1. Andhra Pradesh
• Alluri Sitarama Raju: He was born on July 4, 1897, in Mogallu village near Bhimavaram (or Pandrangi), in present-day Andhra Pradesh, Bharat. The awe-inspiring revolutionary leader is revered across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Karnataka as “Manyam Veerudu” or the “Hero of the Jungle”. He is a household name in these states. While his audacious exploits and lightning strikes against the British rattled the authorities of the day, turning him into a much-revered, larger-than-life hero in these states, our history books have not accorded him the stature and importance he merits. The tall statue of this charismatic warrior, clad in ‘dhoti’ and ‘angavastram’, holding the bow and arrow, reminds one of Lord Rama who slew demonic forces and fought fearlessly against injustice and tyranny. His name ‘Sitarama’ truly symbolises the humility and kindness of Maa Sita and the courage and fortitude of Prabhu Shri Rama. He was a selfless freedom fighter who led an austere life devoted to the welfare and uplift of the underprivileged Adivasis in the Eastern Ghats region. Born in a humble middle-class family, Alluri Sitarama Raju’s schooling was disrupted following the untimely demise of his father. Thereafter, the spiritual quest of the teenage Sitarama Raju took him on a pilgrimage to various parts of the country including Nasik, Gangotri and Chittagong (now in Bangladesh). While undertaking these long journeys, he could see and was moved by the deprived socio-economic conditions of his fellow countrymen, particularly the tribals, under colonial rule. Alluri, a born rebel, became a sanyasi at the age of 18. He is famously remembered for leading the Rampa rebellion in 1922-24 in the Visakhapatnam-Godavari agency area of the then Madras Presidency. Fired by intense patriotism and a passion to free the nation from the clutches of the British, he opposed the exploitation of tribals by rulers in the wake of the Madras Forest Act, which had laid severe curbs on their movement in the forest area and prevented them from carrying out their traditional agricultural practice of Podu cultivation. He galvanised the tribals to fight against the injustices of the British. After sending chills down the spine of the British, the fierce revolutionary laid down his life for the freedom of the motherland in 1924, at the young age of 27 years.
• Chiluka Mallaiah was born and raised in Janda Gally, Nizamabad district, Hyderabad Samsthan (now in Telangana State), during the fervent days of the Indian Independence movement. His parents, Muttaiah and Lingamma, witnessed his upbringing amidst the tumult of those times. In the pivotal years of 1947–1948, Mallaiah found himself deeply entrenched in the evolution of the movement, which transitioned into a widespread anti-Nizam and anti-feudal struggle, advocating for Hyderabad’s integration with independent India. Despite his tender age of 14, he faced severe punishment, enduring torture at the hands of the Razakars.The tumultuous events continued as authorities raided the homes, discovering concealed weapons. Although the weapons were buried to avoid detection, Mallaiah and his family were still apprehended. Amidst the chaos, news of Mahatma Gandhis demise and the looting of the Hyderabad State Bank in Delhi added to the turmoil. As Hyderabad spiralled into conflict, Mallaiah and his comrades actively participated in the armed struggle. Post-Independence, Mallaiah received recognition for his contributions, receiving a state freedom fighter pension. With a deep sense of obligation to his community, he dedicated the rest of his life to social and village development activities, especially considering his familys financial and health struggles during the underground movement.
2. Arunachal Pradesh
• Matmur Jamoh: A tribal leader who led the resistance against British expansion into the Siang region, culminating in the historic revolt of 1911.
The dense forests and towering hills of Northeast India hide many untold stories of India’s freedom struggle. Among them is one of the most inspiring and emotional stories — that of Matmur Jamoh, the warrior and freedom fighter from the Adi janjaati group of Arunachal Pradesh. He was the village chief of Kemi-Tolon, now known as Yagrung, in the Siang Valley. His story is not just about personal revenge, but about the defense of janjaati pride, land, and culture. The year was 1909. The British Empire was expanding beyond Assam into the valleys of Arunachal Pradesh. British officer Noel Williamson, the Assistant Political Officer of Sadiya in Assam, entered the Siang Valley with his team. During the expedition, Williamson decided to stay at Kemi-Tolon village. He sent a message to village chief Matmur Jamoh, ordering him to arrange food, shelter, and all facilities for his stay. Matmur Jamoh refused outright.Jamoh deeply opposed British interference, the intrusion of white rulers, and the threat posed to the freedom of his people. For him, the traditional lifestyle and religious beliefs of the Adi community were supreme. He did not want the British interfering in any aspect of the janjaati people's life. His refusal was not merely a personal decision — it was the voice of the Adi community’s independence.Williamson took the refusal as a grave insult. He summoned Matmur Jamoh before the villagers, had him beaten with sticks, and humiliated him publicly. The public humiliation of a village chief was considered an insult to the entire community. Jamoh silently endured the humiliation, but inside him, the fire of revenge had begun to burn. He swore that the insult would one day be answered. For the next two years, Matmur Jamoh prepared quietly. He remained in contact with chiefs of nearby villages such as Kebang, Komsing, Pangi, Sisen, and Rottung. Secret meetings were held, young warriors were trained, and plans were made.Two years later, on March 20, 1911, Noel Williamson again entered the Siang Valley on an expedition. This time, he was accompanied by Dr. Gregorson, a medical officer, along with a large team. The group planned to stay in Komsing village for several days and strengthen British control over the Adi tribal region.However, near Sisen village, many of the porters carrying the expedition’s supplies fell ill. As a result, Dr. Gregorson stayed back there while Williamson continued toward Komsing village.When Jamoh learned of this, he gathered the Adi warriors he had secretly prepared and finalized a plan to attack the British expedition. The killing of Williamson triggered the Fourth Anglo-Abor War. The war lasted from October 6, 1911, to January 11, 1912, between British forces led by Major General Hamilton Bower and the Adi warriors led by Matmur Jamoh. The British responded brutally. Villages were burned, crops destroyed, and severe torture was inflicted upon Jamoh’s wife, son, and many members of the Adi community. To save his family and people from further suffering, Matmur Jamoh eventually surrendered.He was sent to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands, known as Kala Pani. After that, no further records of him were found. He remained one of India’s forgotten heroes. The story of Matmur Jamoh is not merely one of insult and revenge, but an immortal tale of self-respect and resistance. An ordinary village chief proved that when a person stands firmly for his honour, land, and culture, he can create history. His story reminds us that India’s freedom struggle was not fought only in the plains, but also in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Assam
• Kushal Konwar: A Tai-Ahom leader and non-violent activist who became the only martyr to be hanged during the final phase of the Quit India Movement (1942–1943). Kushal Konwar was born on 3 November 1905 in Simen Chapori, a village in Golaghat district in the Brahmaputra valley of Assam. His family was not wealthy but was not without education, and he trained as a teacher, a profession that placed him at the centre of his community’s aspirations for the future and gave him a platform of social respect from which his Congress work could proceed with some institutional credibility.
Accused of planning the derailment of a British troop train near Sarupathar in 1942, he was tried before a special wartime tribunal on evidence that was contested at the time and has been examined critically by historians since. His composure during trial and imprisonment, his refusal to seek clemency, and the specific quality of dignity he brought to his final weeks in Jorhat Central Jail place him in the company of the finest figures of the Indian revolutionary tradition. The Assam martyrs of 1942, including Kanaklata Barua, Mritunjoy Barua, and Mukunda Kakati, together represent a chapter of the freedom movement whose depth and courage the national narrative has never fully acknowledged. The Assam of his formation was a province that had been under British administration since 1826, following the Treaty of Yandabo that ended the First Anglo-Burmese War and transferred Assamese sovereignty to the East India Company. The specific texture of colonial rule in Assam was shaped by the province’s strategic importance as a source of tea, oil, and timber, and by the dramatic demographic changes brought by the immigration of tea garden labourers from central India and the settlement of Bengali Muslim agricultural communities in the Brahmaputra valley’s char lands.The Assamese cultural and political identity that Kushal Konwar grew up within was therefore one already navigating the complexities of a colonial province whose demographic and economic landscape had been transformed by the specific requirements of imperial extraction. The movement in Assam was not simply about independence from British rule. It was also about recovering an Assamese cultural and political voice in a province whose colonial transformation had made that voice increasingly difficult to hear. The Vaishnavite tradition of Assam, rooted in Srimanta Shankardev‘s sixteenth-century reform movement, provided Kushal Konwar with a spiritual framework whose emphasis on the equality of all persons, the sufficiency of direct devotion to the divine without caste-based intermediaries, and the moral imperative of a life lived in service to others was entirely consistent with the Congress movement’s values as he understood them. He was not a man for whom political conviction and spiritual life were separate dimensions of existence. They were expressions of the same fundamental orientation toward the world.
• Kanaklata Barua: The land of Assam has played a very important and strategic role in protecting our nation’s North-Eastern Culture, Languages, Customs and Tradition historically and during our 1000 years of freedom struggle. It is the Birth place of many great Dynasties like Kamarupa, Kamata, Bhuyan Chieftains, Kachari, Ahom, Koch Hajo etc and also gave birth to many great freedom fighters who selflessly fought for our nation’s freedom against the invaders’ rule .They sacrificed their life for that cause irrespective of their age and gender .One such example is “Lachit Bhorphukan” , a great son of Assam who served as an army general of the Ahom Dynasty and fought Valorously against the Mughal invaders and defeated them on many occasions while protecting his kingdom.Here let us remember The Great Daughter of Assam who fought against the British colonel rule during “Quit India Movement“, who was shot dead by the Britishers while trying to hoist the Indian Flag, who was just 17yrs old while she sacrificed her life for our nation’s freedom and her name was “Kanaklata Barua” also called as Birangana and Shaheed Kanaklata Barua.Kanaklata Barua was born on 22nd December 1924 to Krishna Kanta (Father) and Karneshwari Barua (Mother) at Borangabari Village, Gohpur, Darrang district, British Bharath presently known as Biswanath District, Assam, Bharath . She had a younger brother and sister , Rajanikanta Barua and Devabala Barua. She lost her mother when she was just five years old and her father Krishna Kanta re-married and after some years, he lost his life when Kanaklata was just 13yrs old. So to take care of her siblings, she dropped out of school and she completed her schooling only up to 3rd grade. Kanaklata Barua and her siblings where brought-up in her Grandmother’s Home in Gameri Village,while her Grandfather Ghana Kanta Barua was a famous hunter in Darrang and Her ancestors were from the Dolakasharia Barua kingdom of the erstwhile Ahom state who relinquished the Dolakasharia title and continued retaining the Barua title.Viceroy Linlithgow described the movement as “by far the most serious rebellion since 1857”. Kanaklata Barua’s father was a freedom fighter associated in the Swadeshi movement and her uncles were also actively participating in the freedom struggle which played a very important role in shaping her future and exposure to the freedom movement at a very young age. Although while she was doing her household chores like an ordinary girl and taking care of her siblings, she had a great knowledge on our nation’s glorious past and how cruelly we were conquered by the outsiders and ruled for many years from the stories heard from her Grandfather and uncles. Most Importantly the agitation and Protest done by the “Chaiduar Ryot Sabha” under the leadership of “Jyoti Prasad Agarwala” in 1931 and the Persecution of freedom fighters like Cheniram Das, Mahim Chandra, Lakidhar Sarma and Mahadev Sarma from her hometown made a great impact in her life and created a hatred against Britishers and their colonial rule. This made the way for her to actively take part in the freedom movement and participate in the “Quit India Movement” which was a turning point in her life. Having been deeply influenced by the freedom movement, she decided to join the camp and participate in the freedom movement and the Great freedom fighter “Jyoti Prasad Agarwala” established an organization called “Mrityu Bhaini(Death Squad)” in Tezpur to support the Quit India Movement. Kanaklata Barua joined the Mrityu Bahini wing of Ghopur Subdivision.Jyoti Prasad Agarwala decided to organize a peaceful protest and hoist the Tricolor flag on the Gohpur police station on 20th September 1942. It was decided that Kanaklata Barua would lead the protest and hoist the flag on the Gohpur police station. On 20th September 1942. She completed her daily household work as usual and for the last time she spoke to her siblings and told them to take care of themselves because she had a doubt that she might not return back home. With full heart she left her home and joined the protesters.She stood in front of the women Volunteers group by holding the tricolor flag and marched towards the Gohpur police station and when the protesters came near the gate of New Purubbari Tea Garden which is about 11/2Km from Gohpur Police Station , The volunteers took rest and judged that they would face danger near the Thana Gate. The Men Volunteers suggested the women Volunteers to line up behind them and march towards the police station but Kanaklata Barua strongly opposed the idea and told them that the women Volunteers will march infront and would face anything bravely and also sacrifice their life if needed and continued their march by shouting the slogan “DO or Die”. When they reached Thana they made a queue before the western gate and another march from the eastern part of the Gohpur like Kalabari, Kamdewal, Dubia etc led by Golok Pujari, Nirod Boran Das, Chandra Bardoloi, Mineswar Kakaty, Uma Bardoloi, Bhubaneswar Kakaty, Thaneswar Bora reached Thana and made queue infront of the Eastern Gate. Both started marching towards the police station but the police incharge led by Rebati Mahan Sunia held the protesters in the western gate and urged them to go back or else they will face very bad consequences and their life also would be in danger. But Kanaklata held the tricolor flag and made her position infront of the female queue and started to convince the Police that they have come here to hoist the flag and they will do it at any cost and any force can’t stop them from doing it. She entered the compound by pushing the gun aside with her hand and telling “You can kill our human bodies but not our souls made of iron. O Britishers! Whatever measures you adopt to stop us will fail. We shall continue to proceed.None can stop us from Hoisting our National Flag at the police post” and then the police opened fired on the unarmed volunteers and a bullet hit Kanaklata’s chest.She fell down but did not let the flag touch the ground. Soon another volunteer named “Mukund Kakaty” took the flag from her but even he was shot dead by the police. But their goal of hoisting the National flag was achieved by another volunteer “Rampati Rajkhowa” of Kamdewal who hoisted the National flag on the police station. Kanaklata Barua story was told in form of a movie by director Chandra Mudoi’s Epaah Phulil Epaah Xoril. and the Hindi version of the movie is Purab Ki Awaz, was also released to reach a wider audience.

