Female Indian Freedom Fighters 1 Rani of Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi whose heroism and superb leadership laid an outstanding example for all future generations of women freedom fighters. Married to Gangadhar Rao head of the state of Jhansi. She was not allowed to adopt a successor after his death by the British, and Jhansi was annexed. With the outbreak of the Revolt she became determined to fight back. She used to go into the battlefield dressed as a man. Holding the reins of there horse in her mouth she used the sword with both hands. Under her leadership the Rani's troops showed undaunted courage and returned shot for shot. Considered by the British as the best and bravest military leader of rebels this sparkling epitome of courage died a hero's death in the battlefield. .........................................................................................................................................................................
I do not have access to the original source
material, but where I have found a document quoted I have transcribed it
as faithfully as possible and have avoided changes to format, spelling,
etc.. I have used the most complete document available. In general these
documents are actually extracts from the original. Where I, or someone
else, has added an explanatory comment it is in square brackets ([]). Missing
text is indicated by ellipsis (...) unless it is at the beginning or end
of the document in which case it may be assumed.
I have collected together documents relating
to the Annexation of Jhansi and
The
Mutiny and Massacre of Jhansi and offered my own comments on them.
In general the documents listed below are in chronological order
with the exception of the statements of witnesses to the mutiny
and massacre. These statements were made sometime after the
events but I have chosen to list them according to the date of
the events rather than the date of the document, in order to
provide a more coherent narrative, but be aware that this
testimony was not necessarily available to the British at that time.
The documents will appear in a separate pop-up style window.
If you are clever and arrange the 2 windows sensibly you can
simply click through the documents.
Written immediately after the mutineers
left Jhansi. It describes the events of the mutiny, massacre and the initials
steps she has taken to restore order.
Extracts from three letters by a Mr Martin to John Venables Sturt
telling of the death of the Rani, her innocence of rebellion,
and mentioning an autobiography of Damodar Rao and a biography
of the Rani by Damodar Rao.
After spending most of her money and doing all she could, Lakshmibai
wrote one last time to the British authorities. She closed her letter dated January 1, 1858,
with this statement: “I beg you will give me your support in the best
way you can, and thus save myself and the people who are reduced to the
last extremity and are not able to cope with the enemy.” The Final Showdown There are conflicting reports of when Lakshmibai decided to oppose
the British. To protect herself and Jhansi, she had been forced to
cooperate with those opposed to the British; they had taken her throne
from her, and the people were opposed to many things about British rule.
They also received reports from villages and towns where the British
had regained control. Some commanders were lenient, but others executed
anyone they suspected of being a rebel, looted the towns and left the
wounded to die. The British force which marched toward Jhansi on January 5, 1858 was
led by Sir Hugh Rose. He was apparently of the opinion that no leniency
should be offered. One of his subordinates wrote to his parents, “Sir
Hugh knows no native language so pays little heed to what a prisoner
says. His first question is ‘Was this man taken with arms in his hands?’
If the answer is ‘yes’, ‘Then shoot him’ says Sir Hugh.” Hearing
reports from other towns, Lakshmibai had no other choice but to expect
the worst. So she prepared. The siege began on March 21, 1858. She was given a chance to
surrender, but the Rani knew that many of her supporters would be
executed, so with the support of the people she refused. The British
were outnumbered, but had a distinct advantage in weapons and training.
The fort was surrounded and bombarded until finally a breach was made in
the wall on March 30th. At the same time, a rebel force of 20,000 under the command of Tatya
Tope arrived, forcing Rose to delay entering the fort. Even though Rose
was forced to split his forces, he was able to keep continued
bombardment on the breach to prevent escape while pursuing the newly
arrived rebels to the Betwa river where he defeated them.
Although they were delayed, on the morning of April 3rd,
the British entered the fort at Jhansi with orders to kill any male over
sixteen. Vishnu Godse, a Hindu priest, wrote of the experience that it
was four days of destruction of property and people “without
distinction.” The fighting was intense and the Rani was in the middle of
it, just as she had frequently been seen on the walls during the siege. In spite of Rose’s precautions, sometime on April 3rd or 4th
Lakshmibai was able to escape. There is a legend that says, once she
knew her capture was inevitable, she tied her son to her back, mounted
her horse and leapt over the cliff. The horse died, but she escaped and
rode 100 miles to Kalpi. At Kalpi, she met with other rebels, but Rose
pursued them and again forced them to retreat, this time to Gwalior.
The point from which Lakshmibai supposedly jumped from the battlement on her horse. (Photo credit: Allen Copsey)
The fort at Gwalior was considered impregnable and Maharaja Sindia
had remained pro-British throughout the rebellion. The British expected
them to disband, but instead about 11,000 rebels advanced on Gwalior.
After the first few shots, most of the Maharaja’s army defected and he
fled to safety. Another Maharaja, Rao Sahib, was crowned and Lakshmibai
was given a priceless pearl necklace. Battle of jhansi--hand to hand fight outside the fort[original painting] On June 17th, they faced the British in battle. Lakshmibai
was given command of the eastern flank, supposedly the most difficult
position to defend. There are several accounts of how she died. You can
read several of them at Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi: Mutiny, but the one I like the best is from Saul David’s book Indian Mutiny 1857, and taken from the diary of Edward Grey, a veterinary surgeon with the 8th Hussars:
“The Rani was on horseback … when the British cavalry
[8th Hussars] made their surprise appearance, causing her escort to
scatter … she boldly ‘attacked one of the 8th in their advance, was
unhorsed and wounded’, possibly by a sabre cut. A short while later as
the British retired … she recognised her former assailant as she sat
bleeding by the roadside and fired at him with her pistol. Unfortunately
she missed and he ‘dispatched the young lady with his carbine’. But
because she was ‘dressed as a sowar’, the trooper never realised ‘that
he had cut off one of the mainstays of the mutiny, that there was a
reward of a lac [lakh] on his victim’s head, or that at that moment she
was wearing jewels worth a crore of rupees’.”
Clicking on the thumbnail will pop up a window showing
a larger image, as above.
The statue in Phul Bagh, Gwalior
One of two statues in Jhansi. This one is in a park
and at the time of the photo had a small political
meeting at its foot. Presumably some small time
politician hoping to gain from her charisma.
The other statue in a small garden at a round junction.
The entrance to the Rani Mahal.
Photography inside the Rani Mahal is forbidden, for
no obvious reason, so what follows doesn't actually exist.
The Rani Mahal encloses a garden on 3 sides with working
building on the 4th side. The majority of the Mahal is
painted over and is used to display statues gathered
in the Jhansi area.
Internal decoration.
Internal decoration.
Internal decoration in the portion that has not been
painted over.
Internal decoration in the portion that has not been
painted over, note the vandalism.
One of two large cannon on display at Jhansi Fort. This one
is the Bhavani Shankar cannon which was operated by Moti Bai.
Battlements of Jhansi Fort
Battlements of Jhansi Fort. The Rani Mahal is the
yellow building on the left.
Battlements of Jhansi Fort
Battlements of Jhansi Fort
Battlements of Jhansi Fort
Battlements of Jhansi Fort
The Panch Mahal, the palace inside Jhansi Fort, with
some ugly extensions and communication tower in the
background.
Another view of the Panch Mahal
The so-called Jumping Point. The Rani is claimed to have
jumped her horse from this point on the wall to the
ground below and so make her escape. The figures in red and
blue give an idea of the scale. This plus the rough
and sloping ground below must surely mean that any
horse would have been killed, not to mention the rider.
The Rani was a good rider, but physics is physics.
It is somewhat more likely that she left by the gate.
The battlements of Jhansi Fort. This side of the fort wall
coincides with the city wall.
The memorial to Gulam Gaus Khan, Moti Bai and Khudabaks.
The three are remembered together as a symbol of unity.
The Panch Mahal is in the right background along with
a satellite dish...
A Shiv Temple dating from the Rani's period, there is
also a Ganesh temple inside the fort near to the Gate.
Some recent decoration. There is a lot of this vandalism,
whether it is a fort as here and at Gwalior, a temple,
even the Rani Mahal.
Some more vandalism.
Rani
Lakshmibai’s statue in Solapur near the Kambar Talav (Sambhaji Talav).
Author: Dharmadhyaksha. Legend says that she escaped with Damodar tied
to her back.
She fought for freedom 160 years ago.
She fought with her head held high,
She fought till she dropped,
Yet, never gave up her pride, her motherland, her beloved, Jhansi!
It’s time to salute India’......................................................................................................................................................................... 10. BEGUM HAZRAT MAHAL Begum Hazrat Mahal, the Begaum of Oudh. She took active part in the defence of Lucknow against the British. Although, she was queen and used to a life of luxury, she appeared on the battle-field herself to encourage her troops. Begam Hazrat Mahal held out against the British with all her strength as long as she could. Ultimately she had to give up and take refuge in Nepal.
KASTURBA GANDHI
9. MADAM CAMA "This flag is of Indian Independence! Behold, it is born! It has been made sacred by the blood of young Indians who sacrificed their lives. I call upon you, gentlemen to rise and salute this flag of Indian Independence. In the name of this flag, I appeal to lovers of freedom all over the world to support this flag." -- B. Cama , Stuttgart, Germany, 19she unfurled the first National Flag at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart (Germany) in 1907. A thousand representatives from several countries were attending. An Indian lady in a colorful sari was a rare phenomena in those days and her majestic appearance and brave and clear words made everybody think that she was a Maharani or at least a princess from a native state. The tricolor-flag Madam Cama unfurled had green, saffron, and red stripes. Red represented strength, saffron victory, and green stood for boldness and enthusiasm. there were eight lotuses representing the eight provinces and flowers represented princely states. "Vande Mataram" in Devanagari adorned central saffron stripe which meant "salutation to Mother India." The sun and the moon indicated Hindu and Muslim faiths. The flag was designed by Veer Savarkar with the help of other revolutionaries. After Stuttgart, Madam went to United States. She traveled a lot and informed Americans about Indians struggling for Independence. She told about British efforts to smother the voice of educated Indians who protested against tyranny and despotism of British who always boasted themselves as "mother of parliamentary democracy" over the world! She could be called "Mother India's first cultural representative to USA."Where is the Flag Now? The flag was smuggled into India by Indulal Yagnik, the socialist leader of Gujarat. It is now on public display at the Maratha and Kesari Library in Pune
4. ARUN ASAF ALI Aruna was born at Kalka, Haryana into a Bengali Brahmo family. She was educated at Lahore and Nainital. She graduated and worked as a teacher, an achievement in itself for women, given the conditions prevalent in the country at that time. She taught at the Gokhale Memorial School in Calcutta. She met Asaf Ali, a leader in the congress party at Allahabad and married him in 1928, despite parental opposition on grounds of religion (she was a Brahmo while he was a Muslim) and age (a difference of more than 20 years).
She became an active member of Congress Party after marriage and participated in public processions during the Salt Satyagraha. She was arrested on the charge that she was a vagrant and hence not released in 1931 under the Gandhi-Irwin Pact which stipulated release of all political prisoners. Other women co-prisoners refused to leave the premises unless she was also released and gave in only after Mahatma Gandhi intervened. A public agitation secured her release.
6. KAMLA NEHRU Many women of the Nehru family too had joined the Civil Disobedience Movement. Kamala Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru's wife gave full support to her husband in his desire to work actively for the freedom struggle. In the Nehru hometown of Allahabad she organized processions, addressed meetings and led picketing of liquor and foreign cloth shops. She played a prominent part in organizing the No Tax Campaign in United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh). Kamala Kaul Nehru (1899–1936) was the wife of Jawaharlal Nehru, leader of the Indian National Congress and first Prime Minister of India. Kamala married Nehru on 8 February 1916. Their marriage was arranged by his parents. 8. VIJAYALAXMI PANDIT Jawaharlal Nehur's sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit inspired by Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi and impressed by Sarojini Naidu entered the Non Cooperation Movement. She was arrested in 1932 and sent to and sentenced to one year's rigorous imprisonment. She was arrested in 1940, and yet again during the Quit India Movement. She attended the Pacific Relations Conference at Hot Springs, U.S.A. as leader of the Indian delegation sponsored by the Indian Council of World Affairs. She was present in San Francisco when the U.N first met there, and through numerous well attended public lectures she challenged the British dominated delegates rights to represent India therein.Sister of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru also played a great role in the freedom movement. She was elected to Uttar Pradesh Assembly in 1936 and in 1946. She was the first woman in India to hold a ministerial rank. She was imprisoned thrice for taking part in the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1932. 1941 and 1942. After Independence, she continued to serve the country. She was the first woman to become president of the United Nations General Assembly. Vijaya Lakshmi Nehru Pandit (1900 - 1990) was an Indian diplomat and politician, In 1921 she married Ranjit Sitaram Pandit, who died on January 14, 1944. She was the first Indian woman to hold a cabinet post. In 1937 she was elected to the provincial legislature of the United Provinces and was designated minister of local self-government and public health. She held the latter post until 1939 and again from 1946 to 1947. In 1946 she was elected to the Constituent Assembly from the United Provinces. 12. Sucheta Kripalani The contribution of Sucheta Kripalani in the struggle for freedom is also worthy of note. She courted imprisonment for taking part in freedom struggle. She was elected as a member of Constituent Assembly in 1946. She was general secretary of Indian National Congress from 1958 to 1960, and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 1963 to 1967. Sucheta Kripalani was in the words of Shrimati Indira Gandhi, “a person of rare courage and character who brought credit to Indian womanhood.” She was born in Ambala, Haryana to a Bengali family. Her father, S.N. Majumdar though a government doctor was a nationalist. Educated at Indraprastha College and St.Stephen's College, Delhi she became a lecturer at the Banaras Hindu University. In 1936, she married socialist, Acharya Kriplani and became involved with the Indian National Congress. Like her contemporaries Aruna Asaf Ali and Usha Mehta, she came to the forefront during the Quit India Movement. She later worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi during the Partition riots. She accompanied him to Noakhali in 1946. She was one of the few women who were elected to the Constituent Assembly and was part of the subcommittee that drafted the Indian Constitution. She became a part of the subcommittee that was handed over the task of laying down the charter for the constitution of India. On 15th August, 1947 she sang Vande Mataram in the Independence Session of the Constituent Assembly. After independence she remained involved with politics in U.P. She was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952 and 1957 and served as a Minister of State for Small Scale Industries. In 1962, she was elected to the U.P Assembly from Kanpur and served in the Cabinet in 1962. In 1963, she became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, the first woman to hold that position in any Indian state. The highlight of her tenure was the firm handling of a state employees strike. The first-ever strike by the state employees which continued for 62 days took place during her regime. She relented only when the employees' leaders agreed for compromise. Although the wife of a socialist, Kriplani cemented her reputation as a firm administrator by refusing their demand for pay hike. She retired from politics in 1971 and remained in seclusion till her death in 1974.She was a very active member.She became the first woman to be elected Chief Minister of a state
INDIAN FEMALE SOLDIER S UNDER SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE -- KNOWN AS 'RANI OF JHANSI REGIMENT ' FIGHTING AGAINST BRITISH TROOPS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A BRAVE WOMAN PATRIOT FROM PALGHAT ,KERALA - Lt Col LAXMI Swaminathan of the Indian National Army-CLICK AND READ:->http://pazhayathu.blogspot.in
Veteran freedom fighter Lakshmi Sehgal passed away at the age of 97. On Thursday, Sehgal was admitted to a hospital in Kanpur after she suffered cardiac arrest. A long time companion of Subhash Chandra Bose, she was a captain of Rani of Jhansi Regiment of Indian National Army. A doctor by profession, she was honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 1998. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================ ============================================================================
The visit of Gadhiji to Thalassery
created a lot of enthusiasm among freedom fighters. A lot of women came
forward to court arrest. Among them was Kamala Bai Prabhu who was
arrested and brought before a Joint Magistrate Court. She was senteced
to 6 months imprisonment and Rs. 1,000 fine. Kamala Bai refused to pay
the fine and instead removed her nose-ring and gave it to the
magistrate. The magistrate was not satisfied and asked her to handover
her mangalsutra. She told the magistrate that only the widows can
remove the mangalsutra. The magistrate did not agree and asked the
police to break the mangalsutra and hand it over. Left with no option
kamal bai told a female friend to remove the mangalsutra and give it to
the magistrate. She was then sent to the Vellore central jail. The incident created a big controlversy. V.P. Narayanan Nambiar raised
the issue in the Madras Assembly and S. Sathyamurthy took it up in the
Parliament. The issue even came up in the British parliament. Mohammed
Ismail, the advisor to the Madras goverment express regrets for the
incident. He also ordered that the mangalsutra be returned to Kamala
Bai but she refused to accept it. The magistrate Dodwell who created
the mangalsutra controversy was sent back to Britain.
Jayasurya, Padmaja, Randheer, Nilawar and Leelamani
Signature
Sarojini Naidu, also known by the sobriquet The Nightingale of India,[1] was a child prodigy, Indian independence activist
and poet. Naidu was one of the framers of the Indian Constitution.
Naidu is the second Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress[2] and the first woman to become the Governor of Uttar Pradesh state.[3] Her birthday is celebrated as Women's Day in India.[4]
She was born in Hyderabad to Bengali HinduKulin Brahmin
family to Agorenath Chattopadhyay and Barada Sundari Devi on 18th
February 1879. Her father was a doctor of science from Edinburgh
University, settled in Hyderabad State, where he founded and
administered the Hyderabad College, which later became the Nizam's
College in Hyderabad. Her mother was a poetess baji and used to write
poetry in Bengali. Sarojini Naidu was the eldest among the eight
siblings. One of her brothers Birendranath was a revolutionary and her
other brother, Harindranath was a poet, dramatist, and actor. [5]
In 1925, Sarojini Naidu presided over the annual session of Indian National Congress at Cawnpore. In 1929, she presided over East African Indian Congress in South Africa. She was awarded the hind a kesari medal by the British government for her work during the plague epidemic in India.[8] In 1931, she participated in the Round table conference with Gandhiji and Madan Mohan Malaviya.[9] Sarojini Naidu played a leading role during the Civil Disobedience Movement and was jailed along with Gandhiji and other leaders. In 1942, Sarojini Naidu was arrested during the "Quit India"
movement and was jailed for 21 months with Gandhiji. She shared a very
warm relationship with Gandhiji and used to call him "Mickey Mouse".[10]
Literary career
Sarojini Naidu began writing at the age of 12. Her play, Maher
Muneer, impressed the Nawab of Hyderabad. In 1905, her collection of
poems, named "The Broken Exes" was published.[11] Her poems were admired by many prominent Indian politicians like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Jawaharlal Nehru .
Marriage
During her stay in England, Sarojini met Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu, a
non-Brahmin and a doctor by profession, and fell in love with him. After
finishing her studies at the age of 19, she got married to him during
the time when inter-caste marriages were not allowed. Her father
approved the marriage and her marriage was a very happy one.[5]
The couple had five children. Jayasurya, Padmaja, Randheer, Nilawar and Leelamani. Her daughter Padmaja
followed in to her footprints and became the Governor of West Bengal.
In 1961, she published a collection of poems entitled The Feather of The
Dawn. [12]
Works
Each year links to its corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay (3 April 1903 – 29 October 1988) was an Indian social reformer and freedom fighter. She is most remembered for her contribution to the Indian independence movement;
for being the driving force behind the renaissance of Indian
handicrafts, handlooms, and theatre in independent India; and for
upliftment of the socio-economic standard of Indian women by pioneering
the co-operative movement.[1]
Several cultural institutions in India today are a gift of her vision, including the National School of Drama, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Central Cottage Industries Emporium, and the Crafts Council of India.
