25 Most Popular Indian Freedom Fighters
People from every corner of the country participated in the struggle for ousting the British from India. Many of them sacrificed their lives to free India from the tyrannical rule of the British. Join Our Telegram Channel
Here are the freedom fighters who fought bravely in the Indian Independence struggle.
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Kunwar Singh
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
- Dadabhai Naoroji
- Tantia Tope
- K. M. Munshi
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Ashfaqulla Khan
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Lala Lajpat Rai
- Ram Prasad Bismil
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Rani Lakshmi Bai
- Bipin Chandra Pal
- Chittaranjan Das
- Begum Hazrat Mahal
- Bhagat Singh
- Lal Bahadur Shastri
- Nana Sahib
- Chandra Shekhar Azad
- C. Rajagopalachari
- Abdul Hafiz Mohamed Barakatullah
- Subhash Chandra Bose
- Mangal Pandey
- Sukhdev
Mahatma Gandhi | Father of the Nation Civil Rights Activist in South Africa Satyagraha Civil Disobedience Movement Quit India Movement |
Kunwar Singh | Indian Rebellion of 1857 |
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar | Leading figures of Hindu Mahasabha and formulator of Hindu Nationalist Philosophy |
Dadabhai Naoroji | Unofficial Ambassador of India |
Tantia Tope | Indian Rebellion of 1857 |
K. M. Munshi | Founder of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan |
Jawaharlal Nehru | Preeminent fighter First Prime Minister of India |
Ashfaqulla Khan | Member of Hindustan Republican Association |
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel | Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement Unification of India |
Lala Lajpat Rai | Punjab Kesari Against Simon Commission |
Ram Prasad Bismil | Founding Member of Hindustan Republican Association |
Bal Gangadhar Tilak | The Maker of Modern India Swadeshi Movement |
Rani Lakshmi Bai | Indian Rebellion of 1857 |
Bipin Chandra Pal | Father of Revolutionary Thoughts Swadeshi Movement |
Chittaranjan Das | Leader in Non-cooperation Movement from Bengal and Founder of Swaraj party |
Begum Hazrat Mahal | Indian Rebellion of 1857 |
Bhagat Singh | One of the Most Influential Revolutionary |
Lal Bahadur Shastri | White Revolution Green Revolution Second Prime Minister of India |
Nana Sahib | Indian Rebellion of 1857 |
Chandra Shekhar Azad | reorganised the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) under its new name of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association |
C. Rajagopalachari | Last Governor-General of India Leader of Indian National Congress |
Abdul Hafiz Mohamed Barakatullah | Revolutionary Writer |
Subhash Chandra Bose | World War II Indian National Congress |
Mahatma Gandhi
Born on 2nd October 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is revered as Father of the Nation for his immense sacrifices for India. He not only ushered India towards freedom, but he also became the inspiring figure for many independence struggles and rights movements across the world. Popularly called Bapu, Gandhi introduced the doctrine of non-violence in India. According to him, independence was to be achieved through a combination of non-violent movement and non-co-operation with the British. His credit lies in the fact that he was able to bring the masses into the freedom struggle. The historic Non-Cooperation movement, Dandi March and the Quit India movement were all started under his leadership.
- Born: 2 October 1869, Porbandar
- Full name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Assassinated: 30 January 1948, New Delhi
- Famously Known As Bapu
Subhash Chandra Bose
- One of the greatest Indian freedom fighters that history witnessed was none other than Subhas Chandra Bose. He was born on 23rd January 1897. He was a radical nationalist and his ultimate patriotism carved a hero out of him. Bose belonged to the extremist section of the Indian freedom fighters. He was the leader of a radical youth wing of Congress from the early years of the 1920s till the end of 1930. Bose disagreed with the ideals of non-violence promoted by Gandhi, instead of believing that only armed revolt could oust the British from India. The founder of the Forward Bloc, he escaped the eyes of the British to ultimately reach Germany during the second world war. He raised the Indian National Army (INA) and with Japanese help, was able to free a portion of Indian territory from the British in Manipur, but was ultimately defeated due to Japanese surrender to the British. Although he is believed to have died in a plane crash in 1945, his death remains shrouded in mystery to date.