4. Bihar
• Anugrah Narayan Sinha (Bihar Vibhuti):
He was born to Visveshwar Dayal Singh on 18th June 1887 in a family of Poiyavan village of the erstwhile Gaya district (today known as Aurangabad) of Bihar. As a lad his patriotic virtues were visible. A brilliant student from the beginning of his academic career, Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha obtained his initial education in the village school. From Junior school till graduation he topped the lists at every examination, obtaining an M.A. (History) in 1914 from the prestigious University of Calcutta. He became the Secretary of the Bihar Students Conference founded by Dr. Rajendra Prasad and the Chanakya Society of the Patna College. He served as a volunteer in the Patna Congress. In 1915, he was appointed a Professor of History at the T.N.B. college, Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur where he remained, known as an ideal professor, until 1916. He organised relief work when Bhagalpur was raved by floods. He began successfully practising law at Patna High Court.
He served as a teacher in “Bihar Vidyapeeth” founded by Dr.Rajendra Prasad for motivating young meritorious youths. Among his first students was young Jayprakash Narayan. He was the pivotal force behind the Civil Disobedience Movement, in the year 1930 which is considered an important milestone in the history of Indian Nationalism. His patriotism earned him 15 months of rigorous imprisonment in 1933-34. When a massive earthquake affected Bihar on 15 January 1934, Bihar Central Relief Committee was set up on 17 January 1934, under the Presidentship of Dr.Rajendra Prasad and Dr. Anugraha Narayan Sinha became its Vice-President. He took the task of raising funds to help the people and the relief and rehabilitation work was organised in an elaborate and efficient manner.
5. Chhattisgarh
• Veer Narayan Singh:
Veer Narayan Singh , born in 1795, was a landlord from Sonakhan, Chhattisgarh, who played a leading role in the 1857 Indian War of Independence in Chhattisgarh. He is considered as “The 1st Chhattisgarhi freedom fighter” and was hanged at Jaistambh Chowk in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. In 1856, the British arrested him for looting a trader’s grain stocks and distributing it among the poor during a severe famine year. With the help of soldiers from the British Army in Raipur, Veer Narayan Singh escaped from prison in 1857. He returned to Sonakhan and formed an army of 500 men. A powerful British army, led by Smith, was dispatched to crush the Sonakhan army. He was executed on December 10, 1857, at Jaistambh Chowk in Raipur. Veer Narayan Singh’s martyrdom has been revived in the 1980s, and he has become a symbol of Chhattisgarhi pride. He was the first martyr from Chhattisgarh in the War of Independence, and the government of Chhattisgarh named a cricket stadium, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, and three schools and a monument after him.

