Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi popularly known as Father of the Nation was one of the charismatic Indian leaders
who fought for the freedom of the country. This great leader was born in Porbandar, Gujarat on Oct 2,
1869. He was the youngest of the three sons of Putlibai and Karamchand Gandhi. He completed his
primary
studies
in
Rajkot
and
was
married
to
Kasturba
at
the
age
of
13.
In 1891, Gandhi went to London to study Law but after having admitted to Britisah bar he returned to
India and began law practice in Bombay. After a span of two years he was called by an Indian company
in South Africa to work as a legal advisor. There he found that he was ill-treated and abused because of
inferior race and color discrimination. This was a common problem with all Indians. He then decided to
throw himself into the freedom struggle to secure rights for Indian people. For this cause, Gandhi
stayed
in
South
Africa
for
almost
25
years.
Influenced by the Bhagvad Gita and Hindu beliefs, the Jain religion and the Christian teachings of Leo
Tolstoy, Gandhi moved on the path of Satya and Ahimsa. Satya meaning truth and ahimsa meaning
non-violence were the two weapons that Gandhi used to fight the enemy. He led the campaign in
South Africa with the principle of Satyagraha for Indian rights and was arrested many times for his
political activities. In 1914, many of Gandhis demands were accepted by the Government of the Union
of South Africa. After his struggle in South Africa he returned to India and started Non-Cooperation
movement
there.
Gandhi, after returning to India inspired people to boycott British goods and refuse earthy possessions.
This movement was known as Swaraj and was economically significant because Indian home industries
were virtually destructed by British industrialists. He advocated renewal of native Indian industries and
began to use a spinning wheel as a token of return to simple village life. Thereafter, he constantly
began promoting satyagraha, non-violence, non-cooperation and swaraj to achieve independence.
Finally,
in
August
1947,
the
British
were
forced
to
leave
India.
Mahatma Gandhi, symbol of Free India, was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in January 1948. His
mortal frame has already turned into ashes years ago but he still lives in the hearts of millions of
people. Mahatma Gandhi, an embodiment of eternal love and truth, will live for immortal ages.
Mangal Pandey
Born on July 19, 1827 in the village of Nagwa, district Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, Mangal Pandey was
introduced to Indian history as the first freedom fighter and martyr of 1857. He is popularly named
Shaheed Mangal Pandey because Shaheed means martyr in Urdu and he was the first Indian sepoy
who
woke
up
the
Indian
masses
to
fight
for
the
nation.
Mangal Pandey, at the age of 22 joined the British East India Company as a soldier in the 34th
Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry. He was a true freedom fighter who gave a spark to the First War of
Indian Independence. The British termed it as Sepoy Mutiny 1857 as it was a mass revolt of Indian
soldiers
in
the
British
Army.
The main reason of Sepoy Mutiny was the Pattern 1853 Enfield rifled musket. To load a new rifle, the
soldiers had to bite the cartridge and open to pour gunpowder into the rifles muzzle. There was a
widespread rumor that these cartridges were greased with lard or tallow. Lard is the pork fat which the
Muslims regarded as unclean and tallow is the beef fat which the Hindus regarded as sacred. The
British army constituted 96% of Indians and so both the Hindus and the Muslims refused to accept
these cartridges. Everyone had a firm belief that this was done intentionally and this discontent turned
into
a
major
revolt.
Mass revolt forced Pandey to attack his British sergeant on the parade ground, besides wounding an
adjutant. A native soldier stopped him from killing them. The officer in charge ordered a Jamadaar of
the troop to arrest Pandey but he refused to do so. Mangal tried to commit suicide to light the flame of
nationalism in the hearts of millions of Indians but he failed to do so. He was then captured and
sentenced to death on April 8, 1857 in Barrackpore. March 29, 1857 is considered to be a day when
Mangal Pandey reaped the seed for a struggle which gave India her freedom.
Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh, a symbol of heroism, was born in a Sikh family in Layalpur, Punjab on September 27,
1907. He was a national hero who gave a new wave to the revolutionary movement in India. His only
goal
in
life
was
the
destruction
of
British
Empire.