- Born: 23 January 1897, Cuttack
- Famously Known As Netaji
- Died: 18 August 1945, Taipei, Taiwan
- Education: Scottish Church College (1918), Presidency University
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
- Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31st October 1875. A senior leader of the Indian National Congress, he had an immense contribution to the Indian freedom struggle as one of the most influential and strong-minded Indian freedom fighters. He was the brain and mind behind the integration of India into a united country. He was one of the most influential leaders of Gujarat, who organized peasant movements against the British based on Gandhi’s ideals of non-violence. One of the first congress leaders to have accepted the British plan of partition for India, he is remembered for his role in integrating the princely states into the dominion of India. His efforts led to the integration of around 562 princely states. After independence, he served as the first home minister and deputy prime minister of India.
- Born: 31 October 1875, Nadia
- Died: 15 December 1950, Mumbai
- Full name: Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel
- Famously Known As Sardar, Iron Man Of India
Jawaharlal Nehru
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14th November 1889. He was the single child of Motilal Nehru and Swarup Rani Nehru. Nehru was one of the most renowned barristers and was known for his intellectual capabilities which soon made him one of the greatest politicians India had ever seen. Nehru, under the approval of Gandhi, his mentor, rose to become one of the most dominant figures in Indian politics from the 1930s onwards. Nehru, after much deliberations, accepted the partition proposal for India in 1947 and took oath as the First Prime Minister of India after attaining independence. His birthday on 14 November is widely celebrated in India as Children’s day.
- Born: 14 November 1889, Prayagraj
- Died: 27 May 1964, New Delhi
- Spouse: Kamala Nehru (m. 1916–1936)
- Parents: Motilal Nehru
- Famously Known As: Chacha Nehru, Pandit Nehru
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2nd October 1904 in the state of Uttar Pradesh. He was conferred with the title of Shastri which in English is termed as Scholar. At the age of only sixteen, he left his studies to join the non-cooperation movement at the call of Gandhi. Later, he graduated with a first-class degree from Kashi Vidyapeeth, a national institution of higher education inaugurated by Gandhi. He was one of the most proactive Indian freedom fighters who participated in various movements such as the Quit India movement, Civil Disobedience movement and other satyagrahas led by Mahatma Gandhi. Lal Bahadur Shastri was incarcerated by the British for considerable periods during his lifetime. Post attaining independence, he first became the Home Minister and later was made the Prime Minister of India in the year 1964.
- Born: 2 October 1904, Mughalsarai
- Died: 11 January 1966, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Party: Indian National Congress
- Famously Known As: Man of Peace
Bhagat Singh
Born in 1907, Bhagat Singh was among the extreme revolutionary Indian freedom fighters. He was a largely controversial, though respected figure in the freedom struggle of India. This revolutionary hero was born in a Sikh family in the undivided state of Punjab and carried the legacy of his family and clinched to his patriotism till his death. He was involved in a plot in 1928 to assassinate James Scott, a British police superintendent to exact revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. The plot failed when they mistakenly killed another young police officer and Singh fled to Lahore to escape from punishment. The following year, he, along with his associates hurled a bomb at the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in protest against the implementation of the Defence of India Act and surrendered to the police. This great Indian freedom fighter was sentenced to death by hanging by the British, and executed at the age of only 23.