The doyen
of Indian arts and crafts, a person single-handedly responsible for
reviving Indian crafts back from oblivion of 200 years of foreign rule
where they went without any patronage, be it government or public, due
lack of awareness of its richness as well as its accessibility to the
common man.
She stressed the significance which handicrafts and cooperative
grassroot movements, play in the social and economic upliftement of the
Indian people. To this end she withstood great opposition both before
and after independence from the power centres, but managed to leave
behind a rich and formidable legacy of thriving Indian handicrafts,
theatre forms and arts that have now become an integral of our rural
economy, across the nation.
Born on 3 April 1903, Kamaladevi was the fourth and youngest daughter of a Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin couple in Mangalore. Her father, Ananthaya Dhareshwar was the District Collector of Mangalore, and her mother Girijabai, from whom she inherited an independent streak, belonged to an aristocratic family from Karnataka.
Kamaladevi's grandmother was herself, a scholar of ancient Indian
texts, and her a mother was also well-educated though mostly
home-educated. Together their presence in the household, gave Kamaladevi
a firm grounding and provided benchmarks to respect for her intellect
as well as her voice, something that she came to known for in the coming
years, when she stood as the voice of the downtrodden as well as the
unheard.
Kamaladevi was an exceptional student and also exhibited qualities of
determination and courage from an early age. Her parents’ befriended
many prominent freedom fighters and intellectuals such as Mahadev Govind Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and women leaders like Ramabai Ranade, and Annie Besant, this made young Kamaladevi an early enthusiast of the swadeshi nationalist movement.
She studied about ancient Sanskrit drama tradition of Kerala- Kutiyattam, from its greatest Guru and authority of Abhinaya, Nātyāchārya Padma ShriMāni Mādhava Chākyār by staying at Guru's home at Killikkurussimangalam.[2]
Tragedy struck early in life, when her elder sister, Saguna, whom she
considered a role model, died in her teens, soon after her early
marriage, and when she was just seven years old her father died as well.
To add to her mother, Girijabai's trouble, he died without leaving a
will for his vast property, so according to property laws of the times,
the entire property went to her stepson, and they only got a monthly
allowance. Girijabai defiantly refused the allowance and decided to
raise her daughters on her dowry property.
Her rebellious streak was visible even as a child, when young
Kamaladevi questioned the aristocratic division of her mother’s
household, and preferred to mingle with her servants and their children
wanting to understand their life as well.
First Marriage and widowhood
In 1917, when was only fourteen years of age, she was married to Krishna Rao,
and within two years she was widowed, while she was still at school.
According to orthodox Hindu rules of the times, being a widow she was
not allowed to continue her education, yet she defiantly moved to
Chennai, and continued her education from St. Mary's School, Chennai and
finally completed her high school in 1918.[3]
1920s
Marriage to Harin
Meanwhile studying at Queen Mary’s College in Chennai, she came to
know with Suhasini Chattopadhyay, a fellow student and the younger
sister of Sarojini Naidu,
who later introduced Kamaladevi to their talented brother, Harin, by
then a well-known poet-playwright-actor. It was their mutual interest in
the arts, which brought them together.
Finally when she was twenty years old, Kamaladevi married Harindranath Chattopadhyay,
much to the opposition of the orthodox society of the times, which was
still heavily against widow marriage. Their only son Ramu was born in
the following year.[4]
Harin and Kamaladevi stayed together to pursue common dreams, which
wouldn’t have been possible otherwise, and in spite of many
difficulties, they were able to work together, to produce plays and
skits.
Later she also acted in a few films, in an era when acting was
considered unsuitable for women from respectable families. In her first
stint, she acted in two silent films, including the first silent film[5] of Kannada film industry, 'Mricchakatika'(Vasantsena) (1931), based on the famous play by Sudraka, also starring Yenakshi Rama Rao, and directed by pioneering Kannada director, Mohan Dayaram Bhavnani. In her second stint in films she acted in a 1943 Hindi film, Tansen, also starring K. L. Saigal and Khursheed,[6] followed by Shankar Parvati (1943), and Dhanna Bhagat (1945).[7]
Eventually after many years of marriage, they parted ways amicably.
Here again, Kamaladevi broke a tradition by filing for divorce much to
the chagrin of the society, rather than stay in a non-functional
marriage.
Move to London
Shortly after their marriage, Harin left for London, on his first
trip abroad, and a few months later Kamaladevi joined him, where she
joined Bedford College, University of London, and later she received a diploma in Sociology.
Call of the Freedom Movement
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 in charge of the women's section of the Dal, where she got
involved in recruiting, training and organizing girls and women of all
ages women across India, to become voluntary workers, 'sevikas'.
In 1926, she met the suffragetteMargaret E. Cousins, the founder of All India Women's Conference (AIWC), and was inspired her to run for the Madras Provincial Legislative Assembly. Thus she became the first woman to run for a Legislative seat in India. Though she could campaign for only a few days, she lost only by 200 votes.
The All-India Women's Conference
In the following year, she founded the All-India Women's Conference
(AIWC) and became its first Organizing Secretary. In the following
years, AIWC, grew up to become a national organization of repute, with
branches and voluntary programs run throughout the nation, and work
steadfastly for legislative reforms. During her tenure, she travelled
extensively to many European nations and was inspired to initiate
several social reform and community welfare programs, and set up
educational institutions, run for the woman, and by women. Another
shining example in this series was the formation of Lady Irwin College for Home Sciences, a one of its kind college for women of its times, in New Delhi.
1930s
Later she was a part of the seven member lead team, announced by Mahatma Gandhi, in the famous Salt Satyagraha
(1930), to prepare Salt at the Bombay beachfront, the only other woman
volunteer of the team was Avantikabai Gokhale. Later in a startling
move, Kamaladevi went up to a nearby High Court, and asked a magistrate
present there whether he would be interested in buying the 'Freedom
Salt' she had just prepared.
On 26 January 1930 she captured the imagination of the entire nation
when in a scuffle, she clung to the Indian tricolour to protect it.[8]
First Indian woman to be arrested
In the 1930s, she was arrested for entering the Bombay Stock Exchange to sell packets of contraband salt, and spent almost a year in prison. In 1936, she became president of the Congress Socialist Party, working alongside Jayaprakash Narayan, Ram Manohar Lohia and Minoo Masani.
For her, feminism was inseparable from socialism, and where necessary
she opposed her own colleagues when they ignored or infringed women’s
rights. For instance, when Mahatma Gandhi opposed the inclusion of women
in the Dandi March
(claiming that Englishmen would not hurt women, just as Hindus would
not harm cows), Kamaladevi spoke out against this stand. Some time in
the 1920s she and Harindranath separated and divorced by mutual consent;
their marriage had largely been one of convenience and they had
followed different paths.
1940s
When World War II
broke out Kamaladevi was in England, and she immediately began a world
tour to represent India’s situation to other countries and drum up
support for Independence after the war.
Post-Independence work
Independence of India, brought Partition in its wake, and she plunged into rehabilitation of the refugees. Her first task was to set up the Indian Cooperative Union
to help with rehabilitation, and through the Union she made plans for a
township on cooperative lines. At length Mahatma Gandhi reluctantly
gave her permission on the condition that she did not ask for state
assistance, and so after much struggle, the township of Faridabad was set up, on the outskirts of Delhi, rehabilitating over 50,000 refugees from the Northwest Frontier.
She worked tirelessly helped the refugees to establish new homes, and
new professions, for this they were trained in new skills, she also
helped setting up health facilities in the new town.
Thus began the second phase of life's work in rehabilitation of
people as well their lost crafts, she is considered single handedly
responsible for the great revival of Indian handicrafts and handloom, in
the post-independence era, and is considered her greatest legacy to
modern India.[9]
1950s and beyond
Around this time she became concerned at the possibility that the
introduction of Western methods of factory-based mass production in
India as part of Nehru's vision for Indian's development would affect
traditional artisans, especially women in the unorganised sectors. She
set up a series of crafts museums to hold and archive India's indigenous
arts and crafts that served as a storehouse for indigenous known how.
This included the Theatre Crafts Museum in Delhi.
She equally promoted arts and crafts, and instituted the National
Awards for Master Craftsmen, and a culmination of her enterprising
spirit lead to the setting up Central Cottage Industries Emporia,
throughout the nation to cater to the tastes of a nation, rising to its
ancient glory.
In 1964 she started the Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography (NIKC), Bangalore, under the aegis of Bharatiya Natya Sangh, affiliated to the UNESCO. Its present director is famous danseuse Smt. Maya Rao.
Kamaladevi was a woman ahead of her times, she was instrumental in
setting up the All India Handicrafts Board, she was also it's the first
chairperson, The Crafts Council of India was also the first president of
the World Crafts Council, Asia Pacific Region.[10]
She also set up the National School of Drama and later headed the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and also a member of UNESCO. Her acclaimed autobiography, Inner Recesses and Outer Spaces: Memoir was published in 1986.
Awards and recognition
The Government of India conferred on her the Padma Bhushan (1955) and later the second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan in 1987, which are among the highest civilian awards of the Republic of India. She also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1966) for Community Leadership. She was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Ratna Sadsya, the highest award of Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, given for lifetime achievement in 1974,.[11] UNESCO honoured her with an award in 1977 for her contribution towards the promotion of handicrafts. Shantiniketan honoured her with the Desikottama, its highest award. UNIMA (Union Internationals de la Marlonette), International Puppetry organization, also made her their Member of Honour.
Legacy
In 2007, the Outlook Magazine chose Kamaladevi amongst its list of 60 Great Indians.[12] and she was India Today's, 100 Millennium People.[13]
Today, the World Crafts Council gives two awards in her memory, the
Kamaladevi Awards and the Kamala Sammaan, for exceptional craft persons
or to individual for their outstanding contribution to the field of
Crafts.[14]
Apart from that the Crafts Council of Karnataka, also gives the
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Vishwakarma Awards, each year to noteworthy
crafts persons.[15]
For over three decades now, Bhartiya Natya Sangha has been awarding
the 'Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya Award' for the best play of the year.
Books by Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay
The Awakening of Indian women, Everyman’s Press, 1939.
Japan-its weakness and strength, Padma Publications 1943.
Uncle Sam's empire, Padma publications Ltd, 1944.
In war-torn China, Padma Publications, 1944.
Towards a National theatre, (All India Women's Conference, Cultural Section. Cultural books), Aundh Pub. Trust, 1945.
America,: The land of superlatives, Phoenix Publications, 1946.
At the Cross Roads, National Information and Publications, 1947.
Socialism and Society, Chetana, 1950.
Tribalism in India, Brill Academic Pub, 1978, ISBN 0706906527.
On
the occassion of this Independance Day to remember the Freedom
Fighters, who destroyed their beautiful lives for our Beautiful Life.
There are many Women Freedom Fighters in Indian history, But we know
about few of them only. (I searched for some women Indian freedom
fighters on the Web, but I could not found a single word about them
(i.e. Kanakalatha Baruva - Assam Freedom Fighter, Naanibala Devi,
Suneethi, Shanthi). I am requesting to the readers - Please gather about
our Great Indians who spent their valuable life for our Beautiful
Future. I am here posting about few of the Brave Indian Women Freedom
Fighters.
You will hardly find an Indian who hasn¡¯t grown up hearing the brave
adventures of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi. She was one of the leading
personalities in the National Uprising of 1857. Because of her
never-say-die spirit, today she is an epitome of courage and her name is
used as a metaphorfor bravery!
Sarojoni Naidu
Sarojini Naidu has been a beacon of inspiration to many women. At a time
when women were oppressed to a large extent in many states, she was one
of the first few women who stepped out and took the reins of leadership
in her own hands. As the first woman President of Indian National
Congress and Governor of Uttar Pradesh, she displayed some rare
qualities. Her poems continue to inspire us
Begum Hazrat Mahal
She was one of the iconic freedom fighters of theNational Uprising in
1857. When themutiny began, she was one of the first freedom fighter who
urged the rural folk to rise up against the British oppression. She
thus seized the control of Lucknow and announced her son as the King of
Oudh. However, when the British recaptured Lucknow, she was forcedto
retreat to Nepal.
Vijaylakshmi Pandit
Like her brother Jawaharlal Nehru, she too felt passionately for her
country. After serving our nation for years, she became the first woman
President of the United Nations General Assembly. A writer, a diplomat,
and a politician, her worksare an inspiration to many young women.
Kittur Rani Chennamma
Even though you may hardly be familiar with her name, she was one of the
earliest Indian rulers who fought forfreedom. 33 years before the
National Uprising, this queen of a princely state in Karnataka led an
armed rebellion against the British, and lost her life in the end. Even
today, she is revered as one of the bravest women in Karnataka.
Bhikaiji Cama
Bhikaji Cama is undoubtedly one of the bravest women in the history of
Indian Freedom Struggle. She was one of the pioneers in setting up the
IndianHome Rule Society. When in exile, she wrote several revolutionary
literatures from the freedom movement. She even made radical speeches
for gender equality in Egypt.
Re: Indian Women Freedom Fighters We Salute
Sucheta Kriplani
With the dedication and passion that she exuded for her country during
the struggle, she was elected as the firstwoman Chief Minister of any
Indian state. She stepped up for her country with the Quit India
Movement and she was one of Gandhiji¡¯s close associates in several
Partition riots. She was a role model and encouraged many women to join
the struggle.
Aruna Asaf Ali
She was an active member of the Congress Party who not just fought for
our country¡¯s freedom, but also for the rights of political prisoners
in Tihar Jail. She launched a hunger strike for the latter and her
efforts resulted in improved conditions but she was subjected to
solitary confinement. She displayed great courage by standing up to the
oppressive rule as well as her family who were against the idea of her
marrying a Muslim (she was originally a Brahmo).
The steady change in their position can be highlighted by looking at what has been achieved by women in the country:
1848: Jyotirao Phule, along with his wife Savitribai Phule, opened a school for girls in Pune, India. Savitribai Phule became the first women teacher in India.
1947: On 15 August 1947, following independence, Sarojini Naidu became the governor of the United Provinces, and in the process became India's first woman governor.
1951: Prem Mathur of the Deccan Airways becomes the first Indian women commercial pilot.
======================================================================= Role of Women in India’s Struggle For Freedom Siddhartha Dash:-http://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2010/August/engpdf/74-76.pdfhttp://orissa.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2010/August/engpdf/74-76.pdf ========================================================================== ========================================================================== ========================================================================== Attingal Queen.1810-53 Junior Rani H.H. Sri
Patmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Dyumani Raja Rajeshwari Rani Gouri
Parvati Bai of Attingal in Travancore (India 1810-53
Junior Rani H.H. Sri Patmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Dyumani Raja
Rajeshwari Rani Gouri Parvati Bai of Attingal in Travancore (India) 1815-29 Regent of Travancore When
her elder sister Regent Maharani Gowri Lakshmi Bayi died after
childbirth in 1815 she was only thirteen years of age and being the only
female left in the family, besides her deceased sister's little
daughter, she became Regent Maharani on behalf of her nephew, the heir,
Maharajah Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. She was on her accession actively
counselled by her brother in law, Raja Raja Varma of the Changanssery
Royal family as well as her husband, Raghava Varma, who belonged to the
Royal family of Kilimanoor. Her first act was to appoint a new Dewan,
and she continued the reforms of her older sister. Christians got more
freedom and some of the restrictions put on some of the lower castes
were removed, she also introduced health reforms. er mother, Princes
Atham of the Travancore, was the Senior Rani of Attingal. Her first
husband was Raghava Varma of the Kilimanoor Royal family and after his
death she married his brother After his death in 1824, she married
again, but did not have any children. She lived (1802-53).
1815-? Senior Rani Gowri Rukmini Bayi of Attingal in Travancore (India) succeeded
to the title of Senior Rani of Attingal after the death of her mother,
the Queen Regent, Rani Gouri Lakshmi Bai. Apart from her aunt, who was
regent 1815-29, she only female in the matriarchal Travancore Royal
Family, she married Rama Varma Koil Thampuran of Thiruvalla Royal Family
in 1819 and had seven children, five sons and two daughters. One of
these daughters died soon while the other married and had two sons,
including Moolam Thirunal Sir Rama Varma. In 1888 two princesses were
adopted from the Mavelikara Royal family into Travancore. (b. 1809-?).
History
On
the night of April 11, 1721 150 Britishers were done to death at the
Attingal Palace near Thiruvananthapuram. What perhaps was the first
major attack on the British in India though rarely mentioned in Indian
history . It was a clever plot laid by Kodumon Pillai, Minister of the
queen of Attingal, Umayamma Rani, who out smarted the shrewd British who
had superior weapons. The Nair Pada and the local Muslims took part in
the operation and the British met with the biggest debacle in the
region. The immediate provocation was about the building of a Fort at
Anchu Thengu, Anjengo in British records. The scheming British had
entered in to a series of maneuvers to make trade in spices their
monopoly. Greed for huge profits drove them wild, capturing the spice
country itself later. Those were the early days of the English East
India Company in India, the Dutch and the British on Indian shores were
engaged in a series of conflicts to stake control of the sea trade.
Muslims, traditionally intermediaries in spice trade, were severely
affected with the curbs in trade. Equipped with their guns and cannons,
what the local soldiers were not yet having, they became menacing.
Orders of the Rani to stop the building of the Fort were disobeyed.
Initial attacks launched by the Nair Pada was rebuffed with severe
casualties. It was after a wait that the clever trap was laid and almost
everyone in the Fort was executed. Cannons and gunfire of the British
came to naught. Attingal
was the seat of the sovereign of Venad during this period and there were
only queens, Ranis, in power. Apart from Attingal proper the
principalities of Elayidam or Kottarakkara, Perakam or Nedumangad,
Thiruvithamkode or Travancore, Kollam, Kaymkulam, Karunagappalli and
Karthikappalli were all under the Attingal Rani. The sovereigns were
ceremonial rulers and the actual power remained with the feudal lords
titled Pillais, Nairs, who kept their own armies and administration.
Feuds between the Pillais used to lead to intermittent clashes at the
time. This was a turning point in the history of Kerala, also India.