Bhagat started his education in DAV School in Lahore but was not able to complete his studies because
he was highly disturbed and influenced by the Jalianwala Bagh massacre at the age of 12. His desire to
drive British out from India became stronger and he joined the Non-Cooperation Movement called by
Gandhi Ji in 1921. The incidence of Chauri-Chaura in Gorakhpur made Bhagat violent and he decided to
earn freedom with armed revolution rather than non-violence. He then joined the National College in
Lahore,
a
center
of
revolutionary
activities.
To spread message of revolution in Punjab, Bhagat formed a union of revolutionaries by the name
Naujavan Bharat Sabha and gave a call for mass mobilization. In 1928, he went to Delhi to attend a
meeting of revolutionaries and there he came in contact with Chandrashekhar Azad. With a common
aim to establish republic in India they both formed Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sangha. There
were protests against of Simon Commission visit to India and in this protest Lala Lajpat Rai was brutally
lathi charged and later on he died. This added to the anger and discontent of Bhagat and he was
determined to kill the British official and Deputy Inspector General Scott responsible for the death of
Lala Lajpat Rai. By mistake, he killed assistant superintendent Saunders and ran from Lahore to escape
punishment. He threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on April 18, 1929 and was sentenced
to
death
on
March
23,
1931.
Though dead, Bhagat Singh is still living in the history of humanity and remembered as a prominent
face of the freedom struggle.
Chandrasekhar Azad
Chandrashekhar, a fearless revolutionary and a great freedom fighter, was born on July 23, 1906 in
Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. He was the son of Pandit Sita Ram Tiwari and Jagrani Devi. He
started his education in Bhavra and at the age of 14 he went to Varanasi where he was taught to live
the
austere
life
of
a
Brahamachari.
During his stay in Varanasi he was highly inspired by the Non Cooperation movement of Mahatma
Gandhi. He actively participated in the movement for which he was sentenced to fifteen lashes of
logging at the age of 15. In the court he addressed himself as Azad, and gave his fathers name as
Swadhin and his mothers name as Dhart Ma. With endurance, courage and fortitude he tolerated all
the lashes. With each stroke of the whip he shouted Bharat Mata Ki Jai. From then, he was honored
and titled as Azad by the local Indians. Thereafter, he got the name Chandrashekhar Azad. When he
was released, he took a pledge that he would never be arrested by the Britishers and will die as a free
man.
When the Non Cooperation Movement was suspended due to Chauri-Chaura incidence, Azad switched
over to armed revolution and formed Hindustan Socialist Republican Association with other
revolutionaries to spread the message of complete independence. He actively participated in
revolutionary activities and was involved in Kakori Train Robbery and the attempt to blow up the
Viceroy's train in 1926. For British Government, he was a terrorist because he killed John Poyantz
Saunders
to
avenge
the
death
of
Lala
Lajpat
Rai.
On 27th February 1931, Azad was betrayed by one of the associates who informed the British Police. In
Alfred Park, Allahabad he was besieged by the British police. He fought bravely for quite some time but
seeing no other way he shot himself and fulfilled his desire to die a 'free man'. A great Indian leader,
Chandrashekhar Azad was the heart of all revolutionary leaders and his poetic composition, Dushman
ki goliyon ka hum samna karenge, Azad hee rahein hain, azad hee rahenge' is still recited by Indian
soldiers fighting for free India.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Born in a well-cultured Brahim family on July 23, 1856 in Ratangari, Maharashtra, Bal Gangadhar Tilak
was a multifacet personality. He is considered to be the Father of Indian Unrest. He was a scholar of
Indian
history,
Sanskrit,
mathematics,
astronomy
and
Hinduism.
He had imbibed values, cultures and intelligence from his father Gangadhar Ramchandra Tilak who was
a Sanskrit scholar and a famous teacher. At the age of 10, Bal Gangadhar went to Pune with his family
as his father was transferred. In Pune, he was educated in an Anglo-Vernacular school. After some years
he lost his mother and at the age of 16 his father too he got married to a 10-year-old girl named
Satyabhama while he was studying in Matriculation. In 1877, Tilak completed his studies and continued
with
studying
Law.
With an aim to impart teachings about Indian culture and national ideals to Indias youth, Tilak along
with Agarkar and Vishnushstry founded the Deccan Education Society. Soon after that Tilak started

two weeklies, Kesari and Marathi to highlight plight of Indians. He also started the celebrations of
Ganapati Festival and Shivaji Jayanti to bring people close together and join the nationalist movement
against
British.