6. Goa
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia & Juliao Menezes: Initiated the civil disobedience movement against Portuguese rule on June 18, 1946, inspiring Goa’s ultimate liberation.
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, a prominent Indian freedom fighter and socialist leader, played a significant role in Goa’s liberation movement. Although not Goan by birth, Lohia’s involvement in the struggle was crucial in mobilizing mass protests against Portuguese rule. In 1946, Lohia visited Goa and called for a civil disobedience movement against the oppressive regime.
His speeches galvanized the Goan populace, leading to widespread demonstrations and strikes. The Portuguese authorities responded with brutal repression, but Lohia’s call for resistance had ignited a flame that could not be extinguished. His efforts helped bring international attention to Goa’s plight and intensified the demand for liberation.
Dr. Julião Menezes was another key figure in Goa’s freedom struggle. Born in 1909, Menezes was a physician and a fervent nationalist. He collaborated closely with Tristão de Bragança Cunha and played a vital role . Menezes used his medical profession as a cover to engage in political activities and spread nationalist sentiments. He also edited and published “The Free Goa,” a newsletter that highlighted the atrocities of Portuguese rule and advocated for independence. Menezes’ work in the freedom movement earned him imprisonment and persecution, but his dedication to the cause remained unwavering.

7. Gujarat
• Mohanlal Pandya ('Vadliwala Ba'): Known for picking crops from confiscated lands during the Kheda Satyagraha, earning him the nickname “Onion Thief” (Kanda Chor).
Mohanlal Kameshwar Pandya was born on June 21, 1872, in Kathlal, Kheda District, Gujarat, India. He received his primary and secondary education in Nadiad and graduated in agricultural sciences from Mumbai University in 1902. Initially, Mohanlal worked as an officer in the agricultural department of Gondal state and later transferred to Baroda state. Subsequently, he transitioned to the freedom struggle and lived underground from 1911 to 1915. During this period, he organized clandestine activities, working closely with a group of revolutionaries in Gujarat. Mohanlal established a secret printing press in the jungle, producing literature on bomb-making, including works titled ‘Vanaspati ni Davao’ (Medicinal herbs) and ‘Sabubanavavanirito’ (How to make soap). He left his job with the Vadodara state in 1911 and attended a political conference with Narhari Parikh in 1917.Mohanlal played a significant role in the Kheda satyagraha, where he was famously known as the ‘Dungalichor’ (the onion thief) for taking onions from government-seized farms. He led 75 volunteer groups from Gujarat in the Nagpur flag movement in 1923, resulting in a one-year imprisonment. In 1927, he engaged in flood relief work, and in 1928, he served as a commander in a Bardoli satyagraha camp, facing imprisonment once again. He collaborated with Ravishankar Maharaj during the Dandi March in 1930, leading to his incarceration from 1930 to 1932. Mohanlal remained actively involved with the Raniparaj Parishad of Bardoli Taluka and passed away on May 14, 1935.

8. Haryana
• Raja Nahar Singh: The Jat ruler of Ballabhgarh who organized resistance around Delhi during the 1857 Revolt and guarded the northern territory until his execution by the British. Born on April 23, 1823, in Ballabhgarh, Haryana, Raja Nahar Singh belonged to a lineage of valiant rulers. His family's rich history of leadership and governance laid the foundation for his sense of duty and responsibility towards his people. Raja Nahar Singh was not merely a ruler; he was a benevolent leader who prioritised the welfare of his subjects. His reign witnessed numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the underprivileged, emphasising education and healthcare.The annals of history remember Raja Nahar Singh for his fierce opposition to the British East India Company's oppressive rule. Unwilling to submit to foreign domination, he joined the uprising against the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the First War of Independence. Raja Nahar Singh's military acumen and strategic brilliance were evident as he led his forces against the British with valour and determination. His tactical manoeuvres and leadership inspired a sense of unity among the local rulers, making him a formidable opponent.The observance of Raja Nahar Singh Balidan Diwas on January 9th serves as a tribute to the ultimate sacrifice he made for the cause of India's independence. His steadfast commitment to the motherland, even in the face of adversity, symbolises the spirit of sacrifice and resilience.

9. Himachal Pradesh
• Baba Kanshi Ram: A revolutionary poet and social reformer who swore to wear only black clothes until India gained independence.
Baba Kanshi Ram entered wedlock at the age of seven. The bride, Saraswati Devi, was barely five. A quirk of fate brought Kanshi Ram to Lahore, where he got an opportunity to meet great men like Lala Hardyal, Sardar Ajit Singh and Maulvi Barquet Ali. He also met poet celebrities like Sufi Amba Parsad and Lal Chand 'Phalak', who composed the patriotic number “Pagri sambhal jatta….”As he was settling down in Lahore, a number of tragedies struck him one after the other. He lost his father in 1893, and then his mother in 1894. He was barely 13 years when the responsibility of running the household fell upon his shoulders. He had barely got over the grief of losing his parents, when his wife Sarawati Devi passed away, leaving behind two sons, Gian Chand and Suaya Ram.In 1905, a powerful earthquake rocked the Kangra valley. Lala Lajpat Rai led a team of Congress workers from Lahore to the valley and extended a helping hand to the quake-hit. Baba Kanshi Ram joined hands with Lalaji in the relief work.When the Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in 1919, Baba Kanshi Ram was in Amritsar. He resolved to take revenge on the rulers by forcing them to quit India. For raising a voice against the Britishers, he was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment on January 26, 1920. Once out from jail, he went to Kangra along with another compatriot Lala Kanshi Ram to disseminate the message of azadi. He recited his poems to spread the message.Baba Kanshi Ram was again arrested when he was reciting his self-composed poem to a gathering in Palampur. He went to jail 11 times, spending nine years of his life there. While smarting in various jails, he continued his relentless battle against the British by writing sensitive poetry. It was a sizzling day of April 1931 when news about the execution of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru seized the entire country with shock. On that fateful day, Baba Kanshi Ram took a solemn vow to wear black till the shackles of slavery were broken. This peculiar dress code earned him the affectionate soubriquet of “Shiaposh General” (General in black). At yet another public meeting held at Una (HP), which was graced by Sarojini Naidu, Baba Kanshi Ram recited some of his Pahari compositions. Greatly impressed by this poet gifted with a mellifluous and well-modulated voice, Naidu conferred on him the title Bulbul-e-Pahar. He came out with an anthology comprising 500 poems, eight short stories and a novelette, covering a number of subjects like metaphysics, mysticism, romance and hardships of farmers of this hilly land.The poems that he composed during imprisonment became very popular among the hill folk. The eight short stories that Baba Kanshi Ram wrote speak volumes about his uncanny knack of handling a subtle theme. In 1937, a political conclave was held at Garhdiwala (Hoshiarpur) where he was first addressed as Pahari Gandhi which he retained throughout his life. He maintained the sanctity of the vow till he passed away on October 15, 1943.