Travancore stood the side of the British after this episode and emerged
as a major power during the reign of King Marthanda Varma. It was
Marthanda Varma, who with the support of the British, annexed most of
these principalities later and created the unified Travancore. The
others were mostly allied with the Dutch, except the extreme north like
Kolathu Nadu, modern Kannur. Marthanda Varma was also instrumental in
neutralizing the powerful Pillais, Nayars, the story of his avenging the
‘Ettuveettil Pillamar’ is a figurative story of the event. From traders
the British soon became sovereigns in India. The famous Kalari culture
of the feudal lords, Pillais, stood liquidated during the British period
that ensued. The sequence of events that lead to the massacre were
rooted primarily in the English attempts to monopolise trade. The Dutch
and the English East India Companies were active in spice trade and both
had factories on Indian soil, godowns for merchandise initially, which
later were made army barracks. The Dutch had a factory at Thenga
Pattinam, now in Kanyakumari district, and the English in Vizhinjam. The
negotiations were all with the Pillais who had the authority to deal
with the traders. Due to the internecine conflicts and overtures to
monopolise trade the factory in Thenga Pattinam was destroyed by the
Pillais and the factory chief was executed in the year 1684. Two ships
belonging to the Dutch were also set on fire. When complained Attingal
Rani agreed to compensate the loss, but this was not possible as the
Pillais were adamant. A request from the English that they be permitted
to build a big wall around the Vizhinjam factory was also opposed by the
Pillais. They fore saw the implications. Kottayam Kerala Varma, the
ruling king in Thiruvithamkode, adopted from Kolathunadu in the north,
was not in very good terms with these powerful feudal lords. It was
during this time that the Attingal Rani gave permission to the English
to build a factory at Anchu Thengu in the year 1694. Vanchimuttom
Pillai and Kodumon Pillai were the ministers to the queen, prominent
among the Council of Ministers, who advised the Rani that it will
eventually prove disastrous. Accordingly the Rani asked the Company to
stop building the Fort, this the English refused to heed. And Kodumon
Pillai with the help of the Nair Pada in Chirayinkeezh attacked the
Fort. The English now equipped with their cannons and guns retaliated
and the attempt to stop the British ended in vain. Now, Vanchimuttom
Pillai and Kodumon Pillai had a tussle going between them and Kodumon
Pillai was the favourite of the Rani. How Vanchimuttom, it is believed,
secretly helped the English in building the Fort. In 1690 the Rani
passed away and the English completed building the Fort in the very next
year taking advantage of the confusion. Soon the sea trade was under
the control of the British who with their superior arms started
dictating terms, in who can trade and at what price, also refused to pay
taxes. The queens that followed Umayamma Rani were all adopted from
Kolathunadu and they were too weak to manage the scene and the Pillais
were restive. Feuds between the two Pillais also became a matter of
concern, which gave the English a golden opportunity. The old feudal
system was having its own problems. The English now stationed
comfortably at the heavily armed Fort at Anchu Thengu refused to permit
anyone else to trade in Attingal principality. Except the Dutch who were
very powerful at the time, though the English used to give information
about the Dutch vessels to the Muslims who had taken to warfare and were
pirates in the seas by now. The English men in the Fort went around
trading at their will and started looting the local people who had no
choice but obey them. Corruption among the British officers became
rampant. The local traders and common people came to hate the English.
Each one in the Fort started minting money and one Coifing, who was in
charge at the time, was discharged by the Company for misappropriation
of money. Next it was the tenure of one Gilford, who made the situation
worse from bad. Two incidents at the time became crucial. One was the
purchase by one Ignacio, an interpreter of the company, a plot of land
belonging to the Devi temple. The one who sold this had no legal rights
to sell it and the English forcibly occupied the land despite objections
from the local people. Another episode was the maltreatment to some
traders who went to the Fort. A merchant Brahmin who went there was
anointed with some ritual powder by a woman, as part of a Christian
ceremony, and the insulted man injured the woman taking out his sword.
Gilford coming to know about it inflicted severe punishments on the
merchants. In fact it was a plot by Gilford who wanted to take revenge
on those who refused to help him in his private trade. The matter
reached Kodumon Pillai who attacked the Fort with a big force, lost many
lives due to gunfire and the English took refuge inside. The Nair Pada
burned a ship of the Company and laid a siege on the Fort, but soon
after a ship from Mumbai with soldiers arrived and they were saved. The
impasse that followed after the cold war between the two Pillais, as to
who should be accepted as the Rani in Attingal, was a matter of concern
during this period. Eventually in the year 1721 they came to a truce and
the sister of the sovereign of Kollam was accepted as queen in
Attingal. The British, who had to pay arrears, were contacted and
Gilford, facing troubles due to the opposition of the people, decided to
meet the queen and also compromise with the Pillais. He sent emissaries
to the Palace. Extensive talks were held through intermediaries and
the English agreed to pay up the tax arrears for the period they made
default and make relations smooth. To settle the matters they were
invited by the Pillais, Gilford and the other Englishmen did not sense
the pent up anger and thought it an old story, to the Attingal Palace.
Everyone in the Fort were invited for a big party. On 11 th of April
almost everyone in the English factory at Anchu Thengu thus came in a
procession, as discussed and agreed to. Taking the river route they
reached the Palace in great ceremony. The entourage was 150 strong. As
the boats landed messengers of the Pillais persuaded the English to
leave their guns in the boat as these were not permitted in the Palace.
This was complied. Later the English and the Pillais went in to marathon
discussions regarding the arrears in taxes and it was dark by then. The
English had brought the new currency of the East India Company which
the Pillais refused to accept. They demanded that the traditional
Venetian currency be paid, what was the dollar of those days, this was
not available with the English. Pillais were buying time. They wanted to
meet the queen but as it was already dark the Pillais asked the English
men to stay for the night and meet her in the morning. Casey, the
second in charge of the Fort, smelt a rat and told Gilford that it was
risky to stay there at night but Gilford was not willing to listen. As
it was getting pitch dark Gilford heard the unusual movement of people
in the Palace and was alarmed. Now sensing danger he sent a messenger to
the Fort at Anchu Thengu several kilometers away in the night itself.
Soon a huge party of the Nair Pada and the Muslims ran over the English
men and every one of the 150 odd people were killed. It was a clean
operation where the superior arms did not help. Gilford, crafty and
corrupt, to whom they had a long standing grudge, having killed many
comrades, was beheaded and the body pinned on a wooden board, then
floated in the river. The only one who escaped was the messenger sent by
Gilford at night, who reached the Fort the next day. The horrifying
revenge was known only at the time. It was mostly women and children at
the Fort and the only competent gun man left there, one Samuel,
evacuated the women and children to safety by sea. Expecting that the
Nair Pada is to attack the Fort soon he sealed the doors. He also burned
the large quantity of surplus gun powder stored in the premises. As
expected the attack of the Nair Pada came on April 14 . It was more to
capture the Fort and the weaponry. But they could not enter the huge
Fort walls and the cannons kept spitting fire, after sporadic attacks
repulsed by the gun men they gave up. They returned back after setting
fire to the houses in the vicinity of the Fort. On hearing about the
tragedy that befell the Englishmen the Rani send a message expressing
sorrow about what happened. Trade had become too attractive to lose. The
King of Kollam also send a similar message. Taking advantage of the
situation the King of Thiruvithamkode, Travancore, Rama Varma, who had
assumed the throne only a few days back, made swift moves. Competition
between the spice kingdoms was common, for better trading. Originally
belonging to Kolathunadu, Rama Varma, brother Aditya Varma and his
sisters were adopted in 1696. This adoption had the support of Adams,
chief of the Tellicherry factory of the British, under which the Fort at
Anchu Thengue also came. After the massacre the Rani and Vanchimuttom
Pillai had left to Kollam allied with the Dutch. Rama Varma saw this an
opportunity and also wanted to make his sister queen of Attingal. The
British interfering in selection of kings and queens was common in this
era, using terms in trade as the bait, offering luxuries and various
other means. In 1722
Alexander, a cousin of Adams, was appointed chief of Anchu Thengu. In
the same year two more adoptions were made from Kolathunadu, a prince
and a princess, at the behest of Adams and one of them was crowned the
prince of Travancore. Rama Varma meanwhile gave permission to the
English, by now his friends, to build a fort at Colachel and permission
to mint coins for Travancore in 1723. He made an agreement with the
English giving them monopoly for trade in Travancore and gave permission
for yet another fort in Idava in 1726. From the two nephews of Rama
Varma one was the Prince of Iraniel, who was to become famous later as
Marthanda Varma, and the other Prince of Neyyattinkara. In 1728 the
Prince of Neyyattinkara taking the help of the Naiks of Madurai hired a
battalion of Vaduka Pada and marched on Attingal. The British all along
did not directly confront the Nair Pada but made one to fight another.
Fifteen of the leading Pillais in Attingal were executed and the
remaining surrendered. Karthika Thirunal, a princess and his own
relative, was made the queen of Attingal. In
1729 after Rama Varma passed away the Neyyattinkara prince and another
in Karunagappalli became kings of Travancore and both died in the same
year one after other. Prince of Iraniel, Marthanda Varma, became the
king of Travancore. He helped the British to contain the Dutch presence
in the region and was instrumental in a major expansion drive. Soon
Marthanda Varma captured all the remaining Pillais of Attingal involved
in the massacre and handed them over to the English. From a small
principality that remained south of the river Karamana, Travancore, with
the help of the British got extended up to river Periyar in the north.
With the help of a Brahmin minister Ramayyan all the principalities were
subdued, many of these allied with the Dutch. The traditional social
structure with the Nair warriors in charge were razed to the ground.
Marthanda Varma raised new armies and this left the traditional warriors
jobless. Nair chieftains’ powers of tax collection and legal duties
stood removed and those who opposed were mercilessly persecuted, even
the women and children not spared. Those favourable were promoted. The
state was surrendered to the Padmanabha Swamy temple by Marthanda Varma,
under Tulu Brahmin priests, as a clever move to neutralize revolt. But
it was an actual surrender to the British that resulted, completed by
his heir Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma who consolidated the British
connection and Travancore came under the British in 1795. After the war
with Mysore, where Tippu Sultan was defeated, Travancore was forced to
accept the sovereignty of a Company, the English East India Company,
traders became rulers. The
Travancore royalty, as also many other royal families, remained friends
of the British, the British crown taking over control from the Company
later, till India attained independence. The popular revolts that
immediately followed this phase, by Pazhassi Raja in the north and Velu
Thambi in the south (1790 – 1810), against the British, were contained.
And those who revolted were pauperized and their powers gradually
neutralised. Whether the human sacrifice at Attingal taught the British
in India a lesson or it helped the chain of events leading to British
occupation is a question that remains unanswered. Monopoly trade, what
triggered the massacre, later took over the world and remains the most
oppressive regime controlling mankind is a valid observation. Resource
poor North exploiting the resource rich South using the game of trade
continues to operate without any hindrance. The same urge to monopolise
trade is what underlies the modern rhetoric of globalisation, only it is
now much more subtle and sophisticated. It has become far too well
entrenched, have governments as allies and it has become difficult to
question the silent war killing millions in poverty.
History It
is beleived that Attingal town was built 800 years ago. During ancient
times Attingal was known to be "Chittattinkara" as it is encircled on
three sides by the rivers "Vamana puram river" and "Mamom river".
Historically, Attingal has been the residence of the women of the Venad
royal family. The Attingal Palace dates to 1305 C.E. Attingal and the
surrounding areas were a principality within the Travancore kingdom, and
were ruled by their queens. By the colonial period, trade flourished
with Portuguese and Dutch traders. In 1735, Marthanda Varma, the king of
Travancore, took Attingal. Feudal status The
mother of the Maharaja of Travancore and her sister received the
principality of Attingal in joint appanage. They were consequently
styled the Senior and Junior Rani (the female form of Raja or Rana) of
Attingal, respectively. Their husbands, known as Koil Tampurans, came
from one of four or five princely houses who were closely related to the
Royal House. Attingal was the seat of the sovereign of Venad during
this period and there were only queens, Ranis, in power. Apart from
Attingal proper the principalities of Elayidam or Kottarakkara, Perakam
or Nedumangad, Thiruvithamkode or Travancore, Kollam, Kaymkulam,
Karunagappalli and Karthikappalli were all under the Attingal Rani. Attingal Revolution Attingal
Mutiny was the first ever rebellion againt the British in India. The
grant of Anchuthengu to the English provoked the wrath of a section of
the local population and in 1697 the English factory was subjected to a
violent but futile attack. In 1721, the English factors felt the need to
appease the Rani of Attingal (Queen) after alienating the local
population by their "overbearing behaviour". They sent a set of presents
to the Rani. The local agents of the "Pillamar" demanded that those
presents should be given to them for transmission to the Rani. When it
was denied, on the night of April 11, 1721 140 Englishmen were massacred
on their way to the Rani, and the fort was laid under siege for nearly
six months. The Nair Pada and the local Muslims took part in the
operation and the British met with the biggest debacle in the region The
fort was relieved only when reinforcements for the English arrived from
Talassery. Similarly the grant of Talassery was resented by Kurangoth
Nair who claimed the territory to be under his control. He in alliance
with one of the dissident Kolathiri princes, raided the Company's
warehouse and inflicted heavy damage to property in 1704-05. Attingal Palace The
Attingal palaces (Manomohanavilasom and Koyikkal), which are mentioned
in literature dating from 1305 A.D., and many temples are in the
Municipality. Chirayinkil, a town famous for its Sarkara Temple, is
close by. It is also a major road junction. Until 1837 Senior Rani Gouri Rukmani Bai of Attingal in Travancore (India) The
younger daughter of the Queen Regent Rani Gouri Lakshmi Bai (1810-15),
she succeeded her sister, Gouri Lakshmi Bai, as Senior Rani of Attingal.
Two of her sons became Maharajas, she was mother of a total of eight
children, and lived (1809-37). 1837-53 Senior Rani Parvati Bai of Attingal in Travancore (India) Also
known as Chathayam Tirunal, she succeeded Gouri Rukmani Bai as joint
administrator of the principality of Attingal, which were given as
appanage to the two senior Princesses of the Travancore royal family,
which follows matrilineal inheritance, according to male primogeniture.
She was unmarried and (d. 1853).
Travancore Kings Rama Varma 1663-1672 Aditya Varma 1672-1677 Umayamma Rani‡ 1677-1684 FLAG OF FORMER PRINCELY STATE OF TRAVANCORE Ravi Varma 1684-1718 Aditya Varma 1718-1719 Unni Kerala Varma 1719-1724 Rajah Rama Varma 1724-1729 Marthanda Varma 1729-1758 Dharma Raja 1758-1798 Balarama Varma 1798-1810 Gowri Lakshmi Bayi‡ 1810-1815 Gowri Parvati Bayi‡ 1815-1829 Swathi Thirunal 1829-1846 Uthram Thirunal 1846-1860 Ayilyam Thirunal 1860-1880 Visakham Thirunal 1880-1885 Moolam Thirunal 1885-1924 Sethu Lakshmi Bayi‡ 1924-1931 Chithira Thirunal 1931-1949 ‡ Regent Queens Capitals Padmanabhapuram 1721-1795 Thiruvananthapuram 1795-1949 Palaces Padmanabhapuram Palace Kilimanoor palace Kuthira Malika Kowdiar Palace
Attingal palace
The first
War of Independence against the East India Company started from this
Palace in Attingal, Kerala. This war was headed by the Attingal Queen.
1810-53
Junior Rani H.H. Sri Patmanabha Sevini Vanchi Dharma Dyumani Raja
Rajeshwari Rani Gouri Parvati Bai of Attingal in Travancore
(India)1815-29 Regent of TravancoreWhen her elder sister Regent Maharani
Gowri Lakshmi Bayi died after childbirth in 1815 she was only thirteen
years of age and being the only female left in the family, besides her
deceased sister's little daughter, she became Regent Maharani
AyilyamTh irunal Rani Gouri Lakshmi bai
Uthrittathi Thirunal Rani Gouri Parvathi
on behalf of her nephew, the heir, Maharajah Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma .
She was on her accession actively counselled by her brother in law,
Raja Raja Varma of the Changanssery Royal family as well as her husband,
Raghava Varma, who belonged to the Royal family of Kilimanoor. Her
first act was to appoint a new Dewan, and she continued the reforms of
her older sister. Christians got more freedom and some of the
restrictions put on some of the lower castes were removed, she also
introduced health reforms. her mother, Princes Atham of the Travancore,
was the Senior Rani of Attingal. Her first husband was Raghava Varma of
the Kilimanoor Royal family and after his death she married his brother
After his death in 1824, she married again, but did not have any
children. She lived (1802-53).1815-? Senior Rani Gowri Rukmini Bayi of
Attingal in Travancore (India)succeeded to the title of Senior Rani of
Attingal after the death of her mother, the Queen Regent, Rani Gouri
Lakshmi Bai. Apart from her aunt, who was regent 1815-29, she only
female in the matriarchal Travancore Royal Family, she married Rama
Varma Koil Thampuran of Thiruvalla Royal Family in 1819 and had seven
children, five sons and two daughters. One of these daughters died soon
while the other married and had two sons, including Moolam Thirunal Sir
Rama Varma. In 1888 two princesses were adopted from the Mavelikara Royal family into Travancore. (b. 1809-?). History On the night of April 11, 1721 150 Britishers were done to death at the Attingal Palace near Thiruvananthapuram. What perhaps was the first major attack on the British in India though rarely mentioned in Indian history . It was a clever plot laid by Kodumon Pillai, Minister of the queen of Attingal, Umayamma Rani,
Johan Nieuhof's audience with the Queen of Quilon-umayamma rani
who
out smarted the shrewd British who had superior weapons. The Nair
Pada(nair soldiers) and the local Muslims took part in the operation and
the British met with the biggest debacle in the region. The
immediate provocation was about the building of a Fort at Anchu Thengu,
Anjengo in British records. The scheming British had entered in to a
series of maneuvers to make trade in spices their monopoly. Greed for
huge profits drove them wild, capturing the spice country itself later.
Those were the early days of the English East India Company in India,
the Dutch and the British on Indian shores were engaged in a series of
conflicts to stake control of the sea trade. Muslims,
traditionally intermediaries in spice trade, were severely affected with
the curbs in trade. Equipped with their guns and cannons, what the
local soldiers were not yet having, they became menacing. Orders of the
Rani to stop the building of the Fort were disobeyed. Initial
attacks launched by the Nair Pada(nair soldiers) was rebuffed with
severe casualties. It was after a wait that the clever trap was laid and
almost everyone in the Fort was executed. Cannons and gunfire of the
British came to naught.Attingal was the seat of the sovereign of Venad
during this period and there were only queens, Ranis, in power. Apart
from Attingal proper the principalities of Elayidam or Kottarakkara,
Perakam or Nedumangad, Thiruvithamkode or Travancore, Kollam, Kaymkulam,
Karunagappalli and Karthikappalli were all under the Attingal Rani. The sovereigns were ceremonial rulers and the actual power remained with the feudal lords titled Pillais, List of Marthandavarma characters - Wikiwand
Nairs, who kept their own armies and administration. Feuds between the Pillais used to lead to intermittent clashes at the time. This was a turning point in the history of Kerala, also India. Travancore
stood the side of the British after this episode and emerged as a major
power during the reign of King Marthanda Varma. It was Marthanda Varma,
who with the support of the British, annexed most of these
principalities later and created the unified Travancore. The others were
mostly allied with the Dutch, except the extreme north like Kolathu
Nadu, modern Kannur. Marthanda Varma was also instrumental in
neutralizing the powerful Pillais, Nayars, the story of his avenging the
‘Ettuveettil Pillamar’ is a figurative story of the event. From traders
the British soon became sovereigns in India. The famous Kalari culture
of the feudal lords, Pillais, stood liquidated during the British period
that ensued .The sequence of events that lead to the massacre were rooted primarily in the English attempts to monopolise trade.
The Dutch and the English East India Companies were active in spice
trade and both had factories on Indian soil, godowns for merchandise
initially, which later were made army barracks. The Dutch had a factory at Thenga Pattinam, now in Kanyakumari district, and the English in Vizhinjam.
The negotiations were all with the Pillais who had the authority to
deal with the traders. Due to the internecine conflicts and overtures to
monopolise trade the factory in Thenga Pattinam was destroyed by the Pillais and the factory chief was executed in the year 1684. Two
ships belonging to the Dutch were also set on fire. When complained
Attingal Rani agreed to compensate the loss, but this was not possible
as the Pillais were adamant. A request from the English that they be
permitted to build a big wall around the Vizhinjam factory was also
opposed by the Pillais. They fore saw the implications .
Kottayam Kerala Varma, the ruling king in Thiruvithamkode, adopted from
Kolathunadu in the north, was not in very good terms with these
powerful feudal lords. It was during this time that the Attingal Rani
gave permission to the English to build a factory at Anchu Thengu in the year 1694.Vanchimuttom Pillai and Kodumon Pillai were the ministers to the queen, prominent among the Council of Ministers, who advised the Rani that it will eventually prove disastrous. Accordingly the Rani asked the Company to stop building the Fort,
Anchuthengu
is an old fort, built by the English East India Company for their use.
