2. Hundreds and thousands left everything, and many
sacrificed their life for one common goal - freedom of
India from foreign rule! These freedom fighters, activists
and revolutionaries came from different backgrounds and
philosophies to fight one common enemy - the foreign
imperialists! While we are aware of several freedom
fighters and revolutionaries, many have remained unsung
heroes. We have made best efforts to present some of the
most prominent freedom activists and revolutionaries who
made immense contribution towards India’s struggle for
3. Tantia Tope (1814 – 18 April 1859)
Tantia Tope was one of the Indian
rebellions of 1857. He served as a general
and led a group of Indian soldiers against
the British. He was an ardent follower of
Nana Sahib of Bithur and continued to
fight on his behalf when Nana was forced
to retreat by the British army. Tantia even
forced General Windham to retreat from
Kanpur and helped Rani Lakshmi of Jhansi
to retain Gwalior.
Tantia Tope
Tantia Tope was one of the Indian
rebellions of 1857. He served as a
general and led a group of Indian
soldiers against the British. He
was an ardent follower of Nana
Sahib of Bithur and continued to
fight on his behalf when Nana
was forced to retreat by the
British army. Tantia even forced
General Windham to retreat from
Kanpur and helped Rani Lakshmi
of Jhansi to retain Gwalior.
4. Nana Sahib
After leading a group of rebellions
during the 1857 uprising, Nana Sahib
defeated the British forces in Kanpur.
He even killed the survivors, sending a
hard-hitting message to the British
camp. Nana Sahib was also known as an
able administrator and is said to have
led around 15,000 Indian soldiers.
5. Kunwar Singh
At the age of 80, Kunwar Singh led a
group of soldiers against the British in
Bihar. Using guerrilla warfare tactics,
Kunwar bedazzled the British troops and
managed to defeat the forces of Captain
le Grand near Jagdispur. Kunwar Singh is
known for his bravery and was fondly
called as Veer Kunwar Singh.
6. Rani Lakshmi Bai
One of the key members of
India's first war of
independence, Rani Lakshmi
Bai went on to inspire
thousands of women to join the
fight for freedom. On 23 March,
1858 Lakshmi Bai defended her
palace and the entire city of
Jhansi when it was threatened
to be captured by British troops
led by Sir Hugh Rose.
7. BALA GANGADAR TILAK
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the most
prominent freedom fighters of India who
inspired thousands with the slogan –
“Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have
it”. As a form of protest against the
British, Tilak established schools and
published rebellious newspapers. He was
famous as one of the trios – Bal, Pal and
Lal. People loved him and accepted him
as one of their leaders and so, he was
called Lokmanya Tilak.
8. Mangal Pandey
Mangal Pandey is said to have played a
key role in inspiring Indian soldiers to
start the great rebellion of 1857.
Working as a soldier for the British East
India Company, Pandey started firing at
English officials and caught them
unawares. His attack is regarded as the
first step of the Indian rebellion that
started in 1857.
9. Begum Hazrat Mahal
Working along with leaders like Nana
Saheb and Maulavi of Faizabad,
Begum Hazrat Mahal rebelled against
the British during the revolt of 1857.
She was successful in taking control of
Lucknow after leading the troops in
her husband’s absence. She rebelled
against the demolition of temples and
mosques before retreating to Nepal.
10. Bipin Chandra Pal
Bipin Chandra Pal was one of
the key members of the Indian
National Congress and a
prominent freedom fighter. He
advocated the abandonment of
foreign goods. He, along with
Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal
Gangadhar Tilak, spearheaded
many revolutionary activities.
For this reason, he is called as
the ‘Father of Revolutionary
Thoughts.’
11. CHANDRA SHEKHAR
AZAD
One of the close associates of
Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar
Azad is credited for reorganizing
Hindustan Republican Association.
Azad, as he was popularly called,
is known as one of the bravest
freedom fighters of India. At the
time of being surrounded by
British soldiers, he killed many of
them and shot himself to death
with the last bullet of his Colt
pistol. He did so, as he never
wanted to be captured alive.
12. Dadabhai Naoroji
Credited with establishing the
Indian National Congress,
Dadabhai Naoroji is
remembered as one of the most
prominent members to have
participated in the
independence movement. In
one of the books published by
him, he wrote about the
colonial rule of the British
which was precisely aimed at
looting wealth from India.
13. Jawaharlal Nehru
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the most
important freedom fighters of India, who went
on to become the first Prime Minister of free
India. He was also the author of the famous
book – ‘Discovery of India’. Nehru was extremely
fond of children and was fondly called as
‘Chacha Nehru’. It was under his leadership that
India embarked on the planned pattern of
economic development.
14. Lala Lajpat Rai
One of the most important members of the
Indian National Congress, Lala Lajpat Rai is
often revered for leading a protest against
the Simon Commission. During the protest, he
was assaulted by James A. Scott, the
superintendent of police, which ultimately
played a role in his death. He was a part of
the famous triumvirate called ‘Lal Bal Pal.
15. Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian
independence movement and was
successful in freeing India from the
clutches of the British. He employed non-
violence and engaged in various
movements as part of his inspiring protest
against the British rule. He went on to
become the most significant freedom
fighter and hence is called as the ‘Father
of the Nation.’
16. Kamaladevi
Chattopadhyay
A social reformer who worked
towards the betterment of
socio-economic standard of
women, Kamaladevi
Chattopadhyay was an
important member of Congress
Socialist Party. She later
became the party’s president
and was arrested for selling
contraband salt in Bombay. She
was also a prominent member
who took part in Salt
Satyagraha.