- Born: 28 September 1907, Banga, Pakistan
- Died: 23 March 1931, Lahore Central Jail, Lahore, Pakistan
- Education: National College, Lahore, National College of Arts, Dayanand Anglo-Vedic Schools System
- Famously Known As: Shaheed Bhagat Singh
Dadabhai Naoroji
Born on 4th September 1825, was a Mathematics and Natural Philosophy professor. He was educated at the Elphinstone College in Bombay. He turned towards politics later in life and became very active in the field. Dadabhai Naoroji gained popularity for his famous opinion on the economic consequences of British rule in India. His opinion was unfavourable and he felt that the British rule would leave and cause irreparable damage to the Indian economy. In the years 1886, 1893 and 1906, Dadabhai Naoroji had the privilege of presiding over the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress. This later led to the nationalist movement in India. His popular writings include the article named Poverty and Un-British Rule in India (1901). In this article, he was of the strong belief and opinion that India was taxed at a very high rate and all of India’s wealth was being drained to England.
- Born: 4 September 1825, Navsari
- Died: 30 June 1917, Mumbai
- Organizations founded: Indian National Congress, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe, National Congress, London Indian Society
- Famously Known As: ’Grand Old Man of India’ and ‘Unofficial Ambassador of India’
Tantia Tope
Tantia Tope was one of the famous revolutionaries of the Rebellion of 1857. Born in 1814, he led his soldiers to fight against the dominance of British rule. He made General Windham leave Kanpur and helped Rani Lakhsmi Bai reinstating Gwalior.
- Born: 1814, Yeola
- Died: 18 April 1859, Shivpuri
- Full name: Ramachandra Pandurang Tope
Bipin Chandra Pal
Bipin Chandra Pal was a revolutionary born in 1858 during the Biggest revolution against the British Army. He was a significant part of the Indian National Congress and encouraged the abandonment of foreign goods. He formed a trio with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak to be known as Lal-Bal-Pal where they executed several revolutionary activities.
- Born: 7 November 1858, Habiganj District, Bangladesh
- Died: 20 May 1932, Kolkata
- Education: St. Paul’s Cathedral Mission College, Presidency University
- Famously Known As: Father of Revolutionary Thoughts
Lala Lajpat Rai
Famously known as Punjab Kesari, he was one of the extremist members of the Indian National Congress. He formed a trio with Bipin Chandra Pal and Bal Gangadhar Tilak to be known as Lal-Bal-Pal where they executed several revolutionary activities. He led the Punjab Protest against the Jallianwala Incident and Non-Cooperation Movement. He fought against the Simon Commission Protest and lost his life because of a lathi charge by the Britishers
- Born: 28 January 1865, Dhudike
- Died: 17 November 1928, Lahore, Pakistan
- Famously Known As: Punjab Kesari
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a remarkable freedom fighter born in 1856. Famously known for his quote, ‘Swaraj is my Birthright. He published several rebellious newspapers and built schools to defy British Rule. He was the third member of the Lal-Bal-Pal along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal.
- Born: 23 July 1856, Chikhali
- Died: 1 August 1920, Mumbai
- Famously Known As Lokmanya Tilak
Ashfaqulla Khan
Born on 22nd October 1900, in the district of Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Ashfaqulla Khan grew up with the non-cooperation movement going on at the forefront, led by Mahatma Gandhi. Just when he was a young gentleman, Ashfaqulla Khan became acquainted with Ram Prasad Bismil. He was one of the main conspirators in the Chauri Chaura incident, which took place in Gorakhpur. He was a strong advocate of independence and wanted the British to leave India at any cost. Ashfaqulla Khan was a popular freedom fighter, known for his true friendship with Bismil, was sentenced to death for the Kakori train robbery. It was popularly known as the Kakori Conspiracy of 1925.