It is situated 40 kms north of Thiruvananthapuram
this the English refused to heed. And Kodumon Pillai with the help of
the Nair Pada in Chirayinkeezh attacked the Fort. The English now
equipped with their cannons and guns retaliated and the attempt to stop
the British ended in vain.
Now, Vanchimuttom Pillai and Kodumon Pillai had a tussle going between
them and Kodumon Pillai was the favourite of the Rani. How Vanchimuttom,
it is believed, secretly helped the English in building the Fort. In
1690 the Rani passed away and the English completed building the Fort in
the very next year taking advantage of the confusion. Soon
the sea trade was under the control of the British who with their
superior arms started dictating terms, in who can trade and at what
price, also refused to pay taxes.
The queens that followed Umayamma Rani were all adopted from
Kolathunadu and they were too weak to manage the scene and the Pillais
were restive. Feuds between the two Pillais also became a matter of
concern, which gave the English a golden opportunity. The old feudal
system was having its own problems.The English now stationed comfortably
at the heavily armed Fort at Anchu Thengu
refused
to permit anyone else to trade in Attingal principality. Except the
Dutch who were very powerful at the time, though the English used to
give information about the Dutch vessels to the Muslims who had taken to
warfare and were pirates in the seas by now. The English men in the Fort went around trading at their will and started looting the local people who had no choice but obey them. Corruption
among the British officers became rampant. The local traders and common
people came to hate the English. Each one in the Fort started minting
money and one Coifing, who was in charge at the time, was discharged by the Company for misappropriation of money. Next
it was the tenure of one Gilford, who made the situation worse from
bad. Two incidents at the time became crucial. One was the purchase by
one Ignacio, an interpreter of the company, a plot of land belonging to
the Devi temple. The one who sold this had no legal rights to sell it
and the English forcibly occupied the land despite objections from the local people. Another episode was the maltreatment to some traders
who went to the Fort. A merchant Brahmin who went there was anointed
with some ritual powder by a woman, as part of a Christian ceremony, and
the insulted man injured the woman taking out his sword. Gilford coming
to know about it inflicted severe punishments on the merchants. In fact it was a plot by Gilford who wanted to take revenge on those who refused to help him in his private trade. The matter reached Kodumon Pillai who attacked the Fort with a big force, lost many lives due to gunfire and the English took refuge inside. The Nair Pada burned a ship of the Company and laid a siege on the Fort, but soon after a ship from Mumbai with soldiers arrived and they were saved. The
impasse that followed after the cold war between the two Pillais, as to
who should be accepted as the Rani in Attingal, was a matter of concern
during this period. Eventually in the year 1721 they came to a truce
and the sister of the sovereign of Kollam was accepted as queen in
Attingal. The British, who had to pay arrears, were contacted and
Gilford, facing troubles due to the opposition of the people, decided
to meet the queen and also compromise with the Pillais. He sent
emissaries to the Palace.Extensive talks were held through
intermediaries and the English agreed to pay up the tax arrears for the period they made default and make relations smooth. To settle the matters they were invited by the Pillais, Gilford and the other Englishmen did not sense the pent up anger and thought it an old story, to the Attingal Palace. Everyone in the Fort were invited for a big party. On 11 th of April almost everyone in the English factory at Anchu Thengu thus came in a procession, as discussed and agreed to. Taking the river route they reached the Palace in great ceremony. The entourage was 150 strong. As the boats landed messengers of the Pillais persuaded the English to leave their guns in the boat
as these were not permitted in the Palace. This was complied. Later the
English and the Pillais went in to marathon discussions regarding the
arrears in taxes and it was dark by then. The English had brought
the new currency of the East India Company which the Pillais refused to
accept. They demanded that the traditional Venetian currency be paid,
what was the dollar of those days, this was not available with the
English. Pillais were buying time. They wanted to meet the queen but as
it was already dark the Pillais asked the English men to stay for the
night and meet her in the morning.Casey, the second in charge of the
Fort, smelt a rat and told Gilford that it was risky to stay there at
night but Gilford was not willing to listen. As it
was getting pitch dark Gilford heard the unusual movement of people in
the Palace and was alarmed. Now sensing danger he sent a messenger to
the Fort at Anchu Thengu several kilometers away in the night itself. Soon
a huge party of the Nair Pada and the Muslims ran over the English men
and every one of the 150 odd people were killed. It was a clean
operation where the superior arms did not help. Gilford,
crafty and corrupt, to whom they had a long standing grudge, having
killed many comrades, was beheaded and the body pinned on a wooden
board, then floated in the river. The only one who escaped was the
messenger sent by Gilford at night, who reached the Fort the next day. The horrifying revenge was known only at the time. It
was mostly women and children at the Fort and the only competent gun
man left there, one Samuel, evacuated the women and children to safety
by sea. Expecting that the Nair Pada is to attack the Fort soon he
sealed the doors. He also burned the large quantity of surplus gun powder stored in the premises. As expected the attack of the Nair Pada came on April 14 .
It was more to capture the Fort and the weaponry. But they could not
enter the huge Fort walls and the cannons kept spitting fire, after
sporadic attacks repulsed by the gun men they gave up. They returned
back after setting fire to the houses in the vicinity of the Fort. On
hearing about the tragedy that befell the Englishmen the Rani send a
message expressing sorrow about what happened. Trade had become too
attractive to lose. The King of Kollam also send a similar message. Taking
advantage of the situation the King of Thiruvithamkode, Travancore,
Rama Varma, who had assumed the throne only a few days back, made swift
moves. Competition between the spice kingdoms was common,
for better trading. Originally belonging to Kolathunadu, Rama Varma,
brother Aditya Varma and his sisters were adopted in 1696. This adoption
had the support of Adams, chief of the Tellicherry factory of the British, under which the Fort at Anchu Thengue also came. After the massacre the Rani and Vanchimuttom Pillai had left to Kollam allied with the Dutch. Rama Varma saw this an opportunity and also wanted to make his sister queen of Attingal. The British interfering in selection of kings and queens was common in this era, using terms in trade as the bait, offering luxuries and various other means.In 1722 Alexander, a cousin of Adams, was appointed chief of Anchu Thengu. In
the same year two more adoptions were made from Kolathunadu, a prince
and a princess, at the behest of Adams and one of them was crowned the
prince of Travancore. Rama
Varma meanwhile gave permission to the English, by now his friends, to
build a fort at Colachel and permission to mint coins for Travancore in
1723.
He made an agreement with the English giving them monopoly for trade in
Travancore and gave permission for yet another fort in Idava in 1726. From the two nephews of Rama Varma one was the Prince of Iraniel, who was to become famous later as Marthanda Varma, and the other Prince of Neyyattinkara. In
1728 the Prince of Neyyattinkara taking the help of the Naiks of
Madurai hired a battalion of Vaduka Pada and marched on Attingal. The
British all along did not directly confront the Nair Pada but made one
to fight another. Fifteen of the leading Pillais in Attingal were
executed and the remaining surrendered. Karthika
Thirunal, a princess and his own relative, was made the queen of
Attingal.In 1729 after Rama Varma passed away the Neyyattinkara prince
and another in Karunagappalli became kings of Travancore and both died
in the same year one after other.
Prince of Iraniel, Marthanda Varma, became the king of Travancore. He helped the British to contain the Dutch presence in the region
and was instrumental in a major expansion drive. Soon Marthanda Varma
captured all the remaining Pillais of Attingal involved in the massacre
and handed them over to the English.
From a small principality that remained south of the river Karamana, Travancore, with
the help of the British got extended up to river Periyar in the north.
With the help of a Brahmin minister Ramayyan all the principalities were
subdued, many of these allied with the Dutch. The
traditional social structure with the Nair warriors in charge were razed
to the ground. Marthanda Varma raised new armies and this left the
traditional warriors jobless. Nair chieftains’ powers of tax collection
and legal duties stood removed and those who opposed were mercilessly
persecuted, even the women and children not spared. Those favourable
were promoted. The state was surrendered to the Padmanabha Swamy temple
by Marthanda Varma, under Tulu Brahmin priests, as a clever move to
neutralize revolt. But
it was an actual surrender to the British that resulted, completed by
his heir Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma who consolidated the British
connection and Travancore came under the British in 1795. After
the war with Mysore, where Tippu Sultan was defeated, Travancore was
forced to accept the sovereignty of a Company, the English East India
Company, traders became rulers.The
Travancore royalty, as also many other royal families, remained friends
of the British, the British crown taking over control from the Company
later, till India attained independence. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The
popular revolts that immediately followed this phase, by Pazhassi Raja
in the north and Velu Thambi in the south (1790 – 1810), against the
British, were contained. And those who revolted were pauperized and their powers gradually neutralised. Whether
the human sacrifice at Attingal taught the British in India a lesson or
it helped the chain of events leading to British occupation is a
question that remains unanswered. Monopoly trade,
what triggered the massacre, later took over the world and remains the
most oppressive regime controlling mankind is a valid observation.
Resource poor North exploiting the resource rich South using the game of
trade continues to operate without any hindrance. The same urge to
monopolise trade is what underlies the modern rhetoric of globalisation,
only it is now much more subtle and sophisticated. It has become far
too well entrenched, have governments as allies and it has become
difficult to question the silent war killing millions in poverty. History It
is beleived that Attingal town was built 800 years ago. During ancient
times Attingal was known to be "Chittattinkara" as it is encircled on
three sides by the rivers "Vamana puram river" and "Mamom river".
Historically, Attingal has been the residence of the women of the Venad
royal family. The Attingal Palace dates to 1305 C.E. Attingal
and the surrounding areas were a principality within the Travancore
kingdom, and were ruled by their queens. By the colonial period, trade
flourished with Portuguese and Dutch traders. In 1735, Marthanda Varma,
the king of Travancore, took Attingal. Feudal status The
mother of the Maharaja of Travancore and her sister received the
principality of Attingal in joint . They were consequently styled the
Senior and Junior Rani (the female form of Raja or Rana) of Attingal,
respectively. Their husbands, known as Koil Tampurans, came from one of
four or five princely houses who were closely related to the Royal
House. Attingal was the seat of the sovereign of Venad during this
period and there were only queens, Ranis, in power. Apart from Attingal
proper the principalities of Elayidam or Kottarakkara, Perakam or
Nedumangad, Thiruvithamkode or Travancore, Kollam, Kaymkulam,
Karunagappalli and Karthikappalli were all under the Attingal Rani. Attingal Revolution-(Attingal Mutiny) was the first ever rebellion againt the British in India. Similarly
the grant of Talassery was resented by Kurangoth Nair who claimed the
territory to be under his control. He in alliance with one of the
dissident Kolathiri princes, raided the Company's warehouse and
inflicted heavy damage to property in 1704-05. Attingal Palace The
Attingal palaces (Manomohanavilasom and Koyikkal), which are mentioned
in literature dating from 1305 A.D., and many temples are in the
Municipality. Chirayinkil, a town famous for its Sarkara Temple,
is
close by. It is also a major road junction.Until 1837 Senior Rani Gouri
Rukmani Bai of Attingal in Travancore (India)The younger daughter of
the Queen Regent Rani Gouri Lakshmi Bai (1810-15), she succeeded her
sister, Gouri Lakshmi Bai, as Senior Rani of Attingal. Two of her sons
became Maharajas, she was mother of a total of eight children, and lived
(1809-37).1837-53 Senior Rani Parvati Bai of Attingal in Travancore
(India)Also known as Chathayam Tirunal, she succeeded Gouri Rukmani Bai
as joint administrator of the principality of Attingal, which were given
as appanage to the two senior Princesses of the Travancore royal
family, which follows matrilineal inheritance, according to male
primogeniture. She was unmarried and (d. 1853). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECOND CHAPTER OF BRITISH RULE IN KERALA(TRAVANCORE)-----------------------------------------------------------------
BRITISH LOOTING OF TRAVANCORE (NOW SOUTH KERALA) 19TH CENTURY
Rama Varma (AD 1758-1795), successor of Martanda Varma signed a treaty of perpetual friendship with the British in 1795.
Dharma Raja
Karthika Thirunal Dharma Rajah
This
costly treaty was also perhaps partly responsible for the numerous
taxes on the poorer segments of the society. The administration of Rama
Varma’s successor namely Balarama Varma led to a people’s rebellion
led by Velu Thampi who eventually became the Diwan and was partly
responsible for the
‘subsidiary treaty’.
This draconian treaty (1805) not only committed to an annual payment of Rs 8 Lakhs equal to about 3 million $ mandatory but also permitted the British to interfere in the internal affairs / decisions of the administration.
For example, when Balarama Varma passed away in 1810, the British
Resident overlooked the claim of Ilaya Raja Kerala Varma, who had been
groomed to succeed Balarama Varma all
along,
and who was a confirmed anti-British, for the throne. The British not
only banished him from Travancore but also kept him as a prisoner. In
his place Rani Laxmi Bai was appointed as the queen; and the
resident(english man) assumed the office of the Diwan as well! Further
she was succeeded by Rani Parvati Bai at the age of 13. Thus the period
after 1795 was indeed a period of turmoil for Travancore.
.
THIS LOOTING by the British LED TO POVERTY IN KERALA
by Jyotsna Kamat Page Last Updated: February 15, 2013
Article on how Mahatma Gandhi's experiments with truth involved and affected women's status in the 20th century in India.
Excerpts from a lecture given at the Gandhi Peace Foundation in December 1998
Women's status at the time
When Gandhiji assumed India's leadership the average life span of an Indian woman was only twenty seven years. Babies and the pregnant women ran a high risk of dying young. Child marriage was very common and widows were in very large number. Only 2% of the women had any kind of education and women did not have an identity of their own. In North India, they practiced the purdah (veil) system. Women could not go out of the house unless accompanied by men and the face covered with cloth. The fortunate ones who could go to school had to commute in covered carts (tangas).
It is in this context that we have to recognize the miracle of Gandhi's work. Gandhiji claimed that a woman is completely equal to a man and practiced it in strict sense. Thousands and millions of women, educated and illiterate, house wives and widows, students and elderly participated in the India's freedom movement because his influence. For Gandhiji, the freedom fight was not political alone; it was also an economic and social reform of a national proportion. After a couple of decades, this equality became very natural in India. After India's freedom (in1947) and adoption of constitution (1950), emphasized equality of women, when Hindu code was formulated, the population was not even impressed. They said -"Of course, it had to be done."
Woman and Progress
Gandhiji always advocated a complete reform which he called "Sarvodaya" meaning comprehensive progress. He believed that the difference between men and women was only physical and has expressed several times in his writings that in many matters especially those of tolerance, patience, and sacrifice the Indian woman is superior to the male. You will discover this when you read his articles from "Young India" and "Harijan". During the 40 years of his political career, he only found more reasons to deepen his faith in what he wrote. He never had a specific program for women, but women had a integral role to play in all his programs. I feel that this is one of the reasons why women participated in his programs so overwhelmingly.
Gandhiji declared that there is no school better than home and there is no teacher better than parents. He said men and women are equal, but not identical. "Intellectually, mentally, and spiritually, woman is equivalent to a male and she can participate in every activity."
Indian society is a male dominated one. Gandhiji has illustrated in his autobiography (The stories of my experiments with truth) how early in his marriage he too wanted to dominate his wife. He often said that paternal society is the root cause of inequality. In his book, there is a very touching chapter about when he asked his wife to clean a public toilet and the resulting conflict between him and his wife. He has written how ashamed he was of himself, and how he took care not to hurt her anymore for the rest of his life. Even though there was big gap between him and his wife intellectually, it did not affect their family life. He has said that Kasturba followed her husband more than was expected of her. Gandhiji followed Bramacharya (strict discipline of food, drinks, and of celibacy) from a very young age, but when his wife passed away, Gandhi grieved that without Ba, his life would have been meaningless. That was the bondage of his 62 years of marriage.
Woman and Social Service
Gandhiji struggled very hard to understand a woman's physical and mental pain. From a young age he introduced his wife and children to social sacrifice and service. He believed that service has to be performed for self-fulfillment, not for public consumption or exhibition. He believed that the publicity given to one's social service actually decrements the value of the service. He tried very hard to eliminate job indignity and bias based on caste system. He tried to do the work of a barber, dhobi (washer man), and janitor to understand them and demonstrate that the work one does has no impact on one's status in the society. For me, the fact that he contributed a great deal in raising his children is very modern concept. On one occasion the white midwife would not show up for his wife's delivery and Gandhiji himself delivered his child. He helped wife with feeding, bathing, and toiletries of the infant. In western countries these days men are encouraged to be with their wives during the delivery and the men are supposed to pitch in with diaper changing, etc. Gandhiji practiced this very modern concept 90 years ago in his own family.
Role of Women
"Womanhood is not restricted to the kitchen", he opined and felt that "Only when the woman is liberated from the slavery of the kitchen, that her true spirit may be discovered". It does not mean that women should not cook, but only that household responsibilities be shared among men, women and children. He wanted women to outgrow the traditional responsibilities and participate in the affairs of nation. He criticized Indian's passion for male progeny. He said that as long as we don't consider girls as natural as our boys our nation will be in a dark eclipse.
Child Widows
Gandhiji was especially considerate of the young widows. In the last 80 years, as a nation, if we have made any progress on the matter of child widows (girls used get married very early and after untimely deaths of their husbands, they were condemned to a life of great agony, shaving heads, living in isolation, and shunned by the society.) it is due to the reformers like Gandhiji and his contemporaries. Gandhiji once noted during his legendary travels across India that he never came across 13 year old who was not married. He declared the marriages in which the girls were not consulted were unholy. At that time in Madras presidency, the number of child widows were alarmingly large. He called upon the young to marry the widows and also to boycott child marriages. (It may be noted here that Gandhiji himself married when very young; he was thirteen.) The history of India knows of many such young men who married widows and went on to work as social reformers.
Temple women and Prostitutes
Gandhiji was very disturbed by the plight of this low caste untouchable section of the society, namely theDevadasis. (see also: The Temple Women) He was hurt by the miserable way the children of brothels were treated. He had made elaborate plans for their rehabilitation. He declared that protecting women's honor was important and as holy as protecting cows. His book "Women and Social Injustice" contains discussions of very deep thoughts and solutions on the topic. He felt that after India became free, the system of temple women and brothels must be abolished. Even though on paper we have abolished the system of Devadasis, rampant exploitation of women as sex servants has continued. There was no way Gandhiji could have predicted modern ways and means of prostitution (call girls, phone sex etc) but he certainly identified its social evil and tried to fight it.
Gandhiji's contribution for betterment of women in India
As we look back at the Indian history and compare the conditions of women before Gandhi's rise, and now, the progress we have made is quite enormous. A whole generation of women leaders came up influenced by Gandhi's vision. If today in India so many women can go to work in offices, educational institutions, and factories without fear or hesitation, the roots for such system were laid 90 years ago by Gandhiji and his followers.
As mentioned earlier, Gandhiji formulated India's freedom struggle as a comprehensive plan for women's development. Even though a lot of inequalities remain in our society, there is a fundamental agreement that men and women are equal. As Indians, we can be very proud that the same cannot be claimed even by so called "advanced nations". In Britain as well as in the U.S.A., women could not vote 75 years ago. But women's voting came very naturally to us from the beginning. About 100 years ago, the western woman could not own property, get a divorce or take the custody of her children. We just have to look at the life and struggles of Dr. Annie Besant to understand the status of western women during Gandhiji's time. The western women had to take to streets, overcome many stereotypes to establish themselves voting and other rights. But for us, political, economic and voting rights came so naturally through the constitution!
