Famous Indian Revolutionaries
When pleas and petitions bring little results, revolutionaries emerge – they cannot be characterized into any particular sect, caste or religion. They are but united by a single motive – to bring about a change in the current system be it political, religious or economic. India, the land with the richness of culture, heritage and legacy, underwent a tumultuous period in history when countries like France, Portuguese and British (primarily) took over the reign to limit the country and its countrymen as a mere puppets. From being the Golden Bird to an exploited land, the country became vulnerable to the attacks by the British government who firmed their control strategically. Decades of being under the British rule finally gave way to Indian revolutionaries who through their movements and propaganda led to the complete collapse of the English empire. While the country has had numerous revolutionaries, world-renowned Mahatma Gandhi, was a trailblazer of the independence struggle. He spearheaded the country to independence through his non-violence and non-cooperative movement. Other prominent national revolutionaries include Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bhagat Singh, Kalpana Singh, Khudiram Bose, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Chadrashekhar Azad and so on. Discover through this segment the inspiring life of Indian revolutionaries and lap up yourself with some interesting facts about their activist works.
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1
Mahatma Gandhi(Indian Freedom Fighter who Employed Non-violent Resistance & Known as 'Father of the Nation')
Birthdate: October 2, 1869
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Porbandar, India
Died: January 30, 1948
An Indian lawyer and anti-colonial nationalist, Mahatma Gandhi was a major figure in India’s fight for independence from British rule. He is renowned for his employment of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience methods. Despite his popularity, he had numerous detractors as well and was assassinated in 1948. He is widely considered the Father of the Nation in India.
2
Bhagat Singh(Revolutionary Hero of the Indian Independence Movement)
Birthdate: September 28, 1907
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Banga, Punjab, British India
Died: March 23, 1931
Bhagat Singh is one of the most revered freedom fighters of Indian Independence movement. His execution by the British rulers at a young age of 23 inspired many young people to join the freedom struggle. His life’s mission was to free India from colonial rule and his legacy as a symbol of bravery and patriotism continues to live on.
3
Bal Gangadhar Tilak(Indian Independence Activist and One Third of the 'Lal Bal Pal' Triumvirate)
Birthdate: July 23, 1856
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Maharashtra, India
Died: September 1, 1920
Indian nationalist and freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, also known as Lokmanya Tilak, promoted the concept of Swaraj, or self-rule. He was part of the freedom-fighter trio know as Lal Bal Pal, along with fellow Indian National Congress members Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal.
4
Chandra Shekhar Azad(Indian Revolutionary Who Reorganised Hindustan Socialist Republican Association)
Birthdate: July 23, 1906
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Badarka, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: February 27, 1931
Chandra Shekhar Azad joined India’s freedom struggle against the British after being deeply affected by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Born Chandra Shekhar Tiwari, he declared himself as Azad when arrested in connection with Gandhiji’s non-cooperation movement. He shot himself to death to escape being held captive by the British.
Birthdate: May 28, 1883
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Bhagur
Died: February 26, 1966
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was an Indian politician and independence activist. He formulated the Hindu nationalist philosophy of Hindutva and was a leading figure in the Hindu Mahasabha. He was known for his strong oratory skills and was an eloquent writer. He was initially charged as a co-conspirator in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi but was later acquitted.
6
Mangal Pandey(Indian Soldier Who Played an Important Role During the Time of the Indian Rebellion of 1857)
Birthdate: July 19, 1827
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Nagwa, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: April 8, 1857
Indian soldier Mangal Pandey was a significant figure in the Indian rebellion of 1857, also known as the Sepoy Mutiny, or First War of Independence. Pandey was a sepoy of the British East India Company’s 34th BNI Regiment. His life inspired the Bollywood movie Mangal Pandey: The Rising.
7
Udham Singh
(Indian Revolutionary Known for Assassinating ‘Michael O’Dwyer’, the Former Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab in India)
Birthdate: December 26, 1899
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sunam, Punjab, India
Died: July 31, 1940
8
Birsa Munda(Tribal Leader Who Revolted Against the British Rule)
Birthdate: November 15, 1875
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ulihatu, Khunti, India
Died: June 9, 1900
In spite of his short life, which ended at age 24, Birsa Munda is remembered for spearheading the tribal movement against the British. He also made the British introduce new laws for the protection of the tribal land rights. He died in prison while undergoing trials.