In fighting for peoples cause, twice he was sentenced to imprisonment. He launched Swadeshi
Movenment and believed that Swaraj is my birth right and I shall have it. This quote inspired millions
of Indians to join the freedom struggle. With the goal of Swaraj, he also built Home Rule League. Tilak
constantly traveled across the country to inspire and convince people to believe in Swaraj and fight for
freedom. He was constantly fighting against injustice and one sad day on August 1, 1920, he died.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the prime architects of modern India and is still living in the hearts of
millions of India.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, first President of independent India, was born on December 3, 1884 in Ziradevi
village
in
Bihars
Siwan
district.
He was the youngest son of Mahadev Sahay and Kamleshwari Devi. As per their custom, he was put
under a Maulavi to learn Persian at the age of 5. Later on, he also learnt Hindi and arithmetic. He got
married to Rajvanshi Devi at the age of 12. After marriage, he gave the entrance examination for
Calcutta University and got scholarship there. He was a brilliant student and earned Masters Degree in
Law.
In 1905, Dr Rajendra Prasad plunged a headlong into the Swadeshi Movement and later on joined the
Dawn
Society
run
by
Satish
Chandra
Mukherjee
and
Sister
Nivedita.
A new awareness was dawning into him under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi. Highly impressed by
Gandhi Jis dedication, courage and conviction, he joined him in the freedom struggle. He was actively
involved in the Non Cooperation Movement, Salt Stayagraha and Champaran Agrarian Agitation.
In 1934, while Prasad was in jail, a devastating earthquake struck Bihar. Prasad was soon released after
that and he completely dedicated himself to raise funds for the victims of earthquake. He was
successful in doing so and further to it in 1935 during the Quetta earthquake he had set up relief
committees.
In 1934, he was elected as the President of Indian National Congress and in 1950 as President of
independent India. As a President, he served the country for twelve years and was retired in 1962.
In the subsequent year he was honored with the Bharat Ratna Award, the nations highest civilian
award. He lived for almost a year after that and then left for his heavenly abode on February 28, 1963.
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji or C.R., was born in a Tamil Brahmin family on
December
10,
1878
in
a
village
of
Salem
district.
He was a great patriot, astute politician, incisive thinker, and one of the greatest statesmen.
C.R. completed his graduation from central Hindu College of Madras and took a Law Degree from
Madras
Law
College.
In
1900,
he
shifted
his
interest
form
law
to
politics.
Rajaji actively participated in Home League Rule under Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Later in 1919, he was
highly influenced by the work of Gandhi Ji and chose to join him in the freedom struggle. Thereafter, he
came into contact with Nehru, Patel, Annie Besant, Rajendra Prasad and Maulana Azad. In 1921, under
Mahatma Gandhi, he was selected as General Secretary of Congress Party and soon after that his
daughter
got
married
in
the
Gandhi
family.
Later, in 1937 he was selected as the Chief Minister of Madras. He maintained his position as the top
leaders of the Congress until independence. In 1946, he became minister in the interim government
and finally in 1947, after independence, he was appointed as the governor of West Bengal. In 1948, he
was
honored
with
the
title
First
Indian
Governor
General
of
India.
In 1957, Rajaji found the Swatantra Party with an aim to oppose the license system required to set up a
business in India. He also published the Hindu epic Mahabharata that was translated from Sanskrit to

Tamil and then to Hindi. Till his last breath that he took on December 26, 1992, he constantly had
served the country and worked for betterment.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a pioneer of Indian National Movement, was bron on May 9, 1866 in Kothapur,
Maharashtra.
This great son of Krishna Rao and Valubai was the political guru of Gandhi Ji. He received his early
education at Rajaram High School in Kothapur and later on moved to Bombay in 1884 to receive higher
education.
It is said that Gokhale was one of the first Indians who completed graduation. Higher education made
him understand the importance of liberty, democracy and parliamentary system. He wanted to
widespread the knowledge he gained and so moved on to teaching. With strong command over English
he was able to communicate with the Britishers but he also wanted local Indians to speak in a way that
their
voices
are
heard.
In 1885, Gokhale along with his Deccan Education Society colleagues founded the Fergusson College in
Pune. In the subsequent year he met a great scholar and a social reformer Mahadev Govind Rane.