Legacy
Today, if Gandhi's agenda has fallen apart, it is due to Indian politics. The continued exploitation of women can be attributed to the degradation in moral values of the society, and utter poverty of our nation. We ignored the role of social service, job dignity, and self reliance. Once in a while we run into true volunteers (like Sushilamma - see visit to an ashram) who believe in Gandhiji's ideals and have implemented his programs. I hope that at least a few of the younger generation take up Gandhiji's unfinished manifesto and work to eliminate social barriers facing women.
Veera Mangai Velunachiyar was one of
the queens in the 18th century in South India. She rebelled against the
British Empire and fought for the freedom of India. She was born in
1730 AD to the Mannar Sellamuthu Sethupathy and to Rani Sakandhimuthal
of Ramnad Kingdom. She was the only daughter of this Royal family. The
Royal couple had no male heir. The royal family brought up the
Princess, Velunachiyar, like Prince of Ramnad due to this reason. She
was trained in the skills of using weapons and also in martial arts like
Valari, stick fighting etc. She learnt horse riding and archery
earlier. The Royal couple had engaged teachers to teach her many
languages like French, English and Urdu. Thus this young brave Princess
had excellent training in all war techniques. She was a scholar in many
languages and was ready to rule the Ramnad Kingdom . She married
Sivagangai Mannar Muthuvaduganathar at the age of sixteen. In the year
1772 , the English invaded her kingdom . Velu Nachiyar heard that her
husband Raja Muthu Vaduganathar and her daughter young Princess Gowri
Nachiyar were killed in Kalaiyar Koil war. This war was held in Kalaiyar
Koil palace. British troops attacked the palace under the command of
Lt.Col. Bon Jour . She was very much worried and wanted to take revenge.
Dalavay Thandavaraya Pillai and Maruthu brothers sustained injuries.
They promised to recapture the samasthan to punish the English. Dalavay
Thandavaraya Pillai, an incredible and distinguished person was the most
powerful administer in Sivagangai samsthanam. Thandavaraya Pillai, the
loyalist served (1700-1773) as Palavay and also as Pirathani under the
three rulers of Sivagangai samsthanam. He was responsible for the
development of Sivagangai samsthanam . At first he served the King
Sasivarna Periya Udaiya Thevar during 1730-1750. Later he served under
Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar, the King during 1750-1772 . He also served as
*Pirathani to the queen Rani Velu Nachiyar.Here Dalavay means military
chief and the Pirathani means chief minister. Pirathani was responsible
for the improvement of Foreign affairs. Thus the two charges were the
most important and also powerful . (Thandavaraya Pillai was the son of
Kathavaraya Pillai who was an accountant and also as Karvar,
(administer) in this samsthan.He rendered his service with loyalty from
the beginning of this samsthanam. He administered well and helped in the
development. The King Udaiya Thevar was very much pleased because of
his good administration and granted him his hereditary management. It
shows the significance of loyalty of Dalavay Thandavaraya Pillai. He
advised Veera Mangal Velunachiar to move to different places often in
order to avoid British invaders . Meanwhile Dalavay Thandavarayan Pillai
wrote a letter to Sultan Hyder Ali on behalf of Velu Nachiyar to
provide 5000 infantry and 5000 cavalry to defeat the British army. But
unfortunately he passed away due to old age. She decided to meet Hyder
Ali after the demise of Dalavay Thandavarayan Pillai at Mysore with
the help of his son. She could explain in detail in Urdu all her
problems with East India Company. She explained him her strong
opposition of British regime. Hyder Ali was very much pleased and
promised to help her in this conflict… He accepted her request with
sympathy and provided the necessary military assistance. He orderd Syed
Karki of Dindigul fort gladar to provide the required military
equipments to Rani Velu Nachiyar. He released 5000 infantry and 5000
cavalry to Rani Velu Nachiyar immediately. Her troops advanced to
Sivaganga with the help provided by Maruthu brothers. The Nawab of Arcot
put so many hindrances to avoid the advancement of Rani Velu Nachiyar’s
combined troops. The queen and Maruthu brothers overcame all hurdles.
They geared up the troops and entered Sivaganga. She defeated the Nawab
of Arcot and took him as a captivator. She re-captured her Sivaganga
samsthan with the help of Hyder Ali and crowned as queen of the
Sivagangai seemai. Velu Nachiyar is only the first queen who raised the
revolt against the British emperor. According to historians.
Prof.Sanjeevi mentioned in his ‘ Maruthiruvar’ book that ‘ the bravery
queen Velu Nachiyar raised revolt against English emperor and fought for
the freedom of India 85 years before Jhansi Rani’s freedom struggle in
North . Venkatam further stated that Velu Nachiyar is India’s Joan of
Arc.
[by sivashanmugam.referred books: The
Madura country a manual..J.H.Nelson. The Sivaganga
Zamindary..K.Annaswamy Aiyer.Maruthiruvar..Prof.Sanjeevi.Viduthalai
porin vidi velligal… M.Balakrishnan..]
Kuyili was a follower of Rani Velu Nachiar, the 18th century queen
of Sivaganga. After her husband Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar was
killed in a battle in 1780, Velu Nachiyar fought the British with help
from Gopala Nayaker and Hyder Ali and won the battle. Her army commander
Kuyili doused herself with oil, set herself ablaze and walked into a
British storehouse of ammunition.
was released in 2008, the state will construct a memorial for Kuyili on
the premises of the memorial being constructed for Velu Nachiar in
Sivaganga.
The CM said a memorial would be constructed for
philanthropist and educationist Swami Sagajananda of Chidambaram, who
had worked for the welfare of the poor. She said the memorial for Dr BR
Ambedkar on Greenways road in Mandaveli would also be renovated.
Velu Nachiyar
Rani
Velu Nachiyar was an 18th century Indian Queen from Sivaganga. Rani
Velu Nachiyar is the first Queen of Tamil Origin to fight against the
British in India.
Indian Stamps-Rani Velu Nachchiyar-By India Post
Rani Velu Nachiar and her daughter Vellachi Nachiar lived under the
protection of Hyder Ali at Virupakshi near Dindigul. Frustrated by the
joining of forces against him, the Nawab ordered that Velu Nachiar and
Marudhu Brothers were permitted to return to Sivaganga and rule the
country subject to payment of Kist to the Nawab. Abiding by this Order,
Rani Velu Nachiar accompanied by Marudu brothers and Vellachi Nachiar
entered Sivaganga. An agreement was reached where by Rani Velu Nachiar
was permitted to govern the Sivaganga Country and Chinna Marudu, the
younger was appointed her minister and the elder Vellai Marudu as the
Commander-in-chief. Thus the widow Queen Velu Nachiar succeeded her
husband in 1780.
Date Of Issue:-31.12.2008.
Rani Velu Nachiyar (Tamil: இராணி வேலு நாச்சியார்) was an 18th century Indian Queen from Sivaganga. Rani Velu Nachiyar is the first Queen of Tamil Origin to fight against the British in India.[1]
Her life
She was the princess of Ramanathapuram and the daughter of
Chellamuthu Sethupathy. She married the king of Siva Gangai and they had
a daughter - Vellachi Nachiar. When her husband Muthuvaduganathaperiya
udaiyathevar was killed, she was drawn into battle. Her husband and his
second wife were killed by a few British soldiers and the son of the
Nawab of Arcot. She escaped with her daughter, lived under the
protection of Hyder Ali at Virupachi near Dindigul for eight years.[2]
During this period she formed an army and sought an alliance with
Gopala Nayaker and Hyder Ali with the aim of attacking the British. In
1780 Rani Velu Nachiyar fought the British with military assistance from
Gopala Nayaker and Hyder Ali and won the battle. When Velu Nachiyar
finds the place where the British stock their ammunition, she builds the
first human bomb. A faithful follower, Kuyili douses herself in oil,
lights herself and walks into the storehouse.[3]
Rani Velu Nachiyar formed a woman's army named “udaiyaal” in honour of
her adopted daughter — Udaiyaal, who died detonating a British arsenal.
Nachiar was one of the few rulers who regained her kingdom and ruled it
for 10 more years.[4]
Velu Nachiyar is the first queen who fought for the freedom against British in India and succeeded.
The Queen Velu Nachiar granted powers to Marudu brothers
to administer the country in 1780. Velu Nachiar died a few years later,
but the exact date of her death is not known (it was about 1790). Marudu brothers
are the sons of Udayar Servai alias Mookiah Palaniappan Servai and
Anandayer alias Ponnathal. They are native of Kongulu street of Ramnad.
They belonged neither to the family of the ancient poligars nor to their
division of the caste.[5]
On 31-December-2008, a commemorative postage stamp on her was released
Kuyili was an army commander of queen Velu Nachiyar and revolutionary against the British East India Company in the 18th century. She is considered the first suicide bomber in history.[1][2][3][4][5]
She belonged to the Tamil ethnic group .[6]
Kuyili was born in the 18th century at Kudanchavadi, near Sivagangai district. Kuyili was daughter of farmers Periyamuthan and Raku.[7]
Death
Kuyili is known for her suicide attack in 1780. While attacking a fort of East India Company, she applied ghee on her body, set herself ablaze and jumped into the armoury of the British, securing victory for Velu Nachiyar.[8][9][10][11][12][13]
A photo- tribute to women freedom fighters from Tamil Nadu revealed
remarkable tales of valour
PHOTO: SPL ARRANGEMENT
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER Women displayed exemplary courage during the
freedom movement
S.N. Sundarambal of Tirupur was pregnant when she was arrested
for taking part in Individual Satyagraha in the early 1940s. Ammapon
alias Leelavathi was 11 years old when she took part in Neil statue
Satyagraha in 1927. She was later arrested and kept in a children's
home. Saraswathi Pandurangan lost her two-year-old daughter and son of
19 months while she was in prison for taking part in the Quit India
Movement, Civil Disobedience movement, Salt Satyagraha and Individual
Satyagraha. The list of ordinary women who pitched in their support for
the freedom struggle is long, but regrettably, is little known.
These women freedom fighters from Tamilnadu took centre stage in the
photo exhibition ogranised by the Mahatma Gandhi Study Centre of
Kumaraguru College of technology and Mahatma Gandhi museum of the
Mahalingam Mariammal Manivizha charitable trust as part of Coimbatore
Vizha.
That Velu Nachiyar of Sivaganga battled bravely against the British
forces after the death of her husband and that Rani Lakshmi Bai took on
many a battle with her son strapped to her back is well-known. But how
many of us know that Pappammal from Karur took active part in Individual
Satyagraha? C. S. Ramakrishnan from Mahatma Gandhi Study Centre said,
"According to the book ‘Kongu naattil Indhiya sudhandhira porattam', the
Coimbatore region alone had about 21 women taking part in the freedom
struggle." The exhibition had photographs along with short descriptions
on the lives of women such as Akilandammal, Engammal, S. Kamalam and
Alamelu Mangai who were imprisoned for opposing the British rule.
For a lot of these women, stepping out of their homes to fight for a
cause required monumental effort and grit. Kaliammal, for example was
from an oppressed section of the society. Inspired by Kasturba Gandhi,
she came forward to fight for the cause of her people.
Madurai-born Sornathammal, is yet another unsung heroine. Along with
Lakshmi Bai Ammal, she organised a women's march in 1943, raising the
quit India slogan. The women were arrested by the police, beaten and
humiliated. It was only after midnight that they were cast off near
Alagarkoil. Undaunted, they continued their fight for freedom.
Photographs of D.K. Pattammal, M.S. Subbulakshmi and M.R. Kamalaveni,
who used music to instigate nationalistic fervour, were displayed. In
fact, Kamalaveni was jailed with a one-year-old infant.
Other women freedom fighters from the South included Dr. Lakshmi
Swaminathan who was the commandant of Rani Lakshmibai's regiment, S.
Manjubashini who was in charge of prayer and food when Gandhiji visited
Chennai in 1946, Vijayalakshmi who provided shelter for freedom
fighters, Kannavaram Ammaiyar who worked for the welfare of Harijan
children in Sivaganga and Sakuntala who entered the freedom struggle as a
college student.
========================== MORE PHOTOS OF RANI KI JHANSI REGIMENT (WOMEN'S REGIMENT)UNDER SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE'S INDIAN NATIONAL ARMY AT SINGAPORE;MALAYA(MALAYSIA) BURMA (MYANMAR) 1943-1945
With the British in a weekend state of war, idealistic young women from Malaya's rubber plantation joined ...
SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE-THE ENIGMA -
Rani
of Jhansi Regiment's march to the battle front
- Capt. L.C. Malik recounts his time
spent in the INA
Captain Lakshmi Sehgal-THEN AND 2012 leader of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. She was the Captain of INA during her imprisonment in Burma. She mostly helped the injured troops during the war by forming a medical clinic Puan Sri Janaky Athi Nahappan founder of the Malaysian Indian Congress, was one of the first women to take part in the INA's Rani of Jhansi Regiment.
I
was a junior officer in the administrative branch of Headquarters
Supreme Command of the Azad Hind Fauj at Singapore when I
was selected as one of the three officers to escort a detachment
of Rani Jhansi Regiment from Singapore to the battlefront
in North Burma. It was a hazardous journey across three countries, Malaya,
Thailand and Burma. Chances of bombardment from the air, due
to the air supremacy of the British were high. The journey, ardous and under trying conditions, took 40
days with the train (goods wagons) moving at snails speed
at night with complete halts during the day. During the halts utmost care was taken to camouflage the
wagons as a precaution against air raids. The wagons would
be dispersed and positioned at a distance from each other. What was most remarkable and praiseworthy was the zeal and
spirit of sacrifice of the girls. Though thousands of miles
away from their home and hearth, kith and kin and facing an
uncertain future fraught with risks, their enthusiasm did
not wane. Their voice had thunder and when in unison they shouted"
Netaji Zindabad", the thunder resounded miles away. No less was the enthusiastiac participation of the local
population of Indian origin who thronged the various halting
places in hundreds to congratulate and encourge the girls
going to the battle front, fighting for the freedom of their
Motherland. We were all through carrying a wagon load of food,
fruit and other gifts given so lovingly by the local Indian
populace. Before moving to the actual battlefront, we came to be stationed
at a place called Mamyo in central Burma about 60-70 miles
in rear to the fighting lines. I, in the advance headquarters of the supreme command of
the Azad Hind Fauj and the detachment of Rani Jhansi Regiment
in hutments close by.
The
Imphal retreat
No
battleground ever tested the INA steel more than Imphal of
1944. Forced against their will to retreat, the men braved
worsening weather, disease and starvation to try and stay
alive for the battle they hoped would win freedom for their
homeland. The fields of Kohima, especially stands witness to the bravery
of these men, who even as they lay dying, had Jai Hind on
their lips.
The retreat from Kohima was perhaps one of the most difficult
retreats that any army in the world had made. Heavy rain had
washed away all tracks. The kutcha tracks had become
muddy, in which many of the men got stuck and died. At that time there was no transport of any kind. Almost every
man was suffering from dysentery or malaria. No one had any
strength left in him to help anyone else. In that retreat,
men ate horses which had been dead for four days. There were
hundreds of bodies of soldiers who had died of exhaustion,
starvation or disease, and some who faced with the prospect
of falling into the hands of the British, had taken their
own lives. Amid all these miseries, the fortitude and the courage of
the men lent an epic character to the tragedy. A former INA
soldier recalls the incident of a man who, as he lay dying
in his brother's arm, bid his brother to carry his message
to Netaji that he died without yielding in spirit. Another soldier who survived the cross, also recalls an incident
when a Garhwali soldier who was no longer able to walk, broke
down in tears. To lighten the weight of his haversack, when
his ammunition was thrown away and "as a final insult"
his gun was taken from him, his commander, a burly Sikh shouted:
"This man would have died with his rifle in his hand
and not as like a rat you have now turned him into. Who ordered
this retreat." For the survivors and many others who followed the history
of the war, the experiences of the retreat range from dealing
with death in the midst of indescribable suffering to coming
face-to-face with awe-inspiring sacrifice and nobility of
spirit. There is a war report which helps to summarize the events
and the spirit which guided them, most befittingly. "A
man was seen crouching on the ground in the posture of one
trying to defecate, with his body supported by a tree trunk.
When he continued to stay like that, other approached him
to find that he was already dead - victim of a type of dysentery.
The soldier was a well-known Punjabi businessman, Khanna,
who had donated his entire property and business worth several
lakhs of rupees to the Azad Hind fund. After having donated
everything, he joined the Subhas Brigade, his young wife volunteered
for the Rani Jhansi Brigade and their son joined Netaji's
Bal Sena." This was a family, like many others, which had responded
when Netaji asked for their blood.
Legion Freies Indien known commonly as Azad Hind Fauj, the stepping stone of the INA. It was originally formed alongwith the German army, and attacked the British army through Baluchistan in 1941. Subhas Chandra Bose was its co-founder. The force was also active in Europe, particularly in Netherlands and France. When the Third Reich surrendered in 1945, the troops were captured in Switzerland, and were sent back to India and were imposed charges of treason.
1000 Indian Rupees of Indian National Army
Statue of Netaji at INA complex in Moirang
INA complex at Moirang
Netaji and Col. Saukat Hayat
Malik remembered on INA's 69th
flag hoisting day...
Plaque at INA complex
Netaji and Col. Saukat Hayat
Malik remembered on INA's 69th
flag hoisting day...
Recently, U.K.’s National Army Museum conducted a poll
on Britain’s greatest battle fought over the last 400 years. Waterloo,
Aliwal, D-Day/Normandy, Rorke’s Drift and the twin battles of Imphal and
Kohima were selected as the top five battles but in the last round, it
threw up a name that came as a surprise to many. It voted outright
Britain’s twin battles against Japan-INA (Indian National Army) fought
in Kohima and Imphal in India during the Second World War as the
greatest ever.
It is interesting news considering
most Indians are themselves not aware of one of the bloodiest battles of
World War II fought on their soil, which if Japan had succeeded in
winning, would have changed the fate of the Allied forces and may be
Indian history. During my reportage in the North East, I came across
some of the eyewitnesses of this battle. One of the affected villages
was Maibam Lotpaching, just outside Imphal. I cannot exactly recollect
the year but when I met Taoram Gourmohan Singh he was 74. He couldn’t
remember the exact date but he recalled the time. It was a little past
midnight when hundreds of Japanese soldiers arrived on foot. Gourmohan
had gone into hiding when the entire village was evacuated and trenches
were dug along his courtyard. The same courtyard where I met him.
He
was a young boy when the Japanese army fell upon the main Allied
advance base in Imphal. That was April 1944. The war was right at his
doorstep — on the Red Hill where the British forces clashed with the
advancing Japanese army.
“I was 12 then… there were
about 300 Japanese soldiers on the hill … they reached at midnight on
May 20 … they first fought in Moreh but couldn’t come to Imphal … so
they took this route,” he said. Gourmohan Singh’s story came to me in
bits and pieces. Age had blurred his memory but he recounted carrying
water for some of the Japanese soldiers. Also, carefully tucked away in a
loft in his outhouse was war memorabilia, rusted, but held very dear.
“I love these articles. Japan had come for India’s independence, was
fighting against the British, so I keep them with me. I treasure them,”
he told me. He laid them out for me in the courtyard. Bullet shells,
helmets and water flasks.