9
Gopal Krishna Gokhale(Indian Political Leader and a Social Reformer During the Indian Independence Movement)
Birthdate: May 9, 1866
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kothluk, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
Died: February 19, 1915
Birthdate: 1820 AD
Birthplace: Faizabad
Died: April 7, 1879
Also known as Begum of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal was the second wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. She is remembered for rebelling against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Following her husband’s exile, she took over affairs in the state of Awadh. However, she was forced by the British to abandon Awadh.
11
Ram Prasad Bismil
(Indian Revolutionary Who Fought Against British Rule and Was Hanged For His Involvement in Kakori Conspiracy of 1925.)
Birthdate: June 11, 1897
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Died: December 19, 1927
12
Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: November 24, 1806
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died: February 22, 1847
13
M. N. Roy(Indian Marxist Revolutionary, Political Theorist and a Noted Philosopher of the 20th Century)
Birthdate: March 21, 1887
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: West Bengal, India
Died: January 25, 1954
Apart from being one of the co-founders of the Communist Party of India, M. N. Roy also established the Mexican Communist Party. Jailed for his political activities, he penned the nine-volume Prison Manuscripts in prison. He later joined the Indian National Congress but quit it soon after.
14
Surya Sen(Bengali Revolutionary Who Took Part in Indian Independence Movement and Led the 1930 Chittagong Armoury Raid)
Birthdate: March 22, 1894
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Raozan Upazila, Bangladesh
Died: January 12, 1934
Surya Sen, popularly known as Master Da, was initially a school teacher in Chittagong and later an eminent freedom fighter. Best known for his association with the 1930 Chittagong armoury raid, he was later imprisoned by the British and tortured mercilessly, before being hanged to death.
Birthdate: November 5, 1870
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kolkata, India
Died: June 16, 1925
16
Shivaram Rajguru
(Indian Revolutionary Known Mainly for His Involvement in the Assassination of a British Police Officer ‘John Saunders')
Birthdate: August 24, 1908
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Maharashtra, India
Died: March 23, 1931
17
Khudiram Bose
(One of the Youngest Martyrs of the Indian Independence Movement)
Birthdate: December 3, 1889
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: West Bengal, India
Died: August 11, 1908
18
Sukhdev Thapar
(Indian Revolutionary Who Was Involved in the Assassination of Assistant Superintendent of Police, J. P. Saunders)
Birthdate: May 15, 1907
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Punjab, India
Died: March 23, 1931
19
Veerapandiya Kattabomman
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: 1760
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Panchalankurichi, Tamil nadu, India
Died: October 16, 1799
20
Tantia Tope(One of the Best and Most Effective Rebel Generals in the Indian Struggle for Independence)
Birthdate: 1814 AD
Birthplace: Yeola, Pune, India
Died: April 18, 1859
Best remembered for leading the Indian Rebellion of 1857, tribal leader Tantia Tope used guerilla tactics in his fights against the British. In spite of no formal military training, he also managed to seize Gwalior temporarily with Rani Lakshmibai. He was later hanged to death by the British.
21
Kunwar Singh
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: November 13, 1777
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Jagdishpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: April 26, 1858
22
Ashfaqulla Khan
(Indian Independence Activist & Mastermind Behind the Kakori Train Robbery)
Birthdate: October 22, 1900
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: December 19, 1927
23
Kartar Singh Sarabha
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: May 24, 1896
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Punjab, India
Died: November 16, 1915
Birthdate: May 19, 1824
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bithoor
Died: 1859 AD
Nana Saheb, also known as Dhondupant, was a major figure of the 1857 Sepoy Munity, or the first war of Indian independence. The adopted son of Peshwa Baji Rao II, he was initially on friendly terms with the British but was later forced by circumstances to join the rebels against the British.
25
Potti Sreeramulu
(Revolutionaty, Social activist)
Birthdate: March 16, 1901
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Padamatipalli, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died: December 15, 1952
26
Jatindra Nath Das
(Revolutionary, Activist)
Birthdate: October 27, 1904
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kolkata, West bengal, India
Died: September 13, 1929
27
Dheeran Chinnamalai
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: April 17, 1756
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kangeyam, Tamil Nadu, India
Died: July 31, 1805
28
Vasudev Balwant Phadke
(Revolutionary, Activist)
Birthdate: November 4, 1845
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Shirdhon, Maharashtra, India
Died: February 17, 1883
29
Bakht Khan
(Indian Commander-In-Chief During the Indian Rebellion of 1857)
Birthdate: 1797 AD
Birthplace: Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: 1859 AD
Bakht Khan is best remembered for his service as the commander-in-chief of the 1857 Indian Rebellion against the British. Initially part of the East India Company army, he served the Bengal horse artillery and gained 40 years of military experience. He eventually died fighting at the age of around 61.