10. Jharkhand
• Telanga Kharia:
He was born on February 9, 1806, in Gumla, Jharkhand. This unsung hero fought against colonial injustices and paved the way for Indian independence.Kharia is also known for preparing the brewing ground for Birsa Munda‘s “Ulgulan” or revolt against the British and the Dikus– the outsiders. Telanga Kharia was also known as ‘Budha Sher’ (old lion) because of his incredible power even at 50. Telanga is derived from the Kharia word ‘Teblega,’ which indicates someone with excellent oratory and leadership abilities. He became interested in social and political issues when visiting the palace of Nagvashi King of Ratu with his father Thuiyan Kharia, who worked as a storekeeper there. Kharia began his campaign against British oppression in 1849. Enraged by the constant ill-treatment of his fellow tribesmen, Telanga Kharia started a full-fledged revolt against this oppressive system. He started recruiting people and creating awareness among them. He founded ‘Jodi Panchet’ (Jury Panchayats) at Gumla, Simdega, Sisai, Kolebira, and Chainpur, where he taught youths above the age of 20 how to use teer (arrow), bhala (speer), kulhadi (axe), barchi (harpoon), and pharsa (battleaxe).
Every hamlet had a Jodi Panchet that communicated when Britishers arrived. Due to their great organizational skills, the Britishers had a tough time locating them. Kharia amassed an army of approximately 1500 trained troops. He initiated a series of ambush operations against the British and their stooges using guerilla tactics. Telanga Kharia waged an active revolt against the British in Chotanagpur from 1850 to 1860, launching attacks from his forest hideouts to evade detection. His followers launched many attacks and raids on the British, thereby challenging their control. When the British realized they had underestimated the tribals, they began to hunt for Kharia.Unfortunately, one day, one of the Zamindar’s henchmen informed the British of his presence. The latter quickly encircled the Jury Panchayat which he had organized then and arrested him. He was initially brought to Lohardaga prison, and then relocated to Kolkata, where he was imprisoned for 18 years. After his release from prison, he reconvened with his followers at the Sisai Akhara with the purpose of revitalizing the cause. The British planned to get rid of him as soon as the information reached them.
On April 23, 1880, Telanga Kharia was shot while offering daily prayers by a British agent named Bodhan Singh. Telanga’s followers buried his body in Gumla district’s Soso Neem Toli hamlet, ‘Telanga Topa Tand’ is the name of the burial site. Chotanagpur residents revere this location. Every year on this day, the people remember his martyrdom, and a week-long ‘Shahid Telanga Mela’ is organized.Telanga Kharia is an inspiration for his bravery, sacrifice, and martyrdom for fighting against the mighty colonial power.
11. Karnataka
• Karnad Sadashiva Rao:
Karnad Sadashiva Rao was a prominent Indian freedom fighter and social reformer from Karnataka. He was born to Tulu-speaking family to Ramachandra Rao and Radhabai in the year 1881. He studied in Presidency college,Madras and later studied law in Mumbai. Sadashiva Rao's involvement in the Indian freedom movement was marked by his participation in various campaigns and activities against British colonial rule. He actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement. In addition to his role in the freedom struggle, he was a passionate social reformer. He worked tirelessly to address issues such as untouchability, the caste system, and women's rights. He believed in the power of education and was instrumental in setting up schools and educational institutions to uplift the marginalized sections of society. Keen to walk the Sarvodaya talk, he founded, with his wife Shantabai, the Mahila Sabha, which worked to rehabilitate widows not only by teaching them vocational skills but also organising their remarriages whenever possible, much to the disapproval of Mangaluru’s conservative community. Not that Sadashiva Rao would let that kind of thing faze him – soon after, he was setting up community kitchens for Dalits outside the very temples that would not admit them. A great believer in holistic education, he also set up a school called ‘Tilak Vidyalaya’ in his own house, where Hindi, spinning, weaving, and handicrafts were taught to keen students, age and caste no bar. He was also called ‘Gandhi of the South’.Karnad Sadashiva Rao passed away in 1937, but his legacy as a freedom fighter and social reformer continues to inspire generations. His contributions to the Indian independence movement and his work towards social justice and education have made him a revered figure. In recognition of his enduring impact, K. S. Rao Road in Mangalore is named after him, and Sadashivanagar in Bangalore was named in his honour in 1960. Additionally, the locality “K S Rao Nagara” in Mulki is also named after him.
• Mylara Mahadevappa:
Mailara Mahadevappa , also known as Mahadeva, was born on 8th June 1911 in Haveri, Karnataka, India. He was an Indian revolutionary who resisted British rule. His parents were Martandapp, also known as Martand, and Basamma. At the age of 18, he accompanied Mahatma Gandhi on the Dandi March as the only representative from Karnataka. Mailara Mahadevappa also participated in the non-cooperation movement called by Mahatma Gandhi. On 1st April 1943, Mailara Mahadevappa was killed by British police, along with his followers Tirakappa Madivalar and Veerayya Hiremath, while trying to break open the treasury where British officers had kept Land Revenue in Hosaritti Village Veerabhadra Swamy Temple, which they had collected forcefully from farmers. Mahadev Mailar used to collect back the Land Revenue and redistribute it to the concerned farmers. He passed away on 1st April 1943 in Hosaritti, Haveri, Karnataka, India.