Being highly influenced by the social works of Ranade, Gokhale called him guru and started moving on
the path of social reforms. He founded the Servants of India Society in 1905. The main objective of this
society
was
to
train
Indians
to
raise
their
voices
and
serve
their
country.
Gokhale was actively involved in the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909 that gave Indians right to access
highest posts in the government. He also wrote articles for Tilaks weekly paper. Through his articles he
tried
to
awaken
the
lost
voices,
latent
patriotism
and
the
feeling
of
liberty.
Gokhale had greatly contributed to Indias independence and development in all spheres. He was a
patient of diabetes and asthma and unfortunately died on February 19, 1915.
Jawaharlal Nehru
Born on November 14, 1889 in Allahabad, Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India. The
only son of Motilal Nehru and Swarup Rani was a patriot, a freedom fighter and the most highly
respected personality. He completed his early education in a boarding school in England. For higher
studies he went to Cambridge University and returned to India in 1912 as a barrister. Just after his
studies,
in
1916
he
got
married
to
Kamala
Kaul.
Nehru was an intellectual with strong feelings of patriotism, liberty and unity. Being highly influenced by
Gandhi Ji, he wanted to join the freedom struggle. During the struggle he was imprisoned several times.
He had spent almost 14 years of his life in prison. For consequently 5 times he was elected as the
President of Indian National Congress and under his influence Congress adopted the goal of complete
independence. After centuries of struggle, India became independent in 1947 and soon after that Nehru
was
appointed
as
the
first
Prime
Minister
of
the
country.
Even after independence he had served the country that had left a profound influence on the social
structure, intellectual development and overall development of the country. He is said to be the
architect, the maker of modern India. On May 27, 1964 India lost its architecture.
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917 in Allahabad and was the loving grand-daughter of
Motilal Nehru. She completed her early education from Pune University and was further sent to
Shantiniketan formed by Rabindranath Tagore. She then went to Oxford University for further studies.
After completing her education she returned to India in 1941 and got married to Feroz Gandhi, the son
of Gandhi family. Her father Jawaharlal Nehru was a freedom fighter and so she was exposed to politics
since childhood. Mahatma Gandhi was a frequent visitor to her house and she was highly inspired by
the feelings of patriotism he had. Further to her marriage, Nehru was imprisoned and he wrote beautiful
letters to Indira. These letters were to make Indira aware of the current political condition of the
country.
Being highly influenced by her fathers letter, she decided to join freedom struggle. In 1942, she
participated in Quit India Movement for which she was imprisoned. She laid emphasis on the freedom of
the
country
and
convinced
local
Indians
to
fight
for
the
cause.

After gaining independence in 1947, she was appointed as the third Prime Minister and the first woman
Prime Minister of the country in 1966. Her commendable efforts during her tenure of 16 years are
unforgettable. Fighting the battle for her country, she was killed by her body guards on October 31,
1984.
Ambedkar
Responsible for the formulation of Indian constitution, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar has played a
tremendous role in shaping the modern India and transforming millions of oppressed people into
dignified and responsible citizens of India. Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar was born into a Dalit family which
made him a victim of the caste system. He converted to Buddhism and also helped other low caste
people to rise above the torture conducted towards them. Dr Ambedkar was an important part of the
social revolution and was made the first Law Minister of India
Vallabh bhai Patel
A prominent leader of Indian National Congress, Sardar vallabhai Patel played a leading role in Indias
struggle for independence. Vallabhai Patel took part in Satyagraha and while Mahatma Gandhi was in
prison he led the Satyagraha in Nagpur. Sardar Vallabhai Patel also actively participated in Civil
Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement.
Rani laxmibai
The Indian struggle for freedom wasnt just a mans affair but thousands of women too fought with
bravery to bring back this nations pride and Rani Lakshmi Bais name shines in the list. Khoob ladi
mardani wo to Jhansi wali Rani thi (She fought a mans war, she was Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi). These
words wonderfully talk about the bravery with which she fought the British army to save her reign over
the Princely state of Jhansi. Rani Lakshmi Bai led her troop, the largest women army till date, and
fought the battle against the British.
Subhashchandra Bose
Another great freedom fighter was Subhash Chandra Bose who was the founder of Indian National
Army, more popularly known as Azad Hind Fauj. Subhash Chandra Bose was a believer in Swami
Vivekanandas teachings and had a patriotic zeal even as a student. During his days in Calcutta
University, he had beat one of his British professors who made a racist remark over Indian students.
