India has a rich history of freedom fighters who have fought for the rights of the people. There are countless freedom fighters in India, each fighting for a different cause. Here are the top 10 freedom fighters of India, the most famous and influential individuals who fought for human rights and democracy.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, born in 1875, was later known as ‘Sardar’ after his heroic contribution to Bardoli Satyagraha. Sarada Patel, initially a lawyer, withdrew his position and joined the freedom fighters to protect Indians against British rule.
He is named Bismarck’s Iron Man of India because of his courageous and heroic contributions to the country. Soon after the Independence, Sardar Patel became the Deputy CM of India and devoted himself to interstate the princely states into the Union India.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, and is known as the Father of the Nation. His contribution to making the nation free from British rule is eternal. Armed with nothing but truth and Non-Violence ideals, he directed the Indian masses towards independence.
Gandhi Ji coined the term ‘Harijan’ – children of God for the untouchable community and supported them to be a part of the freedom struggle. For the nation’s welfare, he also fought for equality among the Indian masses separated by caste, community, and class.
His birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanthi, a National holiday, and worldwide as International Day of Non-Violence.
A Revolutionary Nationalist, Bhagat Singh became a folk idol in the Nationalist Struggle. Bhagat Singh, born on September 27, 1907, was among the top 10 freedom fighters of India and a Socialist considered one of the most compelling revolutionaries of the Indian Independence movement.
Singh was born into a Sikh family who had been involved in rebellious activities against British Rule. Bhagat Singh wanted to take vengeance for the police killing Lal Lajpat Rai and became involved in the murder of British Police officer John Saunders.
His life ended when he was hanged at 23, along with Rajguru and Sukhdev. He was considered a venerable hero and one of the best freedom fighters in India.
Born on October 2, 1904, Lal Bahadur Shastri was an Indian Statesman who was known as ‘Shastri’ after he completed his study at Kashi Vidyapeeth. Shastri participated in the Quit India Movement and Salt Satyagraha Movement conducted by Mahatma Gandhi.
He also facilitated White Revolution – a national campaign to boost the production and supply of milk. He has been to jail and spent many years there.
After independence, he became Home Minister and later Prime Minister of India in 1964. His efforts to bring Indian independence are courageous and will always be remembered.
Born on November 17, 1889, Jawaharlal Nehru was the first PM of India and played an important role in Indian Politics in the 20th Century. He was among the top 10 freedom fighters of India.
He emerged as a leader of the Indian Independence Movement under the leadership of Gandhiji and led India from its establishment as an Independent Nation in 1947. Since he loved children, he was called Chacha Nehru, and his birthday is celebrated as Children’s Day.
The independence struggle is incomplete without Lala Lajpat Rai. He was one of the top freedom fighters of India; being born in Punjab in 1865, he was recognized colloquially as Punjab Kesari.
He was an Indian National Congress’s extremist Lal-Bal-Pal trio’s member. In 1920, he emerged as the leader of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Punjab Protest over the Jalliawala Bagh tragedy.
During a Simon Commission protest in 1928, there was a Lathi charge by British soldiers. Scott, the police chief, brutally hit Lala Lajpat Rai, who later died due to his injuries.
He was one of India’s bravest independence warriors and fondly known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ and the ‘Lion of Punjab.’
Rani Lakshmi bai is among the top 10 freedom fighters of India. She was one of the top women freedom fighters whose contribution can never be overlooked or forgotten. Rani Lakhsmi Bai, was born in 1828. She was a prominent figure in India’s vicious independence movement in 1857.
Being a woman, she personified courage and a daring attitude, inspiring hundreds of women to join the fight for freedom. In 1858, she courageously protected her Jhansi palace from an invasion by a British force supervised by Sir Hugh Rose.
Rani Laxmibai was a critical player in the 1857 Indian Revolt. She is also remembered as one of India’s finest independence fighters. In the 1850s, she retaliated against Britain’s intent to overpower her country and became a symbol of freedom in India.
India’s list of top freedom warriors who shed blood and sweat to get independence for our nation is huge. Another name in the list of top ten freedom fighters for India is Subhas Chandra Bose, also known as Netaji, who was born in Orissa in 1897.
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre may have shocked him and drove him to relocate to India from England in 1921. He was a part of the Indian National Congress and the Civil Disobedience Movement. Because he was disappointed with Gandhi Ji’s nonviolent way of independence, he shifted to Germany for assistance, eventually building the Indian National Army (INA) and the Azad Hind Government.
Bose was one of the top freedom fighters of India who was involved in the anti-British independence struggle in India. He was a rebellious independence warrior who created the Azad Hind Army, now called the Indian National Army. Bose has been jailed numerous times for his revolutionary activities.
Bose’s devotion, commitment to India’s Independence struggle, and his organization and leading qualities of the Indian National Army are incredible.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak is a well-known freedom fighter. He was born in 1856 and was a prominent Indian independence warrior. In a fiery protest against the British, he ignited a fire across the country with the message, “Swaraj is my birthright.”
He was better recognized as one of the Lal, Bal, and Pal trios. Tilak established schools and built dissident publications to resist the English overlords. People recognized him as Lokmanya Tilak because they respected and revered him as one of the greatest leaders of all time.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a social reformer, and a great freedom warrior. He was a determined supporter of Swaraj and breathed his last on August 1, 1920. Tilak energized the Indian people and offered new impetus to our liberation movement.
Tilak, a well-known philosopher who believed that independence is everyone’s right and necessity for a country’s well-being.
Another leader in our list of top 10 freedom fighters of India is Mangal Pandey. He was born in 1827 and was an early independence fighter. He was one of the first revolutionaries to encourage young Indian troops to join the 1857 uprising.
While serving as a British East India Company soldier, Pandey led the first attack against English authorities, kicking off the Indian revolt in 1857. He was a major figure in the 1857 uprising, also known as the Sepoy mutiny.
He is renowned in India as one of the country’s earliest freedom fighters. The actions of Mangal Pandey in 1857 started the Indian Mutiny, also called India’s First War of Independence.
The uprising resulted at the end of the British East India Company and the formulation of direct British administration.
These top 10 freedom fighters of India have shown time and again that they are unyielding in their fight for democracy and human rights. Their sacrifices are an inspiration to us all, and I hope that their example will continue to be an inspiration to others throughout the world. I ask everyone to join me in honoring these heroes and supporting their efforts.
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