30
Shyamji Krishna Varma
(Founded the Indian Home Rule Society, India House and The Indian Sociologist in London)
Birthdate: October 4, 1857
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kutch, Gujarat, India
Died: March 30, 1930
31
Tiruppur Kumaran
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: October 4, 1904
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Chennimalai, Tamil Nadu, India
Died: January 11, 1932
32
Jagjit Singh Chauhan
(Indian Politician and Founder of the Khalistan Movement)
Birthdate: 1929 AD
Birthplace: Urmar Tanda, Punjab, India
Died: April 4, 2007
Known as the founder of the Khalistan movement that sought to create an independent homeland for the Sikhs, Jagjit Singh Chauhan entered politics as a short-lived MLA from Punjab. On losing election, he traveled abroad to start his campaign for creation of an independent Khalistan, continuing with his mission in exile until he was allowed to return home in 2001.
33
Purushottam Das Tandon
(Indian Freedom Fighter Best Known for His Opposition to the Partition of India)
Birthdate: August 1, 1882
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Allahabad, India
Died: July 1, 1962
Popularly referred as Rajarshi, Purushottam Das Tandon was an Indian lawyer, political leader and scholar. A member of the Indian National Congress, he actively participated in its various movements and vehemently opposed the partition of India. As a member of the Constituent Assembly, he not only promoted Hindi as the official language, but also the usage of Devanagari script. .
34
Har Dayal
(Indian Nationalist Revolutionary and Freedom Fighter)
Birthdate: October 14, 1884
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Delhi, India
Died: March 4, 1939
The son of a government reader, Har Dayal rejected a career in the Indian civil services and became involved in industrial unionism in the US. He had also been a lecturer of philosophy and Sanskrit, and co-founded the Hindustan Ghadr Party. His notable works include Our Educational Problem.
35
Roshan Singh
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: January 22, 1892
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: December 19, 1927
36
Ali Musliyar
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: 1861 AD
Birthplace: Eranād taluk, Malabar district, India
Died: February 17, 1922
37
Bhima Nayak
(Revolutionary)
Birthplace: Barwani, Madhya Pradesh, India
Died: December 29, 1876
38
Peer Ali Khan
(Indian Revolutionary Known for His Leading Role in the Organization of the Great Revolt of 1857)
Birthdate: 1812 AD
Birthplace: Uttar Pradesh, India
Died: July 7, 1857
39
Nahar Singh
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: 1823 AD
Birthplace: Faridabad, Haryana, India
Died: January 9, 1858
40
Hemu Kalani
(Revolutionary, Activist)
Birthdate: March 23, 1923
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Sukkur, Pakistan
Died: January 21, 1943
41
Rajendra Lahiri
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: June 29, 1901
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pabna District, Bangladesh
Died: December 17, 1927
42
Kushal Konwar
(Rebel, Activist)
Birthdate: March 21, 1905
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Sarupathar, Golaghat, Assam, India
Died: June 15, 1943
43
Anant Laxman Kanhere
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: January 7, 1892
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ratnagiri District, Maharashtra, India
Died: April 19, 1910
44
Dinesh Gupta
(Revolutionary)
Birthdate: December 6, 1911
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bikrampur, Bangladesh
Died: July 7, 1931
45
Tikendrajit Singh
(Rajput Prince Who Fought Against The British Forces in 'The Anglo-Manipur War of 1891')
Birthdate: December 29, 1856
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Manipur, India
Died: August 13, 1891
Tikendrajit Singh was an Indian revolutionary and military commander who played a major role in the events leading up to the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891. A Rajput prince, Tikendrajit Singh fought the British forces which had formed an alliance with Surachandra Singh, the king of Manipur who had been dethroned by Tikendrajit and his brother Kulachandra Singh.
46
Pandurang Shastri Athavale
(Philosopher)
Birthdate: October 19, 1920
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Maharashtra, India
Died: October 25, 2003
Born to a Sanskrit teacher, Pandurang Shastri Athavale was taught as part of a separate school system set up by his father. The Padma Vibhushan-winning activist and spiritual leader later started his own Vedic movement known as the Swadhyaya Parivar. Shyam Benegal’s Antarnaad was based on his movement.
47
Madan Lal Dhingra
(Revolutionary, Criminal)
Birthdate: February 18, 1883
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Amritsar, Punjab, India
Died: August 17, 1909