12. Kerala
• Pazhassi Raja (Kottayam Kerala Varma): Used early guerrilla tactics (Cotiote War) against the East India Company in the dense forests of Wayanad from 1793 to 1805
The story of Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja is a magnificent saga of bravery that puts the very history of the freedom struggle in the dock. Pazhassi Raja is a victim of history’s treachery. His life is the heroic epic of a freedom fighter who was completely obscured and maliciously misinterpreted. He was a commander and ruler who had to simultaneously battle Tipu Sultan, the British, and power-hungry rivals within his own family. When fighting until death for the land, its people, and the glorious heritage of his motherland, there was only one thing that fueled Pazhassi Raja’s spirit – an intense devotion to his land and its traditions. In a letter written to Ayillath Nambiar on October 10, 1797, to organize the local forces, he demanded – “You must be aware that the Europeans have become strong in this holy land where Perumal and Bhagavathi reside. Shootouts have occurred several times at the posts they established in Kannoth and Manathana. Since this has been done solely against Bhagavathi and Perumal, I have decided to act against the Company.” Veera Pazhassi was a revolutionary who led armed struggles of workers and farmers to drive out imperialist, capitalist, and colonial forces 175 years gave concrete form to anti-capitalist ideas He was the guerrilla war hero who successfully deployed guerrilla tactics in the forests of Wayanad a quarter-century before such strategies were formulated in Europe. He was a military strategist who utilized the Westerner’s gunpowder and guns alongside the tribals’ poison-tipped arrows. British military commanders who led armies across the globe to build the “Empire on which the sun never sets” were forced to kneel before Pazhassi Raja.General Stuart, Walter Ewer, William Page, Wilkinson, and Duncan have all recorded a single truth – “If the four native armies of Chirakkal, Kottayam, Kadathanad, and Kurumbranad stand united, even the entire British army in Bharat cannot conquer them”. It was these British military officers who recorded that the modern, well-armed British army was rendered ineffective before Pazhassi’s army armed with bows and arrows. Records show that in three battles fought in the vicinity of Kozhikode, around one thousand white British soldiers and three thousand Indian sepoys were killed Not only were Major Cameron and Lieutenant Nugent killed, but weapons, military equipment, and the Royal Flag of England had to be surrendered before Pazhassi. It was the world’s greatest early victory in guerrilla warfare. It is in a land that has deliberately forgotten this magnificent victory, which took place on the soil of Malabar on March 18, 1797. Pazhassi Raja’s dominion included the hilly regions and forests of modern-day Kerala, stretching from Kozhikode to Kasaragod. However, he did not have the circumstances to rule with a capital, a palace, or defined borders. Pazhassi wrote a history of struggle spanning a twelve-year cycle (Vyazhavattam), alternating between hiding, constant movement, attacks, counter-attacks, and strategic retreats. He was a king who did not enjoy royal comforts for even a single day. If it was the European powers that came through the seashores of Kerala, it was Tipu Sultan of Mysore on the other side of the Wayanad hills. The goal of both was the same: to loot the soil and soul of Malabar. Pazhassi possessed no military power to withstand this double attack from both sides. He fought without modern weapons, thousands of soldiers, necessary wealth, or even enough food to fill half a stomach. It is said that the mothers of Wayanad, anxious that Pazhassi and his soldiers should not starve during their secret journeys through the forests, would wrap rice, salt, and green chilies in areca nut sheaths and hang them on the bent tips of bamboo clusters. Pazhassi Raja was a short man who wore a cloth reaching only down to his knees, with long hair and a thick, well-groomed beard. Pazhassi was convinced that politics should be based on Swadharma (one’s own righteous duty). This is evident in the letters he sent to local rulers – “If the gods of this land, Perumal and Bhagavathi, influence your mind, and if you have any regard for me, now is the time to show friendship. I inform you that we all stand on the side of our Dharma, that I stand with firmness, and that I have decided to act against the East India Company because their war is conducted solely against Bhagavathi, Perumal, and our land.” If the modern historical consciousness that writes off such brave declarations of war as merely “forest rebellions” is not a continuation of the British mindset, then what is it? All foreign political ideologies viewed Bharat as the enemy. The territories ruled by everyone from the Mughals to Tipu Sultan, the Dutch, the French, the Portuguese, and the British shared a common character. They destroyed the land’s agriculture and industry. They looted the forests. They directly and indirectly attacked temples and temple beliefs. They feared nationalism. Pazhassi Raja was the first lion’s roar to rise from the Indian forests against the extermination mentality of such foreign powers.Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja was the foremost leader among the brave patriots of the world who sacrificed themselves to ensure that their own religion, culture, rituals, and beliefs were not ground into dust under the feet of foreign conquests.
• Accamma Cherian:
Accamma Cherian was born in a small hamlet in Kanjirapally, Travancore (present-day Kerala) in 1909. Though a teacher by profession, she quit her job to join India’s freedom movement. The Dewan of Travancore using his discretionary powers suppressed the agitation in August 1938. This gave birth to a Civil Disobedience Movement, the first of its kind in Kerala. Leaders of the party were imprisoned, and the movement fell to pieces. It is said that just before the arrest of the President of the party, he nominated Accamma Cherian as his successor as he found her to be a bold, daring, and charismatic woman. She organized a massive rally to put pressure on the rulers to release the jailed leaders and to install a responsible government in Travancore.In October 1938, Accamma was entrusted by the party to organise the Desasevika Sangh (Female Volunteer Corps). She travelled tirelessly across the country and appealed to the women to join as members of the Desasevika Sangh. Her untiring efforts led to a surge in the number of women volunteers in the local bodies.Post-Independence, she was elected to the Travancore Legislative Assembly in 1947, and once she quit active politics in 1967, she served as a member of the Freedom Fighters’ Pension Advisory Board. Dubbed the “Jhansi Ki Rani of Travancore” for leading a massive rally of over 20,000 people against the British-backed Dewan.
13. Madhya Pradesh
• Tanya Bhil (Tantya Mama): An indigenous tribal who fought against British revenue collectors and redistributed confiscated wealth to the poor. Tantya Bheel, popularly called Tantya Mama, was born on 4 April 1842 in Barda village of Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh (MP). At a very young age he learnt archery from his father. He also learnt the baton-drill and sling-shot (dand sanchalan and Gofan). He was believed to have attained occult power as he grew older, and the people around began to worship him like a god. It is said that because of this power he was able resolve the disputes in the Gram-Sabha. Organizing the villagers, he even motivated them to undertake farming themselves and become self-dependent. This put the landlords into discomfort; so much that one of them killed his father. Not only this the landlords hatched a conspiracy and had Tantya thrown into jail on the false charge of theft.After this incident, he chose to leave his ancestral village and settled in the village of Sihora, located on the border of the then Holkar princely state. During this period, he came into contact with the great revolutionary hero of 1857, Tatya Tope. Deeply inspired by Tatya Tope, he carried the struggle for independence against the British into the remote regions of the dense forests.When the British administration learned of his activities, it cunningly devised a plot through a local chieftain and succeeded in arresting Tantya along with his aide, Dollya. However, the two warriors did not remain imprisoned for long. As soon as they found an opportunity, both escaped dramatically by using the jail terrace to flee. Thereafter, Tantya turned the regions of Khargon, Mandleshwar, and Maheshwar—now part of present-day Madhya Pradesh—into the central hub of his operations, subjecting the British government to severe and sustained difficulty. Left with few alternatives, the British eventually resorted to deception. They persuaded Tantya’s brother-in-law, Ganpat, to cooperate in a trap laid for his capture. One day, when Tantya visited Ganpat’s house during the festival of Raksha Bandhan to have a rakhi tied by his sister, Ganpat secretly informed the police, leading to Tantya’s arrest.Tantya was then put on trial in court, and in the end, the courageous Tantya Bhil was sentenced to death. He was hanged and attained martyrdom on 4 December 1889.
14. Maharashtra
• Umaji Naik: A Ramoshi leader who organized an early armed rebellion against British rule in the Western Ghats between 1826 and 1831.
Umaji Naik was born on 7 September in Bhivadi village of Maharashtra. Umaji Naik belonged to the Ramoshi tribe. It is said that they migrated from today’s Telangana to Maharashtra. Ramoshi tribe was the fighter class in the army of Marathas. As Ramoshis were the fighter class, they were given the responsibility of safeguarding the Maratha forts. Umaji’s father Dadaji Khomane was the custodian of Purandar fort. Under his father’s supervision Umaji learned various self- defence techniques like handling axe archery, javelin throwing, and many more. It will not be an exaggeration to say that he was unknowingly preparing himself to be the valiant freedom fighter. He was also the devotee of Lord Khandoba. Everything was going well for the Ramoshis till the British intervention. After subjugating Peshwas, Britishers ordered them to exclude the Ramoshi from the army. This came as major blow for them as they turned unemployed within fraction of seconds. In retaliation to this act of Britishers, Umaji started armed resistance against them. He started looting those wealthy landlords who supported Britishers. During this turmoil he got caught by Britishers and was sentenced to 7 years of jail.
Umaji, refused to give up against Britishers and utilize this period of his imprisonment to educate himself. After completing the period of his imprisonment, he accelerated his protest with double force. In the year 1825, Umaji with his loyal soldiers looted the British arsenal near Bhamburda. This was first great move from him. Frustrated Britishers issued the price money for the one who will help them to catch Umaji. To the eternal surprise of Britishers, Umaji answered this with the loot of villages Kikavi, Parinche, Saswad and Jejeuri. This time Britishers increased the price money to 1200rs. But looking at Umaji’s efforts, people from rural area started supporting him in his work. Around 13 villages gave the annual tax to Umaji instead of Britishers. This came as a blow to the military might of Britishers. But they were aware of this fact that it was difficult to capture them in actual face to face battle. Cunning Britishers captured Umaji’s family members and made him surrender. To everyone’s surprise they did not kill Umaji. Instead, they made him work for them. But Umaji being a true son of soil didn’t stop his protest and manage to get out their subjugation.Alexander Mackintosh was appointed by the British government to capture the Umaji. Pune Collector George Gilburn issued a manifesto against Umaji on 26 January, 1831 and again lured the public with money, but no one complained against Umaji. He then issued his manifesto against the British government (16 February, 1831). This manifesto is also known as the ‘Independence Manifesto’. In this manifesto Umaji advices the common public to not to co-operate with Europeans and specially Britishers. The soldiers in the army of Britishers were advised to defy the orders of their British masters. Those people whose land had confiscated by the Britishers were advised to join the Umaji’s armed revolt and no village should pay revenue to the British, otherwise those villages would be destroyed.It was mentioned that Umaji has issued this manifesto for all of India. The concept of whole India as one country or one nation is seen in this. After this declaration, Umaji issued a leaflet addressed to ‘All Gadkari Naiks’ and called for a revolt against the British. The former and his accomplices literally created havoc in Kolhapur, Solapur, Sangali, Satara, Pune and Marathwada. Many British officers were appointed to settle them. On August 8, 1831, the Britishers issued another proclamation offering more money and 400 bighas of land. Umaji’s two companions, Kalu and Nana, fell victim to this bait. Umaji was captured on 15 December, 1831 and handed it over to the British. Umaji was then hanged by the British on 3 February, 1834 at Pune. It was the first revolutionary effort by the grassroots against the British rule in Maharashtra in the early nineteenth century.