Bose was a rebel and he joined the Indian National Congress and later became its president.
Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azadi dunga (You give me blood, and I promise you freedom).
These are the ever famous words said by Netaji in his speech which motivated a large number of
Indians to take up intense and serious actions towards freeing their motherland from colonial powers
Vinoba Bhave
Acharya Vinoba Bhave was a scholar, saint, man of God, moral tribune, a beacon of hope
and solace to millions in India and abroad. He was Mahatma Gandhi's spiritual successor.
Vinobaji was born in a village in Maharashtra's Kolaba district on September 11, 1895. He
was drawn to Mahatma Gandhi and his unique "Weaponless War" as a youth.
Like Mahatmaji, Vinobaji also was very much ahead of his time. His Bhoodan (Gift of Land),
Sampattidan (Gift of Wealth), Jeevadan (Gift of Life) and other movements are logical
extensions of Gandhiji's program of national reconstruction.
Vinobaji was one of the greatest scholar-saints thrown up by the modern Indian
renaissance. His talks on the Bhagvad Gita delivered in jail are innovative and inspiring.
Though he had a marvelous memory and was a student by nature, he had devoted the
largest part of his time to spinning in which he specialized. He believed in universal
spinning being the central activity which would remove the poverty in the villages.
He abolished every trace of untouchability from his heart. He believed in communal amity.
In order to know the best mind of Islam he gave one year to the study of Koran in the
original. He, therefore, learnt Arabic. He found this study necessary for cultivating contact

with the Muslims living in the neighborhood.

The Padayatra (journey) of Vinobaji, which was part of his Bhoodan movement now belongs
to history. It was a demonstration of Gandhian doctrine of Trusteeship.
Of the many teachings of the Gita which Vinobaji highlighted in his talks, one of the most
important was the role of self-help. "The Gita is prepared to go to the lowest, the weakest
and the least cultured of men. And it goes to him not to keep him where he is, but to grasp
him by the hand and lift him up. The Gita wishes that man should make his action pure and
attain the highest state."
Vinobaji passed away at Paunar on November 17, 1982. He was posthumously honored with
the Bharat Ratna Award in 1984
Lala Lajpat Rai (1865-1928)
Popularly known as Punjab Kesari, Lala Lajpat Rai was born on 28 January 1865 in Jagraon town in
Ludhiana. He was the eldest son of Munshi Radha Kishan Azad and Gulab Devi.
Lalaji was proud of the ancient values and rich heritage of India. The session of the Indian National
Congress at Allahabad in December 1888 marked the beginning of his political career. At the next
session of Congress at Bombay in 1889 he spoke in support of Tilak's amendment. Bipin Chandra Pal
and Gokhale too supported Tilak. Though his name was linked with Tilak and Pal as the leaders of the
extremists, he always made efforts to reconcile the differing elements.
The year 1905 was important for the emergence of a new leadership in the Indian National Congress of
Lal-Bal-Pal, as they were popularly known. The partition of Bengal in 1905 aroused their robust
nationalism. The repressive measures of Government against the growing nationalist movement
inspired them to infuse national pride and self-respect among people. Lalaji emerged as the undisputed
leader of this new spirit.
Lalaji presided over the first session of the All India Trade Union Congress in 1920. He also went to
Geneva to attend the eighth International Labour Conference in 1926 as a representative of Indian
labour. He had an opportunity to watch the labour movement in the USA and England where he was
required to prolong his stay for political reasons.
He was not only a good orator but also a prolific and versatile writer. His journal Arya
Gazette concentrated
mainly
on
the
subjects
related
to
the
Arya
Samaj. Bande
Mataram and People, full of fiery essays mirrored the unrest and zeal in him to free his country from the
clutches of foreign rule. He founded the Servants of the People Society, which worked for the freedom
movement as well as for social reform movement in the country.
Following in the footsteps of revolutionaries who had not hesitated to sacrifice their lives, he led a
procession to demonstrate against the Simon Commission. He was made the target of a brutal lathi
charge in which he was injured badly. A meeting was held the same evening at which Lalaji, - wounded
and aching - spoke with such vigour that his words, 'Every blow aimed at me is a nail in the coffin of
British imperialism', became historic. Though he recovered from the fever and pain within three days
yet his health had received a permanent setback and on 17 November1928, he passed away.