It’s believed that Imphal
was as bad for the Japanese as Flanders was for the Germans in WWI, for
there on the bloody plain, 50,000 of the best of the Japanese army were
killed. It was from the Red Hill — its supply lines cut off by a heavy
monsoon — that the INA began its retreat just 10 kms short of Imphal,
whose capture could have altered the course of Indian history. At least
that is the claim many historians make today though there are doubts on
how they might have been used by the Japanese except for generating
rebellion among the Indians behind the British lines.
But
the defeat of Red Hill didn’t send back the Japanese. They came close
to the railhead in Assam after they took over Kohima. Without the bases
in Assam they wouldn’t have been able to access a northern Burma supply
route.
An eyewitness to this war in Kohima, Kuosa
Kere, could still speak a smattering of Japanese when I met him. It was
at Kigwema village near Kohima where General Saito, the famed Japanese
commander, had stationed himself during the decisive siege of the hill
town in World War II. From here, the Japanese opened attack and timed
the assault at exactly 4 p.m. on ‘4.04.44’ (April 4, 1944). It lasted
for two months. “It was a long war, we were warned by the Brits and were
very apprehensive about the Japanese, but they were friendly. They
lived with the families, paid for everything and unlike the British,
they had no relationships with local women. They never misbehaved.
General Saito was a very nice man. For us teenagers, the war was an
adventure,” recalled Kuose Kere.
It was in June when
the dangerous Japanese advance into the plains of India was finally
halted by the British and the Indian forces. But what went down in
history as Britain’s fiercest battles of World War II was fought on a
tennis court adjoining the Deputy Commissioner’s bungalow in Kohima. As
many as 1200 Indian and British soldiers who died fighting the Japanese
have been laid to rest there with the famous lines engraved on a
tombstone: “When you go home tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow,
we gave our today.”
The tennis court battle was also
called the Battle under the Cherry Tree. The cherry tree was a Japanese
sniper post. The tree is no more but a branch of the historic tree has
taken its place.
Reminiscing about the battle, once a
war veteran standing in the middle of the Kohima War Cemetery, told me:
“After several months, it was virtually over. We were repatriated home;
we were on our way to Bombay when the atom bomb was dropped. It was all
over. We don’t want it but we do need it sometimes … look at this. It’s
the sad part, but anyway we came out victorious.” Tears rolled down his
wrinkled cheeks.
Then there was Lily, a war-time
nurse. Sitting on a tombstone, she broke down: “Sixty years ago, I was a
nurse at the army-combined hospitals. So many young people had died,
too many lives wasted, they died in my arms. And we still have wars.”
Fought
between March 7 and July 18, 1944, the Battles of Imphal and Kohima
came back to hit the headlines recently. And also to remind the
eyewitnesses the times that were.
(The author’s book “Che in Paona Bazaar: Tales of Exile and Belonging
from India’s North-East” (Pan Macmillan India) has a section with a
detailed account of this little-known battle.)
Pritilata Waddedar (5 May 1911 – 23 September 1932)was a Bengali revolutionary nationalist.
After completing her education in Chittagong, she attended the Bethune
College in Calcutta. Pritilata graduated in Philosophy with distinction. After a brief stint as a school teacher, Pritilata joined a revolutionary group headed by Surya Sen. She led a 15 man team of revolutionariesin a 1932 attack on the Pahartali European Club,[5][6] which had a sign board that read "Dogs and Indians not allowed".
The revolutionaries torched the club and were later caught by the
British police. To avoid getting arrested, Pritilata consumed cyanide
and died.
Matriculation examination certificate of Pritilata
Early life
Pritilata was born to a middle-class family on 5 May 1911 in Dhalghat village in Patiya upazila of Chittagong (now in Bangladesh).
Her parents were Jagabandhu Waddedar (father) and Pratibhamayi Devi
(mother). Jagabandhu was a clerk in the Chittagong Municipality. Her mother Pratibhamayi Devi was a housewife. The couple had six children– Madhusduan, Pritilata, Kanaklata, Shantilata, Ashalata and Santosh. Pritilata was nicknamed Rani.Waddedar was a title conferred to an ancestor of the family who originally had the surname Dasgupta. Jagabandhu tried to arrange best possible education for their children. He got Pritilata admitted in Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' School of Chittagong. Pritilata was a meritorious student. A teacher in the school, whom students affectionately used called Usha Di, used stories of Rani Lakshmibai to inspire nationalism in her students. Kalpana Datta, a classmate of Pritilata, writes in the biography Chittagong Armoury raiders–
"We had no clear idea in our school days about our future. Then the
Rani of Jhansi fired our imagination with her example. Sometimes we used
to think of ourselves as fearless...".Arts and literature were Pritilata's favourite subjects. She passed out of Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' School in 1928 and in 1929, got admitted to the Eden College, Dhaka.
In the Intermediate examinations, she stood first among all students
who appeared in that year's examination from the Dhaka Board. As a student in Eden College, she participated in various social activities. She joined the group Sree Sangha, headed by Leela Nag, under the banner Dipali Sangha.
In Calcutta
To pursue higher education, Pritilata went to Calcutta (now Kolkata) and got admitted to the Bethune College. Two years later, she graduated in Philosophy from the college with a distinction. However, her degree was withheld by British authorities at Calcutta University. In 2012, she (and Bina Das) were conferred their certificates of merit posthumously.
As a school teacher
After completing her education in Calcutta, Pritilata returned to
Chittagong. In Chittagong, she took up the job of a school teacher at a
local English medium secondary school called Nandankanan Aparnacharan
School. She was appointed as the first Headmistress of the school.
Revolutionary activities
Joining Surya Sen's revolutionary group
"Pritilata was young and courageous. She would work with a lot of zeal and was determined to drive the British away."
Binod Bihari Chowdhury, a contemporary revolutionary[18]
Pritilata decided to join the Indian freedom movement. Surya Sen had
heard about her and wanted her to join their revolutionary group. On 13 June 1932, Pritilata met Surya Sen and Nirmal Sen in their Dhalghat camp.
A contemporary revolutionary, Binod Bihari Chowdhury, objected that
they did not allow women to join their group. However, Pritalata was
allowed to join the group because the revolutionaries reasoned that
women transporting weapons would not attract as much suspicion as men.
Inspiration from Ramkrishna Biswas
Surya Sen and his revolutionary group decided to kill Mr. Craig,
Inspector General of Chittagong. Ramakrishna Biswas and Kalipada
Chakravarty were assigned for this task. But they mistakenly killed SP
of Chandpur and Traini Mukherjee instead of Craig. Ramakrishna Biswas
and Kalipada Chakravarty were arrested on 2 December 1931. After the trial Biswas was ordered to be hanged till death and Chakravarty to be exiled to Cellular Jail. The family and friends lacked the amount of money required to travel
to Chittagong to Alipore Jail of Calcutta. Since at that time Pritilata
was staying in Kolkata, she was asked to go to Alipore Jail and meet Ramkrishna Biswas.
Activities in Surya Sen's group
Along with the revolutionary group of Surya Sen, Pritilata took part
in many raids like attacks on the Telephone & Telegraph offices
and the capture of the reserve police line. In the Jalalabad battle,
she took the responsibility to supply explosives to the revolutionaries.
Pahartali European Club attack (1932)
Pahartali European Club (current image), which was torched by the group of revolutionaries
In 1932, Surya Sen planned to attack the Pahartali European Club which had a signboard that read "Dogs and Indians not allowed".
Surya Sen decided to appoint a woman leader for this mission. Kapana
Datta was arrested seven days before the event. Because of this,
Pritilata was assigned the leadership of the attack. Pritilata went to
Kotowali Sea Side for arms training and made the plan of their attack
there. They decided to attack the club on 23 September 1932. The members of the group were given potassium cyanide and were told to swallow it if they were caught. On the day of the attack, Pritilata dressed herself as a Punjabi male. Her associates Kalishankar Dey, Bireshwar Roy, Prafulla Das, Shanti Chakraborty wore dhoti and shirt. Mahendra Chowdhury, Sushil Dey and Panna Sen wore lungi and shirt. They reached the club at around 10:45 PM and attacked the club. There
were around 40 people inside the club then. The revolutionaries divided
themselves into three separate groups for the attack. In the club, a
few police officers who had revolvers started shooting. Pritilata
incurred a single bullet wound. According to the police report, in this
attack, one woman with a surname of Sullivan died and four men and seven
women were injured.
Death
In this place Pritilata committed suicide. Now there is a plaque there in her memory
An injured Pritilata was trapped by the British police. In order to avoid arrest, she swallowed cyanide and committed suicide.
On the next day police found her body and identified her. On searching
her dead body police found a few leaflets, photograph of Ramkrishna
Biswas, bullets, whistle and the draft of their plan of attack. After
the post-mortem it was found that the bullet injury was not very serious and cyanide was the reason of her death. The chief secretary of Bengal sent a report to British authorities in London. In the report it was written–
Pritilata had been closely associated with, if not actually the
mistress of, the terrorist Biswas who was hanged for the murder of
Inspector Tarini Mukherjee, and some reports indicate that she was the
wife of Nirmal Sen who was killed while attempting to evade arrest of
Dhalghat, where Captain Cameron fell.
Influence
A bust of Waddedar Pritilata Waddedar primary school, Chittagong
Bangladeshi writer Selina Hossain calls Pritilata an ideal for every woman. A trust named Birkannya Pritilata Trust (Brave lady Pritilata Trust)
has been founded in her memory. Pritilata's birthday is celebrated by
the trust in different places of Bangladesh and India every year. The
trust considers her to be "a beacon of light for women".
The last end of Sahid Abdus Sabur Road to Mukunda Ram Hat of Boalkhali
upazila in Chittagong has been named as Pritilata Waddedar Road.
In 2012, a bronze sculpture of Pritilata Waddedar and Suya Sen has been
planned to be installed in front of Pahartali Railway School, adjacent
to the historical European Club.
Beena Das (Bhowmick) (1911-1986)
Well-known in the history of Indian freedom fighting for daring
attack on English Governor and University Chancellor Stanley Jackson,
who was a symbol of a long and oppressive English colonial rule in
India. The incident took place during the 1932 convocation of Calcutta
University. Although she was unsuccessful, her act inspired many a young
mind of those days. Beena Bhowmick’s father was Benee Madhab Das, the
well-known educator of the Ravenshaw Collegiate School of Cuttack,
Orissa. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, another famous freedom fighter also
studied in that school. Bhowmick was acquainted with Bose.
Bhowmick initially studied in the Bethune College in Kolkata, but
later migrated to Diocesan College in order to ensure that her
revolutionary activities remain unhindered. She passed the BA with
honors in English, her daring attempt occurred during her own
convocation ceremony. For this she was given 9 years of imprisonment
with labor.
After her release in 1939, she joined the “Jugantar” revolutionary
club. She was again imprisoned in 1942 for three years while she was the
Secretary of Calcutta Congress Committee. In 1947 she married Jatish
Bhowmick, a freedom fighter and a fellow member of Jugantar.
A true revolutionary spirit, her activities did not end with the
Indian Independence in 1947. She aided Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman during his
declaration of revolution in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) against a
brutal and oppressive West Pakistan administration. This incident
eventually precipitated into the full-scale Bangladesh war. Again in
1975 Mrs. Bhowmick spoke out against the Declaration of Emergency and
suppression of personal rights by the then Indian Prime Minister Indira
Gandhi. She personally witnessed and strongly protested against the
police brutality on the refugees in Marichjh(n)api. A good writer, she
penned two books, the autobiography “Shrinkhal Jhankar” and “Pitredhan”.
In a characteristic show of idealistic strength, she didn’t accept
the “Freedom Fighters’ Pension” offered by the Government of India.
After the death of her husband, she decided to live by herself in the
Rishikesh (Himalaya), where she died within a month in a lonely
condition. 12.Kanaklatha Baruah (1924-1942)
Indian National Congress in Mumbai on August 9,1942, resolved to ‘Do
or die’ for Independence of the country and began agitation with ‘Quit
India’ slogan against the British regime. Young and old, men and women,
boys and girls, all fearlessly and wholeheartedly joined the movement.
Among them was Kanaklatha Baruah.
She got an opportunity to fulfill her dream of serving the country.
As soon as the ‘Quit India’ movement began the British rulers started
arresting Congress leaders. Under the leadership of revolutionary Jyoti
Prasad Agarwala, in the district of Darrang a resolution was adopted
unanimously to hoist National flag at the court and police station, as
they were the marks of British Empire. Being aware of women’s
participation in the nation’s freedom struggle, Kanaklatha enrolled
herself in the suicide squad. The day for peaceful and non-violent
action was decided as September 20.
According to the programme, freedom fighters with National flag had
to capture local police station. Four thousands people from Kalabari
side and an equal number from Barangabari moved towards Gohpur police
station. In the front line was Kanaklatha Baruah holding a National flag
in her hands. She requested the officer in charge of the police station
to allow her to hoist the flag at the western gate peacefully. The
officer in charge ignored her request and threatened to shoot her, if
she dared to proceed further. Firebrand Kanaklatha marched ahead and had
to face the bullets of the strong police force. She laid down her life
for the freedom of the country. Another instance of similar martyrdom
was from the district of Nagaon. Berhampur in the district was also on
fire of Quit India movement. 13.Nellie Sengupta (Gray)(1886-1973)
Nellie Sengupta was among the English Women who came to India to
dedicate her life for its people. Though an outsider she proved herself
as a true Indian patriot.
She was born on 12 January 1886 as the daughter of Frederick William
Gray and Edith Henrietta Gray. While studying in England, she met
Jatindra Mohan Sengupta an Indian patriot. They fell in love and were
married. After her marriage, she adopted her husband’s country as her
own and associated sincerely with her husband’s work to letterate India
from the bondage of British imperialism. Nellie abandoned the land of
her birth and fought against the colonial rulers of her motherland for
the sake of of her husband. She was a dedicated life partner who
whole-heartedly sided with her brave husband on all occasions during
their hours of happiness and sorrow. There was doubt among her in-laws
whether she would be able to adjust herself in a joint Indian family.
But soon Nellie dispelled this doubt by adjusting quickly to the Indian
joint family life. They proved to be an ideal couple not only in family
life but also in the political field. Her father in law was so impressed
with her behavior that he wrote a letter to Nellie’s mother, that she
was nothing but prize addition to his joint family and a worthy partner
of his son.
She was the inspiring power behind all his activities in the
political field. Mahatma Gandhi and Sarojini Naidu also inspired her.
During the non-cooperation movement she was arrested while selling
khadi in Chittagong (now in Bangladesh). Thus she had to endure prison
life for the cause of her husband. She helped her husband when he was
involved in the strike of the Bengal Assam Railway men as well as
steamer service workers in support of the tea plantation laborers who
were stranded in Chandpur and were brutally tortured by the British
police.
When the health of Jyotindra Mohan deteriorated, Nellie continued his
political work. During the days of the Civil Disobedience Movement
Nellie accompanied her husband on political tours to Delhi and Amritsar.
Jatindra Mohan was arrested for delivering a political lecture. She
purposely delivered a speech at a banned meeting in Delhi. She was
arrested and put in prison for four months.
Nellie was elected Congress President in 1933. It was a recognition
for her valuable contribution to the cause of India’s independence.
Later Nellie was elected alderman of Calcutta (Kolkata) Corporation.
After the partition of India, she stayed in her husband’s paternal
house. She devoted herself to social welfare work. She was elected
unopposed to the East Pakistan(now Bangladesh) Legislative Assembly from
Chittagong. She was brought to India for special medical treatment
during the last days of her life. In spite of the best treatment made
available, she breathed her last on October 23,1973. 14.Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya (3 April 1903- 29 October 1988)
Kamaladevi was born in a Saraswat family on 3 April 1903. But above
everything, she is remembered for her phenomenal role in reviving the
traditional handicrafts of India during the post independence era. Read
on to know more about the life history of Kamaladevi Chattapadhya, whose
father was the district collector of Mangalore, whereas her mother
hailed from one of the wealthiest families of Karnataka.
Kamaladevi fought against social evils that restricted the
development of women. She was an active member of the youth wing of INC
(Indian National Congress). During partition, Kamaladevi set up
co-operative societies and self-employment schemes to help refugees. She
worked to revive traditional industries like weaving and handicrafts.
As chief of the Board of Handicrafts, she started the pension system for
craftsmen.
She was a trade-unionist, a revolutionary, a reformer, a great patron
of arts, an accomplished writer, an orator, and a freedom fighter.
Belonging from an illustrious family, she got ample opportunity to
meet the great freedom fighters and intellectuals of her time like
Mahadev Govind Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Annie Besant, who being
friends of her parents visited her home frequently. Such acquaintances
bore great influence on Kamaladevi Chattapadhya, who became an early
supporter of the nations’ swadeshi mission. She married at 14 and
widowed two years later while still in school. Yet she went on to take
up acting which was considered inapt for women in those days.
The life history of Kamaladevi Chattapadhya went on and she next
wedded the poet-playwright brother Harindranath Chattapadhya of the
great poetess, Sarojini Naidu in 1920. After this, she also acted in two
silent movies. Later she shifted to London with her husband, where she
enrolled into the Bedford College to study sociology. But the couple
returned to India to participate in the nation-wide non-cooperation
movement launched by Gandhiji in 1923. Thereafter, Kamaladevi joined the
Seva Dal established to work for social upliftment of the downtrodden.
In her missionary zeal she championed the causes of women
empowerment, education, handicraft, theater along with her contribution
to the field of arts, crafts and writings. In her pursuit and
commitment she turned down many offers such as being nominated to the
posts of the Vice President of India, Governor of Orissa or Tamilnadu,
Ambassador in Cairo or Moscow. She preferred instead to devote herself
to social causes. It was her courage displayed with a keen sense of
humour that was extremely rewarding.
As a befitting tribute to a cultural icon of India one can conclude
with the words of former President of India, R. Venkataraman, quoted ,
“Flower buds seemed to blossom at her touch-whether they be flower buds
of human beings or institutions. People became more human and more
sensitive to the deeper impulses of society when they came into contact
with her….”
Kalpana Datta (1913-1995)
Kalpana Joshi (Datta) a revolutionary, was born at Sripur of
Chittagong district on 27 July 1913 in a middle-class family. Having
matriculated in 1929 from Chittagong, Kalpana Datta went to Calcutta and
joined the Bethune college. Greatly influenced by the examples set by
the revolutionaries Kshatriya Basu and Kanailal Datta, she soon joined
the Chhatri Sangha. Purnendu Dastidar drew her into the revolutionary
circle of Mastarda Surya sen.
The Chittagong Armory Raid took place on 18 April 1930 and Kalpana
hurried back to Chittagong and came in contact with Surya Sen in May
1931. In the meantime, many of the leaders of the Raid like Ananta
Singh, Ganesh Ghosh and Loknath Bal had been arrested and were awaiting
trial.
Kalpana was entrusted with the safe carrying of heavy explosive
materials from Calcutta. She also secretly prepared ‘gun-cotton’ and
planned to plant a dynamite fuse under the court building and inside the
jail to free the revolutionary leaders, who were being tried in a
special Tribunal.
The plot was uncovered and certain restrictions were imposed on
Kalpana’s movements. She, however, managed to visit regularly the
village of Surya Sen, sometimes even at dead of night. She also used to
have regular training in revolver shooting, along with her comrade
pritilata waddedar.
In September 1931 Surya Sen decided to entrust Kalpana and Preetilata
with a plan to attack the European Club at Chittagong. A week before
the action Kalpana was arrested while moving out for a survey work in a
boy’s attire. While in jail, she was told about the Pahartali action and
the heroic suicide of Preetilata. Being released on bail, she went
underground at the bidding of Surya Sen and in the early hours of 17
February 1933 the police encircled their hideout. Surya Sen was captured
while Kalpana, along with Manindra Datta, escaped.