15. Manipur
• Bir Tikendrajit Singh:
Bir Tikendrajit Singh the crown prince of Manipur, was one of the earliest Indian royals to resist British colonial rule. Popularly known as the Lion of Manipur, he fought valiantly against the British, but was eventually captured and executed. He was born to Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh, the Meitei king of Manipur, and Chongtham Chanu Kouseswari Devi. Known affectionately as Koireng, he displayed a strong love for freedom from a young age.
Tikendrajit, born on the 29th December, 1855, Saturday, as the fourth and only son of King Chandrakirti’sfourth queen ChongthamChanuKouseshwari Devi, revealed signs of his future potential. As a mark of the auspiciousness of his birth, a yajna was performed at the precincts of the HiyangthangLairembi (equated with the Goddess Durga), with milk from 108 cows offered to the Goddess. As a youth reared in the highest traditions of the classical polity, he was offered the best values and experiences of the Manipuri nobility. He was trained in the fighting arts of the warrior race, in the study of the HuyenLallong (art and strategies of war). Sword and spear training was given by Yengkhoiba Chaoba, a veteran soldier. At the age of 12 years, he became a champion horse-rider and an avid Polo player. His teacher in the art of horsemanship was Bedam Singh, a veteran of the SagolLanmee(Cavalry Unit, which used the poisoned sling-spear ‘Arambai’ in the wars against the Burmese in the early 18th century). The relevance of the cavalry was gradually reduced due to the increasing importance of gunpowder and musketry. But upkeep and management of the equine population were still necessary, since the horse was a status symbol of the ranked nobility, which had been institutionalised since the seventh century. Again the game of SagolKangjei (originator of Polo), which had its mythical origins in the state was still a vital spiritual engagement for martial training, health as well as chivalry. The training in horsemanship and related games were for enhancement of the culture for development of the codes for war and chivalry in the act of war. Tikendrajit’s endearment with the horse was so overpowering that not a single horse in the royal stables was left unharnessed by him.
Tikendrajit and Thangal General were hanged in an open place before the general public on August 13, 1891. A protest movement launched by women at the very moment could not save the martyrs and Manipur. The Britishers knew that a nationalist like Tikendrajit was a stumbling hurdle in their colonial designs. In his absence the transformation of Manipur into a British colony was inevitable.
The State of Manipur celebrates this day, August 13, as Patriot’s Day to remember their role in the freedom struggle. Tikendrajit, indeed, was a nationalist par excellence. The people of Manipur would always cherish him as a symbol against tyranny.

• Rani Gaidinliu:
Rani Gaidinliu was born on 26 January 1915 at Nungkao (or Longkao) village in the present-day Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong District, Manipur. Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual and political leader who led a revolt against British rule in India. At the age of 13, she joined the Heraka religious movement of her cousin Haipou Jadonang. The movement later turned into a political movement seeking to drive out the British from Manipur and the surrounding Naga areas. Within the Heraka faith, she came to be considered an incarnation of the Goddess Cherachamdinliu. Gaidinliu was arrested in 1932 at the age of 16, and was sentenced to life imprisonment by the British rulers. Jawaharlal Nehru met her at Shillong Jail in 1937, and promised to pursue her release. Nehru gave her the title of “Rani” (“Queen”), and she gained local popularity as Rani Gaidinliu. She was released in 1947 after India's independence, and continued to work for the upliftment of her people. An advocate of the ancestral Naga religious practices, she staunchly resisted the conversion of Nagas to Christianity. She was honoured as a freedom fighter and was awarded a Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
16. Meghalaya
• Tirot Sing Syiem:
The story of the Indian freedom struggle in the Khasi hills of Meghalaya would remain incomplete without U Tirot Sing Syiem. The Khasi, Garo and Jaintia Hills were brought by the British under their political control in phases after their annexation was complete. There was vehement resistance from the traditional chiefs and local leaders of the region. Tirot Sing was the Syiem (Chief) of a Khasi kingdom called Nongkhlaw situated in the mid-western Khasi hills of Meghalaya. He was born in 1802 and traced his lineage from the Syiemlieh clan. He was therefore addressed as the Syiem by the common people of the hills who respected him for his fine leadership qualities. After the first Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26) and the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826), the British Government decided to occupy the Brahmaputra to connect the two valleys of the Brahmaputra and the Surma by an all-weather road. Such a road could be constructed only through the Hima Nongkhlaw territory of the Khasis. It happened to be the fastest route to connect Assam and Sylhet with the rest of Bengal. The objective was to link the two important British headquarters – Kamrup (currently Guwahati) with Sylhet (in present-day Bangladesh). Connecting both these Valleys was of strategic importance for the British, to ensure speedy and safe movement of their troops by improving the road communication. The political agent of the British at the North-Eastern Frontier, David Scott, requested Tirot Sing to grant them permission for the construction of this road. Scott proposed that in lieu of the permission, Tirot Sing would be given control of the duars and the check-posts which passed through Assam. They also assured him of free trade along the proposed road. Tirot Sing consented to this proposal after a two-day long consultation with his durbar, believing that it will improve connectivity in the area. After the construction of this road began, Raja Balaram Sing of Rani in present-day Assam disputed Tirot Sing’s claim over the duars. When Tirot Sing went to confront him with his troops, the British gave a cold shoulder and betrayed him at the last moment.They were forcefully penetrating into the hills, occupying lands and imposing their own belief systems on the locals. Being the Raja, Tirot Sing strongly resented against such arbitrary actions of the foreigners. The Khasis thus decided to drive away the foreigners from the hills, which ultimately led to the Anglo-Khasi war of 1829-1833. Tirot Sing played an exemplary role in this battle. Soon, he received the news that the British were bringing in further reinforcements from Guwahati and Sylhet. He understood that they wanted to grab the entire territory lying between the Brahmaputra and the Surma Valleys.Alarmed at the threat to his kingdom, he served a notice to the British asking them to leave Nongkhlaw immediately. But, they paid no attention to his orders. He thus declared a war against the British for their attempt to colonise the Khasi hills. It was on the night of April 4, 1829 that Tirot Sing’s forces attacked the British garrison at Nongkhlaw in which two officers were killed and a few others suffered major casualties. Tirot Sing and his army fought for four years continuously without surrendering.He selected special bands of warriors and deployed them in secret caves in the hills to produce ammunition. They terrorized the British officers posted in the Khasi hills by conducting lethal night raids on their outposts. They also employed various locally-developed techniques of guerilla warfare. They used the knowledge of their hilly terrain to their utmost advantage. Tirot Sing’s patriotic valour could not be dampened even after he sustained a severe bullet injury. He was known for his deft organizational skills, supported by efficient spies. His immortal words – “Better to die an independent king than reign as the vassal” – infused strength and courage among his people. In January 1833, he was captured by the British forces from his hiding spot in the hills. After a brief trial, he was deported to Dhaka. He died on July 17, 1835 at the Dhaka Central Jail. His name is immortalised at the Martyr’s Column in Shillong, along with the names of the Garo leader Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma and the Jaintia warrior U Kiang Nangbah. A life-size statue of Tirot Sing was unveiled last year on his 186th death anniversary at Madan Mot Tirot, Mairang. Tirot Sing’s death anniversary is commemorated in Meghalaya every year on July 17 (declared as a state holiday). Government of India released a postage stamp in his honour in the year 1988.

17. Mizoram
• Pasaltha Khuangchera:
Shoorvir Pasaltha Khuangchera stood out as one of the most courageous freedom fighters haile from Serchhip District, Mizoram, India. He played a pivotal role in defending the region against the British incursion and their attempts to forcibly occupy the state. Pasaltha Khuangchera, along with his comrades, valiantly defended their homeland against three separate British contingents. Mizoram was ultimately brought under colonial rule towards the end of the 19th century. The resistance against British colonialism in the Lushai Hills was just as resolute as in any other part of India. The primary objective of colonialism was to assert British supremacy over the Mizo people while encroaching upon their sovereign territory. In 1895, the region was formally incorporated into the British Empire. Pasaltha Khuangchera was not only renowned for his bravery but also for his unwavering strength and righteousness, which earned him the admiration and respect of his people. He tragically lost his life in 1890 while endeavoring to thwart the advance of British forces, a significant event that marked the British conquest of the Lushai Hills. He is remembered as the first Mizo freedom fighter to make the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle against British imperialism.