- Born: 22 October 1900, Shahjahanpur
- Died: 19 December 1927, Faizabad
- Organization: Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
- Famously Known As:Ashfaq Ulla Khan
Nana Sahib
Balajirao Bhat, commonly known as Nana Sahib, was born in Bithoor (Kanpur District), Uttar Pradesh in May 1824. He was the eighth Peshwa of India’s Maratha Empire. After Shivaji’s reign, he was one of the most powerful kings and one of the most courageous Indian independence warriors in history. Balaji Bajirao was another name for him. When Chattrapati Shahu died in 1749, he left the Maratha Empire to the Peshwas. He did not have an heir to his realm, therefore he nominated the valiant Peshwas as his heir. Nana Sahib, as king of the Maratha Empire, made significant contributions to the development of Pune. During his rule, Poona was transformed from a small village to a metropolis. He redesigned the city by constructing new districts, temples, and bridges. Having said that, Sahib was a key contributor to the 1857 revolt, leading a group of enthusiastic rebels. He overran the British soldiers in Kanpur and endangered the British camp by murdering the survivors. However, after defeating Nana Saheb and his men, the British were able to retake Kanpur.
- Born: 19 May 1824, Bithoor
- Full name: Dhondu Pant
- Died: 1859, Naimisha Forest
- Disappeared: July 1857 in Cawnpore (now Kanpur), British India
- Famously known as Nana Sahib
Sukhdev
Sukhdev, who was born in 1907, was a brave revolutionary and a key member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. Without a doubt, he was one of the most revered figures of the Indian freedom struggle. He collaborated closely with his colleagues Bhagat Singh and Shivram Rajguru. He was accused of being involved in the assassination of British officer John Saunders. Unfortunately, at the age of 24, he was caught and hanged with Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru on March 23, 1931, in Punjab’s Hussainwala (now in Pakistan).
- Born: 15 May 1907, Ludhiana
- Died: 23 March 1931, Lahore, Pakistan
- Education: National College of Arts, National College, Lahore
- Member of: Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)
Kunwar Singh
Kunwar Singh was born in April 1777 to the Maharaja and Maharani of Jagdispur (now in Bhojpur District, Bihar) to the Maharaja and Maharani of Jagdispur. His name is often lost amid the other more renowned names of the Revolt. Nonetheless, his contribution to the First War of Independence was enormous. Kunwar Singh led the uprising in Bihar. On July 25, 1857, he gained command of the sepoys stationed at Danapur at the age of nearly 80. Kunwar Singh took over Azamgarh in March 1858. (now in UP). He then went home and commanded a successful fight near Jagdispur on July 23rd. The British, headed by Captain le Grand, were beaten in this fight despite Kunwar Singh being the fact that Kunwar Singh was severely hurt.
- Born: November 1777, Jagdishpur
- Died: 26 April 1858, Jagdishpur
- Full name: Babu Veer Kunwar Singh
- Famously Known as Veer Kunwar Singh
Mangal Pandey
Mangal Pandey, a well-known Indian freedom fighter, is usually recognized as the forerunner of the 1857 revolt against the British, which is regarded as India’s first battle of independence. As a soldier in the East India Company’s army’s 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment, he led the sepoy mutiny, which eventually led to the 1857 uprising. When a new Enfield rifle was launched in India in the mid-1850s, his biggest dispute with the business began. The rifle’s cartridges were rumored to be lubricated with animal fat, specifically cow and pig fat. As a result of the cartridges’ use, the Indian troops rebelled against the corporation since it violated their religious beliefs. Pandey and his fellow sepoys rose up in revolt against the British commanders on March 29, 1857, and even attempted to kill them. He was arrested and sentenced to death on April 18. However, anticipating a sepoy uprising, British officials executed him 10 days prematurely on April 8.
- Born: 19 July 1827, Nagwa
- Died: 8 April 1857, Barrackpore
- Occupation: Sepoy (soldier)
- Cause of death: Execution by hanging
- Known for: Indian independence fighter
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born in 1883 and spent the rest of his life as a dedicated activist and Indian revolutionary. He established the Abhinav Bharat Society and the Free India Society. Swatantryaveer Savarkar was his given name. As a writer, he also penned a piece named ‘The Indian War of Independence,’ which provided wonderful information about the 1857 Indian revolt.
