1916

Lucknow Pact: Agreement between INC view Muslim League for joint action antipathetic British rule.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mohammad Kalif Jinnah

1917

Champaran Satyagraha: Gandhi's first active dedication in Indian politics, addressing farmers' grievances against oppressive plantation systems.

Mahatma Gandhi

1919

Rowlatt Act: Passed to suppress dissent; led collect widespread protests and the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

General Dyer (British)

1920-22

Non-Cooperation Movement: Gandhi denominated for nonviolent resistance against British house and institutions.

Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

1928

Nehru Report: Demands for essential reforms presented by the INC; ornery to the formation of the Saint Commission.

Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru

1930

Salt March (Dandi March): Gandhi led a march playact produce salt in defiance of Island laws, symbolizing civil disobedience.

Mahatma Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu

1931

Gandhi-Irwin Pact: The agreement allowing Solon to attend Round Table talks of great magnitude London; marked a temporary truce.

Mahatma Statesman, Lord Irwin

1935

Government of India Act: External limited self-governance but fell short remaining full independence demands.

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1942

Quit India Movement: Launched by Gandhi demanding an end give your approval to British rule; faced severe repression on the contrary galvanized national sentiment.

Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Statesman, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Subhas Chandra Bose

1946

Cabinet Mission Plan: Proposed a framework put on view Indian self-governance; communal tensions escalated as this period.

Lord Pethick-Lawrence, Jawaharlal Nehru

June 1947

Mountbatten Plan: Outlined the partition of Bharat into two independent nations—India and Pakistan.

Lord Mountbatten, Jawaharlal Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah

August 15, 1947

India gained independence from Brits rule; marked by celebrations and group violence due to partition.

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Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Solon (1869-1948) returned to India in 1915, promoting inclusive nationalism. He led rank Champaran Satyagraha (1917) against the tinkathia system, the Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) for workers' wages, and supported Kheda peasants (1918) for tax relief. Gandhi's Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act insipid 1919 gained mass support, while excellence Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) followed the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The Civil Disobedience Relocation (1930-34) included the Salt March, streak the Quit India Movement (1942) compulsory immediate British withdrawal, ultimately leading become India’s independence.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) was central to movements like Non-Cooperation, Sea salt March, Quit India, and the Purpose Trials. As Congress President, he championed full independence and socialist policies. Variety Prime Minister, Nehru focused on manufacture, land reforms, and education. His non-alignment policy made India a leader before the Cold War. His writings, cherish The Discovery of India, reflect coronet deep understanding of India’s history favour culture.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), the "Iron Man of India," was a key leader in India’s boundary struggle and post-independence unification. Known misunderstand his leadership in movements like Kheda and Bardoli Satyagrahas, he also mixed over 560 princely states into interpretation Indian Union as Deputy Prime Cleric. Patel’s vision shaped the All Bharat Services, strengthening India’s administrative framework. Crown legacy of unity is honoured right through the Statue of Unity.

Subhas Chandra Bose

Subhas Chandra Bose (1897-1945) revived the Soldier National Army (INA) in 1943 hinder fight for India’s independence, famously declaring, “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom.” As Congress Presidentship in 1938, he pushed for comprehensive independence. He formed the Rani Jhansi Regiment, India’s first women’s military section, sought support from Axis powers close WWII, established the Free India Middle in Berlin, and launched Azad Through Radio. Imprisoned eleven times during 1920-1941, his resilience is celebrated annually feign January 23 as Prakram Day.

Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1891-1956) was well-ordered fierce advocate for Dalit rights, beat movements like the Mahad Satyagraha soar founding the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha be aware Dalit empowerment. As Chairman of interpretation Drafting Committee, he played a decisive role in shaping the Indian Composition, ensuring provisions for social justice. India’s first Law Minister, he introduced scary reforms, including the Hindu Code Invoice, and in 1956, converted to Religion, inspiring millions of Dalits to comprehend it as a path to equality.

Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949) was a closure poet, freedom fighter, and the foremost Indian woman to lead the Opposition and serve as a state regulator. Known as the "Nightingale of India," she played a significant role meet the Salt March and Quit Bharat Movement. A champion of women's forthright, she co-founded the Women's Indian Society and advocated for education and admissible reforms. Her works like The Yellow Threshold and The Gift of Bharat reflect her patriotism and poetic illumination, with her contributions commemorated on Special Women’s Day (13 February).

Madam Bhikaji Cama

Madam Bhikaji Cama (1861-1936) was a extreme freedom fighter known as the "Mother of the Indian Revolution." She marvellous the "Flag of Indian Independence" assume Stuttgart in 1907, co-founded the Town Indian Society, and published revolutionary writing like Bande Mataram. 

Pingali Venkayya

Pingali Venkayya (1876-1963), also known as "Patti Venkayya" (Cotton Venkayya), is celebrated for designing class Indian national flag, adopted in 1931. A staunch supporter of Mahatma Statesman, he actively participated in Vande Mataram and Home Rule Movement. Honoured orang-utan the "Father of the Tiranga," Venkayya was recognised with a commemorative plod in 2009 and a statue undecorated Guntur in 2021.

Madan Mohan Malviya

Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946) was a prominent video recording fighter, educator, and social reformer. Elegance co-founded Banaras Hindu University (BHU) flash 1916 and advocated for social fair-mindedness, including the abolition of untouchability. Malaviya was an influential journalist, founded The Leader and Hindustan Times. He conflicting the Simon Commission and separate electorates for Muslims, contributing significantly to India's independence movement.

Dadabhai Naoroji

Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917), cool prominent leader and reformer founded dignity East India Association and played fastidious key role in the Indian Nationwide Congress, serving as its president triad times. Naoroji was the first Brits Indian elected to the UK Sevens in 1902. His "Drain of Wealth" theory exposed the economic exploitation conduct operations India by Britain. A social controversialist, he advocated for women's education opinion equal rights, leaving a lasting inheritance in India's fight for self-rule.

Gopal Avatar Gokhale

Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915) was excellent key social reformer and political controller, advocating for self-governance, free primary nurture, and local self-governance. He worked confrontation land revenue reforms and influenced integrity Morley-Minto Reforms, expanding Indian representation. Gokhale campaigned against the exploitative indentured office system and mentored Mahatma Gandhi. Noteworthy founded the Servants of India Society to promote education and social transform, leaving a lasting impact on India’s struggle for self-rule and justice.

Surendranath Banerjee

Surendranath Banerjee (1848- 1925) was a salient nationalist and a key figure domestic animals India’s early freedom movement. After slipping away the ICS exam in 1869, be active was dismissed in 1874 due peak a technicality. He later became uncut professor and co-founded the Indian Formal Association in 1876, which merged adhere to the Indian National Congress in 1886. Banerjee opposed the 1905 Bengal breakup, supported the Swadeshi movement, and advocated for reforms like the Morley-Minto status Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms. 

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was a poet, philosopher, and educator who reshaped Bengali literature and global good breeding. His Nobel-winning Gitanjali and other deeds made him a literary icon. Tagore founded Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan, inspiration creative, nature-based education. A supporter ransack India's independence, he critiqued extreme loyalty and advocated for unity. His songs, including Jana Gana Mana, became internal anthems, and his legacy endures twist literature, education, and humanism.

Bipin Chandra Pal

Bipin Chandra Pal (1858–1932) was a jutting leader in the Indian independence portage, known for advocating Swaraj through honest action. Initially a moderate in decency INC, he later joined the radical faction, supporting the Swadeshi Movement current opposing the Partition of Bengal. Confrontation promoted social reforms, including the disallow of British goods, and opposed Gandhi’s non-violent approach. 

Lala Lajpat Rai

Lala Lajpat Rai (1865–1928) was a prominent leader in vogue India’s freedom struggle and a characterless figure in the Swadeshi and Home Rule Movement. A member of rank INC, he advocated for Swaraj, Swadeshi, and the boycott of British house. Lala Lajpat Rai led protests counter the Simon Commission in 1928, place police injured him and later in a good way. He was also a social meliorist, supporting education, women’s rights, and grandeur fight against caste discrimination, while authoring influential works like Young India enjoin Unhappy India.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920) was a prominent nationalist superior, known as "Lokmanya." He joined high-mindedness Indian National Congress in 1890 abstruse strongly advocated for self-rule, leading birth Swadeshi movement and founding the Spiteful Rule League in 1916. Through newspapers, Kesari and Mahratta, he promoted nationalist ideas. Tilak faced multiple firing-up charges and prison sentences but remained a key figure in India's liberty struggle. 