18. Nagaland
• Haipou Jadonang:
Haipou Jadonang Malangmei, the unsung hero who was the son of Ma Bharati and a freedom fighter from the Naga Hills of Poorvottar Bharat, he not just put all his efforts to fight the British colonialism.
Haipou Jadonang was the youngest of the three sons of Thindai (father) and Tabonliu (mother) and was born in the year 1905 at Kambiron (Puilon) village in Tamenglong district of Manipur. He was one of the first Nagas to claim to be the ‘Messiah King’ of the Nagas and strove to liberate his people from British rule. Playing the role of a God – King, he became popular for his prophesies, healing power, religious and social activities. He organised his people into an effective resistance against British rule. His movement popularly called the Naga Raj spread like wildfire and engulfed the whole Zeliangrong areas and further widened its influence to neighbouring areas. Subsequent to the widespread uprising in the area, the British initiated plans to bring down Haipou Jadonang and crush his Naga Raj. The Political Agent of Manipur State, J. C. Higgins finally succeeded in arresting Haipou Jadonang on the 19th of February 1931 at Cachar. About a month later, he was taken to Imphal and was imprisoned in Imphal Jail while prosecution against him and some of his followers was going on at the court of the Manipur Political Agent. On the 29th of August, a day that is observed by all Zeliangrong inhabited areas, he was hung by the order of the British Government at the banks of the Nambul River. It was thus that this pioneer of the anti – colonial movement in the Northeastern region of India became a martyr.
19. Odisha
• Laxman Nayak:
Lakshman Nayak was a brave tribal freedom fighter who played an important role in India’s struggle for independence, especially among the tribal communities of Odisha. He belonged to the Bhumia (Bhuiyan) tribal community and emerged as a symbol of courage, resistance, and sacrifice. He actively participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942 and worked to spread nationalist ideas among tribal people and mobilized them against British rule. His leadership helped awaken political consciousness in remote and marginalized regions, where British exploitation and oppression were severe. During the Quit India Movement, he led peaceful protests and encouraged non-violent resistance. However, the British authorities falsely accused him of involvement in the killing of a forest guard. Despite lack of evidence and widespread protests demanding justice, he was arrested and subjected to an unfair trial. He was sentenced to death by the British government. On 29 March 1943, he was hanged in Berhampur Jail. His execution deeply shocked the tribal population and strengthened resistance against colonial rule. Lakshman Nayak is remembered as a martyr of the freedom struggle and a hero of tribal resistance. His sacrifice highlights the vital contribution of tribal communities in India’s independence movement. Today, he is honored in Odisha as a symbol of bravery, justice, and patriotism, and his life continues to inspire generations to stand against oppression and fight for freedom.

20. Punjab
• Kartar Singh Sarabha:
Kartar Singh was born on 24 May 1896 in village Sarabha of district Ludhiana. His father’s name was Mangal Singh and his mother was Sahib Kaur. He was from a well-heeled family and far ahead of their co-villagers in respect of land ownership, education, and standard of living. In childhood, his parents passed away and he was raised by his grandfather. With him, he lived in Odisha and studied at Ravenshaw College.Thousands of Punjabis had moved to foreign countries in search of greener pastures by the first decade of the twentieth century. Sarabha arrived in San Francisco in July 1912 with the intention of studying electrical engineering at the University of California, Berkley. His time in California altered the course of his life. Sarabha, like many other immigrants, was working as a labourer in California at the time. It was there that he realized the humiliation of being from a colonised country. There, Indians were referred to as Hindu slaves. Indians in America frequently gathered to discuss their problems and share their grief. Sarabha became agitated about British rule as a result of such associations and exchanges. Americans hostility toward immigrants in general, and immigrants from colonies in particular, was palpable. The Indian immigrants who settled on Canadas and Americas Pacific coasts vowed to expel the British from India, and this thought transformed them into uncompromising rebels determined to do or die.The Ghadar Party was founded in Oregon in 1913. This revolutionary party was founded by Sohan Singh Bhakna, Pt. Kanshi Ram, Harnam Singh Tundilat, Lala Har Dayal, and others. It was an Indian organisation that sought to overthrow British rule in India through an armed uprising. The organizations headquarters were in San Francisco. Sarabha became more involved in it.The Ghadar was initially published on cyclostyle machine in Urdu only. The Gurmukhi edition of the paper was also published in January 1914. With the increasing demand for the Ghadar, the papers management established its own printing press at 5 Wood Street. To begin, Har Dayal was the editor, and Kartar Singh was the subeditor. Kartar Singhs responsibilities included editing the Urdu version of Ghadar, translating Urdu material into the Gurmukhi script, and working on the printing press.In the Komagata Maru episode, the Ghadar Party President instructed Sarabha to stock his shop with pistols and cartridges. Kartar Singh Sarabha had secretly delivered 100 pistols and ammunition on board on 21 July 1914. On 28 July 1914, WWI broke out. The Ghadarites saw it as an opportunity to launch an attack on the British. They intended to relocate their base to India in order to organise the people there. Kartar Singh on 14 September arrived in Colombo (Ceylon) and travelled to Punjab.He arrived in Punjab and convened numerous ghadarite meetings. On behalf of the party, he also contacted troops in Ferozepur, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and other cantonments. He established contact with Bengal revolutionaries and invited Ras Bihari Bose to lead this movement in Punjab. When Bose arrived, the planning for an uprising began. The date was set for 21 February 1915, but it was later pushed back to 19 February. Kirpal Singh, a returnee from abroad, was working as a police spy, and thus the entire plan was revealed to British authorities. The British clamped down on the activists and arrested them before the Ghadarites could stage an uprising.Kartar Singh, Jagat Singh, and Harnam Singh Tundilat took the Frontier Mail from Lahore to Peshawar on 20 February to reach the Tribal Region across the border. After disembarking in Peshawar, they trekked to their remote destination. Here, Sarabha made the decision to return to Punjab and restart their struggle. On 2 March 1915, they arrived at a remount farm in Chak No. 5 of Shahpur (Sargodha) district to stay with one Rajindar Singh, a military pensioner and an acquaintance of Jagat Singh, himself an ex-soldier. Rajindar Singh, on the other hand, arrested them with the assistance of Risaldar Ganda Singh of Gandiwind village. All three were apprehended and transported to the Lahore Central Jail, where they were charged in the First Lahore Conspiracy Case. The trial began on April 26, 1915, under the Defence of India Act 1914, and the verdict was delivered on 13 September 1915. He was charged under sections 121, 121A, and 131 of the IPC. In court, Kartar Singh Sarabha was unapologetic and proudly stated his duty of mobilizing the people against the British. His unwavering patriotism turned the judges against him. Kartar Singh was deemed the most dangerous of the rebels by the court.“ He is very proud of the crimes he committed,” the judges said. He does not deserve mercy and should be executed.“ Sarabha and his seven fellow countrymen were executed in the Lahore Central Jail on 16 November 1915. Kartar Singh Sarabha was hanged by British authorities when he was only nineteen years old. His bravery, activism, and dedication to the cause of Indian freedom were heroic. He became a source of inspiration and courage for later freedom fighters. This is especially true for Bhagat Singh, who saw Kartar Singh Sarabha as an idol. Sohan Singh Bhakna, the President of the Ghadar Party fondly called him his ‘General’.
21. Rajasthan
• Sagarmal Gopa:
Sagarmal Gopa (Aged 46) a freedom fighter and patriot from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan was born on 3 November 1900. His father, Akhairaj Gopa, was a courtier in Maharawal Jawahar Singh’s court. Sagarmal Gopa recorded the atrocities of Jawahar Singh, the contemporary ruler of Jaisalmer, in his book “Jaisalmer ka Gundaraj,” after which the enmity between Jawahar Singh and Sagarmal Gopa increased.In 1921, Sagarmal Gopa took an active part in the non-cooperation movement and opposed the anti-people policies of the then rulers of Jaisalmer. He was expelled from Jaisalmer and Hyderabad. Even in exile, he continued to work for the freedom movement. After his father’s death in 1941, he returned to Jaisalmer and was arrested on 25 May 1941. Sagarmal Gopa was tortured in prison for years and was burnt to death on 4 April 1946. The “Gopal Swaroop Pathak Commission” was formed to investigate the murder of Sagarmal Gopa, which, under the influence of Jawahar Singh, declared this murder as suicide.Gopa wrote three books: “Aajadi Ke Diwane,” “Jaisalmer Ka Gundaraj,” and “Raghunath Singh Ka Mukadma.” The Government of India issued a postage stamp in 1986 in honor of Sagarmal Gopa, and a branch of Indira Gandhi Canal is named after him.
22. Sikkim
• Helen Lepcha (Sabitri Devi):
Helen Lepcha (Aged 78) was born on January 14, 1902, in Sangmu Village (South Sikkim), India. Despite dropping out of school, she joined the Charkha and Khaddar movements in the hills in 1917. In 1918, she went to Calcutta and learned the art of spinning under the guidance of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s granddaughter at her charkha training centre. In 1920, Bihar was devastated by floods, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. Helen selflessly assisted the flood-ravaged people and toured famine-stricken areas with determination. During her volunteering efforts, she met Mahatma Gandhi. He invited her to the Ashram and renamed her Savitri Devi since the name “Helen” gave the impression that she was a foreigner.In 1921, after a meeting at Muhammad Ali Park in Calcutta, Helen the Non-cooperation Movement. She led a procession of over 10,000 mine workers from the Jharia coal fields (now in Jharkhand) to protest against the exploitation of tribal laborers and their replacement. This led to her arrest on January 29, 1922. Along with 12 others, Helen was imprisoned at the Darjeeling Sadar Jail for three months. Later, she was put under house arrest in Kurseong for three years.In 1939-40, when Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was held captive at his house in Kurseong, Helen helped him escape. In 1942, she actively participated in the Quit India Movement. On August 15, 1972, Helen’s contributions were recognized with the Tamra Patra and a pension for freedom fighters. She passed away on August 18, 1980, in Uttar Pradesh, India.