On 19 May 1933 Kalpana, with some comrades, was arrested. In the
second supplementary trial of Chittagong Armory Raid case, Surya Sen and
Tarakeswar Dastidar were sentenced to death, and Kalpana was sentenced
to transportation for life. Being released in 1939 she graduated from
the Calcutta University in 1940. Soon she joined the CPI and resumed her
battle against the British rule. She turned Kalpana Joshi in 1943 when
she married PC Joshi, the leader of the CPI. She went back to Chittagong
and organised the Kisans’ and women’s fronts of the party. In 1946 she
contested, though unsuccessfully, in the elections to the Bengal
Legislative Assembly. After 1947 she migrated to India and resigned from
active politics.
Kalpana Datta breathed her last at New Delhi on 8 February 1995.
Matangini Hazra (1869-1942)
Was an Indian revolutionary who participated in the Indian
independence movement until she was shot dead by the British Indian
police in front of the Tamluk Police Station (of erstwhile Midnapore
District) on September 29, 1942. She was affectionately known as Gandhi
buri, Bangla for old lady Gandhi.
Matangini Hazra, who was 73 years at the time, led a procession of
six thousand supporters, mostly women volunteers, with the purpose of
taking over the Tamluk police station. When the procession reached the
outskirts of the town, they were ordered to disband under Section 144 of
the Indian Penal Code by the Crown police. As she stepped forward,
Matangini Hazra was shot once. Apparently, she had stepped forward and
was appealing to the police not to shoot at the crowd. The Biplabi newspaper of the parallel Tamluk National Government commented: “” Matangini led one procession from the north of the
criminal court building; even after the firing commenced, she continued
to advance with the tri-colour flag, leaving all the volunteers behind.
The police shot her three times. She continued marching despite wounds
to the forehead and both hands. “”
As she was repeatedly shot, she kept chanting Vande Mataram,
translating as “hail to the Motherland”. She died with the flag of the
Indian National Congress held high and still flying.
Begum Hazrath Mahal (1879)
Begum Hazrat Mahal was the wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh, Hazrat Mahal was known as the Begum of Avadh (Oudh). She
was stunning beautiful, and used her courage and leadership qualities to
rebel against the British East India Company during the First Indian
War of Independence.
After her husband had been sent away in exile to Calcutta, she with
the cooperation of a zealous hand of supporters like Sarafaddaulah, Bal
Krishna, Raja Jai Lal and Mammon Khan worked incessantly to revive the
fortunes of Avadh. She seized control of Lucknow in association with the
revolutionary forces and set up her son, Prince Birjis Qadir, as the
ruler of Avadh, Hazrat Mahal worked in association with Nana Saheb but
later escaped from Lucknow and joined the Maulavi of Faizabad in the
attack on Sahajahanpur. She was driven from pillar to post, but she made
her retreat with fortitude. She rejected with the contempt the promises
of allowance and status held out to her by the British against whom her
hatred was unrelenting. In the end after bearing misfortune and misery
throughout the period of resistance, she found asylum in Nepal where she
died in 1879.
.Rani Avanti Bai (1831-1858)
Rani Avantibai was born on 16/08/1831.When Vikramaditya Singh, the
ruler of Ramgarh State died leaving behind his wife Avantibai and no
heir to the throne, the British put the state under court
administration. Avantibai vowed to win back her land from the British.
She raised an army of four thousand men and led it herself against the
British in 1857. A fierce battle ensured and Avantibai fought most
valiantly but could not hold out for long against the superior strength
of the British army. When her defeat become imminent she killed herself
with her own sword and English army couldn’t defeat her in her life.
Later Rani Avantibia’s sacrifice became a example to the Lodhian kingdom
and became history of the fight for freedom on 20-03-1858. She was a
great freedom fighter.
.Kittur Rani Chennamma (1778-1829)
Kitturu Rani Chennamma was the queen of the princely state of Kittur
in Karnataka. In 1824, 33 years before the 1857 war of independence, she
led an armed rebellion against the British in response to the Doctrine
of lapse. The resistance ended in her martyrdom and she is remembered
today as one of the earliest Indian rulers to have fought for
independence. Along with Abbakka Rani, Keladi Chennamma and Onake Obavva
she is much venerated in Karnataka as an icon of bravery and women’s
pride.
Kittur Rani Chennamma : Earliest ruler to fight British rule
Rani Chennamma : Valiant Queen who fought against British
“She did not step back looking at the mighty army of British,
but fought with great vigour, expertise skill and courage.”
Rani Chennamma was the first woman independence
activist of Bharat. She stood all alone with a vibrant fiery eye against
the British Empire. Rani Chennamma did not succeed in driving them
away, but she did provoke many women to rise against the British rule.
She was Chennamma Queen of the princely state Kittur in Karnataka. Today
she is well known as Kittur Rani Chennamma. Let us take a few steps
back in history to know more about her.
Early Life
Rani Chennamma was born in Kakati (a small village
in north of Belgaum in Karnataka), in 1778 that is almost 56 years
earlier than Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi. From a very young age she
received training in horse riding, sword fighting and archery. She was
well known for her brave acts across her town.
Rani Chennamma was married to Mallasarja Desai, ruler of Kittur at the
age of 15. Her married life seemed to be a sad tale after her husband
died in 1816. With this marriage she had only one son, but fate seemed
to play a tragic game in her life. Her son breathed his last in 1824,
leaving the lonely soul to fight against the British rule.
Queen Chennamma during the British rule
The Doctrine of Lapse was imposed on native states
by the British. Under this declaration, native rulers were not allowed
to adopt a child if they had no children of their own. Their territory
formed part of the British Empire automatically.
The state of Kittur came under the administration of Dharwad
collectorate in charge of Mr. Thackeray. Mr. Chaplin was the
commissioner of the region. Both did not recognize the new ruler and the
regent, and informed that Kittur had to accept the British regime.
War against the British
Rani Chennamma and the local people opposed
strongly British high handedness. Thackeray invaded Kittur. In the
battle that ensued, hundreds of British soldiers were killed along with
Thackeray.
The humiliation of defeat at the hands of a small ruler was too much for
the British to swallow. They brought in bigger armies from Mysore and
Sholapur and surrounded Kittur.
Rani Chennamma tried her best to avoid war; she negotiated with Chaplin
and Governor of Bombay Presidency under whose regime Kittur fell. It had
no effect. Chennamma was compelled to declare war. For 12 days, the
valiant Queen and her soldiers defended their fort, but as is the common
trait, traitors sneaked in and mixed mud and dung in the gunpowder in
the canons. The Rani was defeated (1824 CE). She was taken a prisoner
and kept in the fort of Bailhongal for life. She spent her days reading
holy texts and performing pooja till her death in 1829 CE.
Kittur Rani Chennamma could not win the war against British, but she
etched her presence for many centuries in the world of history. Along
with Onake Obavva, Abbakka Rani and Keladi Chennamma, she is much
revered in Karnataka as an icon of bravery.
Rani Chennamma has become a legend. During the freedom movement, her
brave resistance to British formed theme of plays, songs, and song
stories. Folk songs or lavanis were a legion and freedom struggle got a
good boost through singing bards who moved throughout the region.
It is heartening news that a statue of Kittur Chennamma was installed in
the Parliamentary Building premises at New Delhi on 11th September
2007. It is the most fitting tribute to a brave queen, who was the
earliest ruler in Bharat to fight the British rule.
Accamma Cherian was a freedom fighter from the erstwhile Travancore (Kerala), India. She was popularly known as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore.[3] Early life and education
She was born on 14 February 1909 at Kanjirapally, Travancore,
as the second daughter of Thomman Cherian and Annamma Karippaparambil.
She was educated at Government Girls High School, Kanjirapally and St.
Joseph's High School, Changanacherry. She earned a B.A. in History from St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam. After completing her education in 1931, she worked as a teacher at
St. Mary's English Medium School, Kanjirapally), where she later became head mistress. She worked in this institution for about six years, and during this period she also did her L. T. degree from Trivandrum Training College.
Freedom fighter
In February 1938, the Travancore State Congress was formed and
Accamma gave up her teaching career in order to join the struggle for
liberty.Under the State Congress, 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 26 August 1938, he banned the State Congress which then organized a civil disobedience movement. Prominent State Congress leaders including its President Pattom A. Thanu Pillai were arrested and put behind bars.
The State Congress then decided to change its method of agitation. Its
working committee was dissolved and the president was given dictatorial
powers and the right to nominate his successor. Eleven ‘dictators’
(Presidents) of the State Congress were arrested one by one. Kuttanad
Ramakrishna Pillai, the eleventh dictator, before his arrest nominated
Accamma Cherian as the twelfth dictator. Accamma Cherian led a mass rally from Thampanoor to the Kowdiar Palace of the MaharajaChithira Thirunal Balarama Varma to revoke a ban on State Congress.[4]
The agitating mob also demanded the dismissal of the Dewan, C. P.
Ramaswami Aiyar, against whom the State Congress leaders had leveled
several charges. 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 M. K. Gandhi hailed her as ‘The Jhansi Rani of Travancore’. She was arrested and convicted for violating prohibitory orders in 1939. In October 1938, the working committee of the State Congress directed
Accamma Cherian to organize the Desasevika Sangh (Female Volunteer
Crops). She toured various centers and appealed to the women to join as
members of the Desasevika Sangh. The first annual conference of the State Congress was held at Vattiyoorkavu
on 22 and 23 December 1938 in spite of the ban orders. Almost all
leaders of the State Congress were arrested and imprisoned. Accamma,
along with her sister Rosamma Punnose (also a freedom fighter, M.L.A.,
and a C.P.I.
leader from 1948), was arrested and jailed on 24 December 1939. They
were sentenced to a year's imprisonment. They were insulted and
threatened in the jail. Due to the instruction given by the jail
authorities, some prisoners used abusing and vulgar words against them.
This matter was brought to the notice of M.K. Gandhi by Pattom A. Thanu
Pillai. C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar, however, denied it. Accamma’s brother, K. P. Varkey, also took part in freedom movement. Accamma, after her release from jail, became a full-time worker of
the State Congress. In 1942, she became its Acting President. In her
presidential address, she welcomed the Quit India Resolution passed at the historic Bombay session of the Indian National Congress
on 8 August 1942. She was arrested and awarded one year imprisonment.
In 1946, she was arrested and imprisoned for six months for violating
ban orders. In 1947, she was again arrested as she raised her voice
against C. P. Ramaswami Aiyar’s desire for an independent Travancore.
In 1947, after independence, Accamma was elected unopposed to the
Travancore Legislative Assembly from Kanjirapally. In 1951, she married
V.V. Varkey, a freedom fighter and a member of Travancore Cochin
Legislative Assembly. They had one son, George V. Varkey, an engineer.
In the early 1950s, she resigned from the Congress Party after being
denied a Lok Sabha ticket and in 1952, she unsuccessfully contested the parliamentary election from Cochin-Meenachil as an independent. In the early 1950s, when the parties ideologies were changing, she quit politics.[4] Her husband V. V. Varkey Mannamplackal,Chirakkadavu. served as an MLA in the Kerala Legislative Assembly
from 1952–54. In 1967, she contested the Assembly election from
Kanjirapally as a Congress candidate but was defeated by the Communist
Party's candidate. Later, she served as a member of the Freedom
Fighters’ Pension Advisory Board.
Police charge
demonstrators at the Esplanade Maidan in Bombay with lathis. The protest
was organised by the National Congress Party. (Photo by Keystone/Getty
Images)
Getty Images
British Police lathi charge women
demonstrators at the Esplanade Maidan in Bombay with lathis. The protest
was organised by the National Congress Party.[1930's]
Police charge
demonstrators at the Esplanade Maidan in Bombay with lathis. The protest
was organised by the National Congress Party. (Photo by Keystone/Getty
Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
It is 65 years since India's freedom at midnight. We take a look at
the struggle that led to the moment in pictures most have not seen
before.
In this picture, on August 17, 1960 Indian prime minister Pandit
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964) addresses the crowd in Delhi, on the
occasion of India's 14th Independence day. Above him flies the national
flag of India.
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
India has been home to several ancient civilisations and empires,
some dating back to more than 2,000 BC. Culture and religions have
flourished over the millennia, and foreign influence has ebbed and
flowed. The image above shows the repulse of a sortie during the Siege
of Delhi, a conflict of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The rebels advance
on a British battery, who repel them with swords, bayonets and rifles. A
lithograph by E Walker, after a drawing by Captain GF Atkinson. (Photo
by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
The mutiny of 1857 was the first anti-British agitation on Indian
soil. In the image above, British troops in Delhi during the 'Indian
Rebellion of 1857'. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
The mutiny was a revolution of sorts. The image shows a scene from
the battle at Cawnpore (Kanpur) where an entire British garrison,
including women and children, was wiped out in 1857 during the Indian
Mutiny. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
In this 1857 image, Indian soldiers (sepoys) of the Bengal army of
the British East India Company are seen rebelling in a battle scene
during the Indian Mutiny (1857 - 1859). Original Artwork: Engraving
entitled - Defeat Of The Sealkote Mutineers By General Nicholson's
Column (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
In 1858, India comes under direct rule of the British crown after a
failed Indian mutiny. After their capture of Delhi the Indian mutineers
lost the city to British forces who extracted swift reprisals by hanging
the leaders. Two of them are hanging from a gallows. (Photo by Felice
Beato/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
In 1857, disarmament of the 26th Indian regiment at Barrackpore
during the Indian Mutiny. Illustration - WHD (Photo by Hulton
Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
1857: British soldiers storming Delhi during the Indian Mutiny.
(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
The rebellion by the soldiers had shaken the foreign rulers. They
stubbed it out with vengeance. In the image above, in 1857 holding the
dead body of his wife, Major Skene shoots himself as Indian soldiers
close in on him during the Indian Mutiny at Jhansi, India. (Photo by
Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
The final spark was provided by the rumoured use of cow and pig fat
in the newly-introduced Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle cartridges. Soldiers
had to bite the cartridges with their teeth before loading them into
their rifles, and the reported presence of cow and pig fat was offensive
to both Hindu and Muslim soldiers. Indian soldiers at an army barracks
during the Indian Mutiny, 1857. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
Under the Government of India Act 1858, the Company was deprived of
its involvement in ruling India, with its territory being transferred to
the direct authority of the British government. circa 1880: The
soldiers of the Indian army who constitute the Viceroy of India's
bodyguard. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
A group of officers present at the Siege of Delhi during the Indian
Rebellion, 1857. From left to right, Surgeon Campbell Brown, Captain
Chesney, Major A Bunny BHA, Colonel Ewart AAG, Colonel D Stewart DAG,
Captain Tytler, Major R Lawrence, Major General Welchman CB, Captain H
Hayley BNI, Captain Gully, Captain Wauchope, B Arty, Colonel H Norman,
Major Maisey DJA, Major H Vicars, Major J, Hills VC, Surgeon Scott,
Captain K Coghill, Captain A Lindsay, Captain M Elliott, Major F Roberts
VC (1832 - 1914), Brigadier General J Brind CB, Captain R Pemberton and
Major M Sankey. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
The 1857 mutiny by Indian soldiers, then called 'sepoys', led to
significant change in how India was to be controlled by the British. In
this image from circa 1915, Indian signallers from the 1st Regiment of
Bombay Infantry keep watch from a hillside lookout post and relay their
sightings to the troops. (Photo by Bremner/Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
A poster for an exhibition of 'Hamilton's New Overland Route to
India' at the Egyptian Hall in London, 1876. The route encompasses
Paris, Mount Cenis, Brindisi and the Suez Canal. (Photo by Hulton
Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
Circa 1900: In front of a temple a crowd watches a widow at her
husband's funeral as she prepares for 'suttee', whereby a widow of a
dead man commits suicide by throwing herself on his funeral pyre. (Photo
by Henry Guttmann/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
Besides spices and cloth, opium was one of the major exports of the
Empire. This 1882 image shows the Sino-Indian opium trade. Scenes from
an opium factory at Patna, culminating in the opium fleet descending the
Ganges on its way to Calcutta. Original Publication: The graphic
published July 8, 1882 (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
Life in India for the foreigners was one long extended summer
holiday. King George V inspects the day's kill after a tiger hunt in
India during his royal visit to celebrate his accession to the throne.
Original Artwork: From the 'King Emperor's Indian Durbar Tour of 1911
-1912' (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
A page from the Illustrated London News of 14th August 1897 covering
the uprisings against British rule in the Swat Valley, north-west India
(now Pakistan). Illustrations show the British army's encampments in
the area, as well as Chakdara Fort and the bridge over the swat river
(bottom right) and members of the 45th Sikh regiment (centre, right).
(Photo by Illustrated London News/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
Followers of Mahatma Gandhi, in 1922, burned down a police station
at Chauri Chaura which claimed the lives of 23 Police officers.(Photo by
Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Getty Images
India@65: Freedom in 65 pictures
Police charge demonstrators at the Esplanade Maidan in Bombay with
lathis. The protest was organised by the National Congress Party. (Photo
by Keystone/Getty Images)
Police confront Indian protesters in Bombay after a meeting of the National Congress at Esplanade Maidan was banned. An argument about the ownership of the esplanade ensued and soon escalated into a small battle, the police defeating the unarmed Congress volunteers, women and children, by beating them with heavy lathis =================================================
Rani Abbakka Chowta was the Queen of Ullal who fought the Portuguese in the latter half of the 16th century. She belonged to the Chowta dynasty who ruled over parts of coastal Karnataka (Tulu Nadu), India. Their capital was Puttige. The port town of Ullal
served as their subsidiary capital. The Portuguese made several
attempts to capture Ullal as it was strategically placed. But Abbakka
repulsed each of their attacks for over four decades. For her bravery,
she came to be known as Abhaya Rani (The fearless queen).She was also one of the earliest Indians to fight the colonial powers
and is sometimes regarded as the 'first woman freedom fighter of India'.
Early life
The Chowtas who were Jain Digambara followed the system of matrilineal inheritance (Aliyasantana)
by which Tirumala Raya, Abbakka's uncle, crowned her the queen of
Ullal. He also forged a matrimonial alliance for Abbakka with Lakshmappa
Arasa, the powerful king of neighbouring Mangalore. This alliance was
to later prove a source of worry for the Portuguese. Tirumala Raya also
trained Abbakka in the different aspects of warfare and military
strategy. The marriage, however was short lived and Abbakka returned to
Ullal. Her husband thus longed for revenge against Abbakka and was to
later join the Portuguese in their fight against Abbakka
Historical background
After overrunning Goa and taking control of it, the Portuguese turned their attention southwards and along the coast. They first attacked the South Kanara
coast in 1525 and destroyed the Mangalore port. Ullal was a prosperous
port and a hub of the spice trade to Arabia and other countries in the
west. Being the profitable trading center that it was, the Portuguese,
the Dutch and the British vied with one another for control of the
region as well as the trade routes. They however, had not been able to
make much headway as the resistance from the local chieftains was very
strong. The local rulers even forged alliances cutting across caste and
religion lines.
Though Abbakka was a Jain by faith, her administration was well represented by Hindus and Muslims. Her army too consisted of people of all sects and castes. She even forged alliances with the Zamorin of Calicut.
Together, they kept the Portuguese at bay. The marital ties with the
neighbouring Banga dynasty added further strength to the alliance of the
local rulers. She also gained support from powerful king
Venkatappanayaka of Bidnur and ignored the threat of Portuguese forces.