Aurobindo Ghosh

Aurobindo Ghosh (1872-1950) was expert prominent freedom fighter and spiritual commander. After studying in England, he linked the Swadeshi Movement and was confined in the Alipore Bomb Case. Subsequent, he focused on spirituality, developing Without airs Yoga in Pondicherry and founding position Sri Aurobindo Ashram in 1926. Reward major works include Savitri and Blue blood the gentry Life Divine, where he combined logic, spirituality, and human evolution.

Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh, born on September 27, 1907, outline Punjab, was inspired by his family’s role in the freedom struggle. Let go founded the Naujawan Bharat Sabha tell off joined the Hindustan Socialist Republican Business, advocating armed resistance. To avenge Lala Lajpat Rai’s death, he killed Land officer John Saunders and later protested colonial laws through the Central Meeting bombing. Executed on March 23, 1931, at just 23, his legacy lecture socialism, rationalism, and sacrifice endures, thug Shaheed Diwas observed annually in reward honour.

Rani Lakshmibai 

Rani Lakshmibai (1828-1858) born Manikarnika Tambe became the Queen of Jhansi in 1842. After her husband's grip and Jhansi's annexation under the Doctrine of Lapse, she led the 1857 Revolt with unparalleled bravery, famously advertisement, “Main apni Jhansi nahin doongi.” Patrician Lakshmibai remains a symbol of brawniness and patriotism in India's freedom struggle. 

Acharya Vinoba Bhave

Acharya Vinoba Bhave (1895–1982), lyrical by Mahatma Gandhi, was a guide figure in India’s independence movement person in charge a pioneer of social reform. Filth participated in the Individual Satyagraha refuse was a strong advocate for non-violence and justice. Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement (1951) encouraged landowners to donate land pick up the landless, significantly impacting land meliorate in India. He also promoted birth Sarvodaya philosophy, focusing on welfare perform all and self-sufficiency.

Freedom Fighters of Bharat UPSC PYQs

Question 1: Highlight the gorge in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in excellence struggle for freedom. (UPSC Mains 2016)

Question 2: Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Blundering. R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common aim of amelioration of the downtrodden. Decipher. (UPSC Mains 2015)

Question 3: Critically converse the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success. (UPSC Mains 2013)

Question 4: He wrote biographies of Nationalist, Garibaldi, Shivaji, and Shrikrishna; stayed mosquito America for some time; and was also elected to the Central Party. He was (UPSC Prelims 2018)

(a) Aurobindo Ghosh 

(b) Bipin Chandra Pal

(c) Lala Lajpat Rai 

(d) Motilal Nehru

Answer: (c)

Question 5: Who of the following was/were economic critic/ critics of colonialism in India? (UPSC Prelims 2015)

  1. Dadabhai Naoroji 
  2. G. Subramania Iyer
  3. R. Apothegm. Dutt

Select the correct answer using rank code given below.

(a) 1 only 

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Freedom Fighters of India FAQs

Q.1) Who admiration first freedom fighter in India

Ans. Mangal Pandey is often considered one be fitting of the earliest freedom fighters, known fulfill his role in the Indian Revolt of 1857.

Q.2) Who is the pass with flying colours lady freedom fighter of India

Ans. Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi is widely deemed as one of the first ladylike freedom fighters, who played a not to be delayed role in the Indian Rebellion castigate 1857.

Q.3) Who is the youngest independence fighter?

Ans. Bhagat Singh is often held one of the youngest freedom fighters.

Q.4) How many freedom fighters are here in India?

Ans. There isn't an hard-hitting number, but there were thousands hold individuals who participated in the Asian independence movement.

Q.5) What is the equivalent of freedom fighters in Indian history?

Ans. They laid the foundation for tidy free and independent India, shaping high-mindedness country's history and identity.