- Born: 28 May 1883, Bhagur
- Died: 26 February 1966, Mumbai
- Party: Hindu Mahasabha
- Education: City Law School (1909), Fergusson College (1902–1905), Wilson College, Mumbai, Mumbai University
C. Rajagopalachari
C Rajagopalachari, born in 1878, was a lawyer by profession before joining the Indian National Congress in 1906 and rising through the ranks to become a recognizedCongress legislator. Rajagopalachari was a towering figure in contemporary Indian politics. He was a member of the Indian National Congress during the pre-independence era and a staunch supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. He was a fervent devotee of He also actively engaged in Lajpat Rai’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
- Born: 10 December 1878, Thorapalli
- Died: 25 December 1972, Chennai
- Education: Presidency college, Bangalore central University (1894), Bangalore University
- Famously known as CR, Mango of Krishnagiri, Rajaji
- Awards: Bharat Ratna
Ram Prasad Bismil
Ram Prasad Bismil was one of the most notable Indian revolutionaries who fought British colonialism and made it possible for the nation to breathe the air of freedom after eons of struggle against the imperial forces, with a desire for freedom and revolutionary spirit reverberating in every inch of his body and poetry. Bismil, who was born in 1897, was a respected member of the Hindustan Republican Association alongside Sukhdev. He was also a participant in the infamous Kakori train heist, for which the British government condemned him to death.
- Born: 11 June 1897, Shahjahanpur
- Died: 19 December 1927, Gorakhpur Jail, Gorakhpur
- Cause of death: Execution by hanging
- Organization: Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
Chandra Shekhar Azad
Chandra Shekhar Azad, born in 1906, was a close companion of Bhagat Singh in the independence movement. He was also a member of the Hindustan Republican Association and the bravest and daring Indian freedom fighters against the British authorities. After murdering several opponents during a battle with British forces, he shot himself with his Colt pistol. He promised he’d never be caught alive by the British.
- Born: 23 July 1906, Bhavra
- Died: 27 February 1931, Chandrashekhar Azad Park
- Full name: Chandrashekhar Tiwari
- Education: Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith
Women Indian Freedom Fighters
There were several women freedom fighters responsible for the independence of India, let’s read about them.
Rani Lakshmi Bai
The Queen of Jhansi was born in the year 1828. She was one of the most fierce members of the Revolution of 1857. She inspired many women across the country to fight for the freedom of India and to date inspires several women to fight for their rights. She defended her palace with her newborn child in the year 1858 which was invaded by the British Forces.
- Born: 19 November 1828, Varanasi
- Died: 18 June 1858, Gwalior
- Full name: Manikarnika Tambe
- Famously Known As: Manu
Begum Hazrat Mahal
A woman of many roles – a mother, a queen and most importantly, a symbol of resistance. Born to a family with a very weak economic background, her maiden name was Muhammadi Begum. Sold at a very young age to the royal harem as an attendant, Begum Hazrat Mahal got a proper training in etiquettes. She was given the new name of ‘Mahak Pari’ in the Pari Khana and later became one of the wives under a contract of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. one of her biggest contributions to the freedom struggle was uniting Hindus and Muslims to come together as one force to fight the British. She proved her mettle as a leader. She even played an important role in encouraging and motivating women to step out of their homes and join the struggle for independence. She believed that women could do anything in the world, fight any battle and come out as winners.
- Born: 1820, Faizabad
- Died: 7 April 1879, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Famously Known As: Begum of Awadh
14 Most Famous Women Indian Freedom Fighters
Many women Indian freedom fighters played a key role in the Indian independence struggle whether through fighting for the country locally or at the upfront with men. Here are the top women freedom fighters of India:
- Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi
- Annie Besant
- Madam Bhikaji Cama
- Kasturba Gandhi
- Aruna Asaf Ali
- Sarojini Naidu
- Usha Mehta
- Begum Hazrat Mahal
- Kamala Nehru
- Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
- Jhalkari Bai
- Savitri Bai Phule
- Ammu Swaminathan
- Kittu Rani Chennamma