Battles against the Portuguese
Portuguese carrack
The Portuguese, clearly upset by Abbakka's tactics, demanded that she
pay them tribute but Abbakka refused to yield. In 1555, the Portuguese
sent Admiral Dom Álvaro da Silveira to fight her after she refused to
pay them tribute. In the battle that followed, Rani Abbakka once again managed to hold her own and repulsed the attack successfully. In 1557, the Portuguese plundered Mangalore and laid it waste. In 1568, they turned their attention to Ullal
but Abbakka Rani resisted them yet again. João Peixoto, a Portuguese
general and a fleet of soldiers were sent by the Portuguese Viceroy
António Noronha. They managed to capture the city of Ullal and also
entered the royal court. Abbakka Rani, however, escaped and took refuge
in a mosque. The same night, she gathered around 200 of her soldiers and
mounted an attack on the Portuguese. In the battle that ensued, General
Peixoto was killed,
seventy Portuguese soldiers were taken prisoners and many of the
Portuguese retreated. In further attacks, Abbakka Rani and her
supporters killed Admiral Mascarenhas and the Portuguese were also
forced to vacate the Mangalore fort. In 1569 however, the Portuguese not only regained the Mangalore fort but also captured Kundapur
(Basrur). Despite these gains, Abbakka Rani continued to remain a
source of threat. With the help of the queen's estranged husband, they
mounted attacks on Ullal. Furious battles followed but Abbakka Rani held
her own. In 1570, she formed an alliance with the Bijapur Sultan of
Ahmed Nagar and the Zamorine of Calicut,
who were also opposing the Portuguese. Kutty Pokar Marikar, the
Zamorine's general fought on behalf of Abbakka and destroyed the
Portuguese fort at Mangalore but while returning he was killed by the
Portuguese. Following these losses and her husband's treachery, Abbakka
lost the war, was arrested and jailed. However, even in prison she
revolted and died fighting.
Carracks of the PORTUGUESE SHIPS-India Armada of 1507, from the Livro de Lisuarte de Abreu
First Attack
The first attack by the Portuguese in south Kanara
coast was in 1525, when they destroyed the Mangalore port. Rani Abbakka
was alerted by the incident and started preparing herself to protect her
kingdom.
Second Attack
The Portuguese, clearly upset by Abbakka's tactics,
demanded that she pay them tribute but Abbakka refused to yield. In
1555, the Portuguese sent Admiral Dom Álvaro da Silveira to fight her
after she refused to pay them tribute. In the battle that followed, Rani
Abbakka once again managed to hold her own and repulsed the attack
successfully.
Third Attack
In 1557, the Portuguese plundered Mangalore and laid it waste.
In 1558 the Portuguese Army perpetrated another
wanton cruelty on Mangalore, putting to death a number of men and women,
both young and old, plundering a temple, burning ships and finally
setting the city itself on fire.
Fourth Attack
Again, in 1567, the Portuguese army attacked Ullal, showering death and destruction. The great Queen Abbakka resisted it.
Fifth Attack
In 1568, João Peixoto, a Portuguese general and a
fleet of soldiers where sent by the Portuguese Viceroy António Noronha.
They managed to capture the city of Ullal and also entered the royal
court. Abbakka Rani, however, escaped and took refuge in a mosque. The
same night, she gathered around 200 of her soldiers and mounted an
attack on the Portuguese. In the battle that ensued, General Peixoto was
killed,seventy Portuguese soldiers were taken prisoners and many of the
Portuguese retreated. In further attacks, Abbakka Rani and her
supporters killed Admiral Mascarenhas and the Portuguese were also
forced to vacate the Mangalore fort.
Sixth Attack
In 1569 however, the Portuguese not only regained the
Mangalore fort but also captured Kundapur (Basrur). Despite these
gains, Abbakka Rani continued to remain a source of threat. With the
help of the queen's estranged husband, they mounted attacks on Ullal.
Furious battles followed but Abbakka Rani held her own. In 1570, she
formed an alliance with the Bijapur Sultan of Ahmed Nagar and the
Zamorine of Calicut, who where also opposing the Portuguese. Kutty Pokar
Markar, the Zamorine's general fought on behalf of Abbakka and
destroyed the Portuguese fort at Mangalore but while returning he was
killed by the Portuguese. Following these losses and her husband's
treachery, Abbakka lost the war, was arrested and jailed. However, even
in prison she revolted and died fighting.
Folklore and legend
According to traditional accounts, she was an immensely popular queen
and this is also attested by the fact that she is even today a part of
folklore. The queen's story has been retold from generation to
generation through folk songs and Yakshagana, a popular folk theatre in [Coastal Karnataka]. In Bhuta Kola,
a local ritual dance, the persona in trance recounts the great deeds of
Abbakka Mahadevi. Abbakka is portrayed as dark and good looking, always
dressed in simple clothes like a commoner. She is portrayed as a caring
queen who worked late into the night dispensing justice. Legends also
claim that Abbakka was the last known person to have the used the
Agnivana (fire-arrow) in her fight against the Portuguese. Some accounts
also claim that she had two equally valiant daughters who fought
alongside her in her wars against the Portuguese. Tradition however
treats all three - mother and two daughters as the same person.
Memory
Abbakka's memory is much cherished in her home town of Ullal.
The "Veera Rani Abbakka Utsava"
India
is the gorgeous and democratic country in which people are offered with
freedom. Only in India, people of different religions are living
together. Unity in diversity concept suits well for the Indian nation.
For many years people of India were subjected to torture under the
British, French, Dutch and Portuguese people. Many people fought for
freedom of nation. They shed their blood, lost their family members,
faced uncountable difficulties in prison, and so on. The troubles faced
by Indian freedom fighters cannot be explained just through words.
Accamma Cherian - Jhansi Rani of Travancore
Accamma Cherian
is one of the iron lady of Kerala. She studied well and joined in a
middle school, as teacher. Her hard work promoted her as a headmistress,
in which school she worked as teacher. At one stage, activities of
Portuguese and British became malicious. They crossed their boundary
levels and started to torture the people without pity. This event
created fire inside her. Immediately, she resigned her job and
participated in freedom struggle events. On 1938, National congress
party was banned in Kerala. To convey the opposition for this act, she
collected the people and directed a rally from Thampanoor to the Kowdiar
Palace of kerala. British government announced the firing order for
this doings. She requested them to kill her first. This made the British
police to put off the shooting order. For this activity, she was named
as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore by Mahatma Gandhi.
This is just a simple sample to tell about her affection towards nation.
Until her death she fought against the people, who worked opposite to
the Indian nation.
Before Independence, Pakistan is also part of
India. Kerala is one of the cutest states in India during ancient time,
now and forever. People from this area actively took part in the
freedom struggle. Despite of gender both female and male participated in
various events in opposite to the Portuguese, who ruled the Kerala
state. They are not only fought against the Portuguese, but also against
the cruel acts of the British people.
A V Kuttimalu Amma
A V Kuttimalu Amma is one of the noteworthy Kerala freedom fighter.
Being a lady, she opposed the foreign people with brave. She united
many women together and raised flag against the Portuguese. She asked
Kerala people to not wear the foreign clothes. She was arrested for
Civil-Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement. She went to jail
with her two month old baby, as she took part in the Civil-Disobedience
Movement.
Only few names of Kerala freedom fighters are made
public. But, countless number of people took part actively in the
freedom struggle. Even though their name has not been mentioned in any
record, they selfless sacrifice should be praised. As the Indian citizen
we should respect the sacrifice of the people, who fought for freedom
of India. If just mosquito bites we feel pain. Then think about the
harsh punishments that were given by the British government to our
Indians. British government did not grant freedom for India just like
that. Behind this act, death and sacrifice of million people are there.
Even after getting freedom, Indian soldiers are fighting against the
enemies to protect our nation. Many Kerala people are serving as
soldiers and army officers in Indian army.
N. P. Nayar and Ammu Swaminadhan
N. P. Nayar and Ammu Swaminadhan
are few leaders of Kerala, who fought for freedom of India. N.P Nayar
is the disciple of Subash Chandra bose. He participated in freedom
movements, as per the style of bose. Many times he was arrested by the
British people and put in the jail. Ammu Swaminadhan is one of the
eminent freedom fighter of Kerala. She followed principles of Mahatma
Gandhi and participated in freedom struggle without violence. This made
het to occupy good place in hearts of people of Kerala. She is an active
member of Constituent Assembly of India and Rajya sabha.
It is
responsibility of each and every citizen to preserve the freedom of our
country, which was given to us by our ancestors. Let us remember the
selfless sacrifice of freedom strugglers' atleast on the Independence Day.
The Chittagong Armoury Raid (Bengali: চট্টগ্রাম অস্ত্রাগার অভিযান) also known as Chittagong uprising, was an attempt on 18 April 1930 to raid the armoury of ...
Kalpana Datta was born at Sripur (Boalkhali Upazila) in Chittagong District of Bengal Province in British India now Bangladesh . After passing her matriculation examination in 1929 from Chittagong, she went to Calcutta and joined the Bethune College for graduation in Science. Soon, she joined the Chhatri Sangha (Women Students Association).[3]
Armed independence movement
The Chittagong armoury raid was carried out on 18 April 1930. Kalpana
joined the "Indian Republican Army, Chattagram branch", the armed
resistance group led by Surya Sen in May 1931. In September, 1931 Surya
Sen entrusted her along with Pritilata Waddedar
to attack the European Club in Chittagong. But a week before the
attack, she was arrested while carrying out reconnaissance of the area.
She went underground after release on bail. On 17 February 1933 the
police encircled their hiding place and Surya Sen was arrested but
Kalpana was able to escape. She was arrested on 19 May 1933.
Trial, transportation and later life
In the second supplementary trial of Chittagong armoury raid case, Kalpana was sentenced to transportation for life. After her release in 1939, Kalpana graduated from the Calcutta University in 1940 and joined the Communist Party of India. In 1946, she contested in the elections for the Bengal Legislative Assembly as a Communist Party of India candidate from Chittagong but could not win. She died in Calcutta on 8 February 1995.
Personal life
In 1943, she married Puran Chand Joshi. They had two sons: Chand and
Suraj. Chand Joshi was a noted journalist, who worked for the Hindustan Times. He was also known for his work, Bhindranwale: Myth and Reality (1985). Chand's wife Manini (née Chatterjee) penned a book on the Chattagram armoury raid, titled, Do and Die: The Chattagram Uprising 1930-34.[4]
. movie, Chittagong, was released on 12 October 2012, based on the uprising. It was produced and directed by Bedabrata Pain, an ex-NASA scientist
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
is a 2010 Indian epic action-adventure film directed by Ashutosh
Gowariker, starring Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and ...
Major General Mohammad Zaman Kiyani Commander of the 1st division of the INA. Later, he took the position of Chief of General Staff, which was earlier occupied by Col. JK Bhonsle. Kiyani surrendered to the British on 25th August 1945 and after the partition of India, he settled in Pakistan Colonel Prem Kumar Sehgal (3rd from left) with wife Capt. Lakshmi Sehgal (6th from left) Col. Sehgal was appointed as the Commander of the 2nd Infantry Regiment under the 2nd Division and fought in the Burma campaign. He was among the 3 soldiers who were tried for treason against the British Empire, but were released later
Navarednam was involved in the Malaysian independence. She was also part of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment. At present, she is the chairperson of the National Council of Women's Organisations and Human Rights Commission in Malaysia
Commander of the 4th Guerrilla Regiment or Nehru Brigade. He was put to trial on 5th August 1945, for waging war against the Emperor
Major General Shah Nawaz Khan Commander of the 1st Guerrilla Regiment or Subhas Brigade. The troops under his command, fought mostly in Burma and north east India. He was appointed as the Commander at the Mandalay division in 1944
One of the prominent leaders of the INA. He was appointed the Deputy Quartermaster General of INA. He was appointed as the in-charge of the technical branch. Later, he was appointed as the Second-in-Command
G-94/Pt.-l, 1930, NMML, Congress Bulletin, 3-6-1930. It was reported that most of the shopkeepers in Chandni
Chowk were willing to close down their shops and lock their foreign
cloth under the seal of the Congress. 133Communique issued by District
Congress Committee, Delhi, AICC File No.18-21, of 1931, NMML.
Lohia and
Achyut Patwardhan – to take charge of the Quit India movement while
hiding underground, just before he himself was caught and put in prisongandhiji-champaran-ahmedabad - The Better India
Kamaladevi
Chattopadhyay was an actress, social worker, freedom fighter, youth
leader, socialist, women’s movement organizer, and chair of
post-independence India’s craft council. She came...Women protesting British Imperialism in India, 1930 boycott foreign goods protest salt satyagraha mahatma gandi India Asia 1930Eight rarely talked about female freedom fighters
Not
much is known about Rani Avantibai who is, today, honoured as a warrior
queen and an important, inspirational figure in the history of the
Indian freedom struggle – notably, the 1857 War of Independence. Very
little has been written about her. Steadfast in her loyalty to her
people and throne, Rani Avantibai is an icon of rebellion, sacrifice and
martyrdom in a long, brutal history of fighting colonial rule. This is
her story.
Early Life
Avantibai was born on 16 August 1831 into a zamindar family. She
is known to have been extremely independent and well trained in her
childhood years. She was not only skilled in military strategy and state
affairs but was also fully capable of archery, horse-riding and
wielding a sword. Her
political and combat education made her a good candidate for a ruler.
With word spreading about her skills and charismatic personality across
the Narmada Valley, she was accepted as a suitable bride for the king’s
son. At a young age (c.1849) she was married to Vikramaditya Lodhi of
Ramgarh (which presently lies in Madhya Pradesh). Given
how accomplished and well-suited she was for taking over the throne, it
is no surprise that when her husband became too ill to continue ruling,
she was the one who took over in his stead. Although her kingdom
flourished under her rule, the British did not approve of her sitting on
her husband’s throne.
Court of Wards
After
the king fell ill, the British refused to accept Avantibai’s sons (Aman
Singh and Sher Singh) as legitimate heirs to the throne, given that
they were minors. Seeing as, in their eyes, there was no heir to the
Ramgarh throne, it allowed them to install their own administration to
replace the Lodhi rule.
Image Source: InUthThis
was due to a fairly ambiguous annexation policy (the Doctrine of Lapse,
commonly associated with Lord Dalhousie) that was applied by the British East India Company
before 1858. It allowed the Company to install administration in any
princely state if the ruler was incompetent or died without a male heir –
taking away Indian rulers’ rights to appoint successors.
On 13
September 1851, Ramgargh was declared the Court of Wards with a
British-approved administrator – Sheikh Mohammad – installed in place.
This decision did not sit well with Rani Avantibai. Deeply insulted by
this act of the British East India Company, she bided her time until she could retaliate.
After
the king’s death in 1857, she found the perfect opportunity to respond
to the foreign insult. She had the administrator thrown out of the
kingdom and declared war upon British rule.
The 1857 Rebellion
By
May 1857, news about the incidents in Meerut and Delhi had spread
across the subcontinent. For months, people in villages had been
preparing for a rebellion after the news of rifles using cow and pig fat
began to make rounds. Rani Avantibai, too, decided to send her own
message.
Carrying handwritten notes and a set of bangles,
emissaries were sent to neighbouring kingdoms to gain support in the war
against the British. The message – if they had any semblance of loyalty
or honour towards their country, they would pick up arms and fight – or
they could sit at home and wear those bangles.
Also Read: Rani Abbakka Chowta: The Queen Who Made Portuguese Colonisers Miserable | #IndianWomenInHistory
After
an incident where the British caught a whiff of rebellion and executed
King Shankar Shah, the entire region was incensed and ready to fight
back. Rani Avantibai’s own people relied on her to become the leader of
the rebellion. Her influence had multiple central provinces joining her
armed fight. She raised an army of 4000 people, leading them to the war.
The statue of Rani Avantibai at Dongagarh, Chhattisgarh. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Rani Avantibai in battle
Rani
Avantibai led her troops to a village named Kheri, near Mandla. While
the British expected an easy victory, they were shocked to be defeated
by her army. They had no choice but to back down while she controlled
Mandla from December 1857 to February 1858.
The British did not
take this slight with grace. Determined to wipe out her rule, they
retaliated with brutal force and attacked Ramgarh – and no amount of
passionate patriotism and love for her people could stop them from
crushing her army with military strength. They set the region on fire
and Rani Avantibai had no choice but to seek safety in the hilly forests
of Devharigarh.
Still, the queen did not give up. Utilising
guerrilla warfare techniques, she infiltrated General Waddington’s camp
and disbanded his forces. Unfortunately, a fighting spirit was not
enough against sheer battle power. Eventually, she found herself trapped
by British forces, who had surrounded Ramgarh. Knowing that her defeat
was imminent, she found it better to sacrifice her life than to be taken
at the hands of the enemy.
On 20th March 1858, she fell upon her own sword and became a martyr. Her last words are said to have been: “हमारी दुर्गावती ने जीते जी वैरी के हाथ से अंग न छुए जाने का प्रण लिया था. इसे न भूलना बडों” (Our Durgavati vowed to never let the enemy get their hands on her while she lived. Don’t forget this).
Legacy
While
Rani Avantibai’s story did not necessarily make it to mainstream
narratives, it continued to live through local folklore, theatre
performances and written across the official documents and writings that
recorded the events of that time.
Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Sagar. Image Source: MapioThe Narmada Valley Development Authority decided to honour the valiant ruler by naming a dam in Jabalpur after her. Called the Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Sagar,
it is a multi-purpose irrigation and hydro-electric project across the
Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh. It is located approximately 45 km from
the city and aims to provide annual irrigation of 2,19,000 hectares in
the Jabalpur and Narsinghpur districts.
Image Source:The
Department of Posts and Maharashtra Government also issued stamps in
her honour. After much protest from the BJP and BSP parties, she was
also finally added to the NCERT history textbooks in 2011.
In
recent years, her name is slowly making its way to the forefront as a
reminder. A reminder that, while many well-known freedom fighters have
names and histories that we know at the tip of our tongue, many have
been lost to the annals of history. As people whose current
socio-political life, a difficult but ultimately free life, comes at the
expense of these sacrifices, we owe it to these brave-hearts to
remember their stories. References: English Wikipedia/Hindi Wikipedia Gyani Pandit The Better India Janitihas Lodhi Mahasabha
Also Read: 6 Indian Queens Who Fought Colonialism
Photograph
of Jhansi Fort taken in 1882 by Lala Deen Dayal, from the Lee-Warner
Collection: 'Scenes and Sculptures of Central India, Photographed by
Lala Deen Diyal, Indore.' The East India Company assumed control of the
fort after the death of Raja Gangadhar Rao in 1853. In 1857, the fort
was taken over by rebel forces. Although the Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi
Bai, who had been disposed, was not successful in controlling of the
fort, she nonetheless defended it against British recapture, which
eventually took place in 1858.
A trip to Jhansi and meeting the Rani: 
What
the finance minister wished to ask me was this - Would I consent to
leave my shoes at the door when I entered the Ranee's apartment? I
inquired if the Governor-General's agent did so. He replied that the
Governor-General's agent had never had an interview with the Ranee; and
that the late Rajah had never received any European gentleman in the
private apartments of the palace, but in a room set apart for the
purpose, or in the tent in which we were conversing. I was in some
difficulty, and scarcely knew what to say, for I had a few years
previously declined to be presented to the King of Delhi, who insisted
on Europeans taking off their shoes when they entered his presence. 
Legion Freies Indien
Matriculation examination certificate of Pritilata
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