23. Tamil Nadu
• Tiruppur Kumaran (Kodi Kaatha Kumaran):
Tiruppur Kumaran, a valiant Indian revolutionary and freedom fighter, stands as an enduring symbol of courage and sacrifice in the struggle for Indian independence. Born in 1904 in Chennimalai, a small town in Tamil Nadu, Kumaran was deeply moved by Mahatma Gandhi's call for Swaraj, or selfrule. He dedicated his life to the cause, actively participating in protests and demonstrations against British colonial rule. His unwavering commitment to the nation's freedom was evident in his active involvement with the Desa Bandhu Youth Association, a group dedicated to promoting nationalist ideals and challenging British authority. Kumaran's most defining moment came on January 11, 1932, during a protest march in Tiruppur against the British government. Despite facing brutal police repression, including lathi charges, Kumaran refused to relinquish the Indian national flag, which was then banned by the British. He held the flag aloft even as he sustained severe injuries, a testament to his unwavering patriotism and determination. He succumbed to his injuries later that day, becoming a martyr for the cause of Indian independence. His selfless act of bravery earned him the moniker “Kodi Katha Kumaran,” meaning “Kumaran who protected the flag.” His sacrifice inspired countless others to join the freedom movement and remains a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by ordinary individuals in the pursuit of national liberation. Though his life was tragically cut short at the young age of 27, Tiruppur Kumaran's legacy continues to resonate, solidifying his place as a revered figure in Indian history and a symbol of unwavering dedication to the nation's freedom. His story serves as an inspiration for generations to come, reminding them of the importance of courage, conviction, and sacrifice in the pursuit of a just and independent nation.
• Velu Nachiyar: Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730–1796) was an 18th-century queen of Sivaganga in present-day Tamil Nadu.She was the princess of Ramanathapuram and the only child of Raja Chellamuthu vijayaragunatha Sethupathy and Rani Sakandhimuthal of the Ramnad kingdom.At the age of 16, she married the prince of Sivaganga, Muthuvadugananthur Udaiyathevar. She is also known as Veeramangai.Skills: She was trained in handling various weapons, horse riding, archery, and traditional martial arts such as Silambam and Valari.She was also a distinguished scholar. She was proficient in multiple languages, including Tamil, English, French, and Urdu. She raised a formidable army that included a dedicated women’s battalion and the queen named her women’s army “Udaiyaal” in her adopted daughter’s honour.Her army commander Kuyili, participated is considered the “first woman martyr” and the first suicide bomber in Indian history. She was the first queen to fight for freedom from the British in India. She granted powers to the Marudu brothers to administer the country in 1780.

24. Telangana
• Komaram Bheem: Tribal leader who coined the famous slogan “Jal, Jangal, Zameen” (Water, Forest, Land) while fighting against the British and Nizam forces in Asifabad. Komaram Bheem is known as the brave warrior of Telangana. He was a Gond(Indigenous) tribal and was born on 22nd October. Komaram Bheem birthplace was Jodeghat of Asifabad in Adilabad district of Telangana. The Gonds took a small part of the population as the area which was ruled by Chanda (Chandrapur) and Ballapur. The tribes used to have little interaction with the exterior world. Komaram Bheem also had no exposure to the exterior world and was an uneducated man. Inspite of these factors, he raised in an uprising movement against the Nizam cruelties and achieve a household name in the rescue movement of his people. The Asif Jahi rule in Hyderabad was a period in which the Hindu population faced the brunt of the rudeness from the Nizams. The Nizam unleashed untold atrocities on the people. Taxes were raised to exorbitant levels, women were dishonored, and men were harassed for unknown reasons. An overall exploitation of the masses became the order of the day. The names of the districts in Telangana region were changed. In his growing years, Komaram Bheem witnessed these unjust practices. His heart wept for his people and the fire of rebellion smoldered within him. Stories of the sacrifices made by other tribal leaders and that of Shaheed Bhagat Singh who laid down his life for his motherland greatly inspired Komaram. It provided the right motivation to awaken the rebel within him. He gave the slogan “Jal, Jungle Jameen” (people living in forests should have the complete rights on all the resources of the forest). In Komaram’s struggle, passion and a deep resolve to bring justice to his people were his main weapons. Given his background he could not gather sophisticated weapons. Nevertheless, he surged forward with his strong resolve to bring an end to the rule of the Nizam. However, these were sufficient to unsettle the local Talukdar Abdul Sattar. Shaken and scared to lose, Abdul Sattar turned to the Police for their support. In 1940, a force of 90 well-armed policemen raided the hideout of Komaram. Despite being armed with only primitive weapons like muzzle loaders, spears, lances, bows and arrows and swords, Komaram and his group of warriors fought with such resolve and bravery that it is etched deeply in the memoirs of History.Komaram however suffered fatal injuries and died in that battle. His death is remembered till this day as that of a martyr who died fighting against the injustices of the Nizams and for the cause of liberating his people. His bravery and valor has earned him a God-like status. He is worshiped in many households.
25. Tripura
• Ratan Mani Reang:
Ratan Mani Reang was a spiritual leader and freedom fighter who led the historic Reang Uprising (1942–1943) against the monarchy and oppressive taxation systems in the princely state of Tripura. Known as Lokman Sadhu or Ratanmanichari, he mobilized indigenous communities for social reform, self-reliance, and basic rights. Led an ascetic life, wore a rudraksha garland, and preached teachings from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas.Resided initially near the Chittagong Hill Tracts before coming to influence the Reang population in Tripura. Attracted a large following of disciples who embraced his spiritual and moral guidance. The Reang Uprising (1942–1943) : Organized indigenous tribes to protest heavy taxes, forced labor, and exploitation by state officials and local elites. Challenged the feudal authority of the Tripura princely administration.Left a lasting impact on local democratic and resistance movements.
Legacy : Remembered as “Bidrohi Ratanmani Reang,” with statues and memorials dedicated to his role in tribal resistance. Inspired social work and educational initiatives through groups like the Ratanmani Seva Mission in the Dhalai district of Tripura.

26. Uttar Pradesh
• Durga Devi Vohra (Durga Bhabhi): Key member of HSRA who disguised herself to help Bhagat Singh escape Lahore and actively financed revolutionary operations. Durgavati Devi, wife of Bhagwati Charan Vohra, has been an enigmatic figure in the saga of Indian Freedom struggle. She represents the class of female freedom fighters who remained in anonymity for the most part of our history writing in independent India, yet whose contribution was no less than their male peers. As a part of this section of women fighters, Durgavati Devi, also known as Durga Bhabhi, by the virtue of her marriage to the leading revolutionary Bhagwati Charan Vohra, stands in the first line of the revolutionary freedom fighters of India. Durgavati Devi was born in Prayagraj and she moved to Lahore upon her marriage. Soon after her nuptials Durgavati gave birth to Sachidananda or Sachi in 1925. In the early part of her marriage Durgavati was not an active member of the revolutionary activities in Lahore of 1920’s. Instead, she was active in girl’s education in Lahore College, an activity that she remained involved until 1929, when she was forced to go into hiding. It was, when Bhagat Singh had to run away from Lahore upon Saunders killing, that we hear about her first direct involvement into the activities of revolutionaries in Lahore, Punjab. At that point in time, Bhagwati Charan Vohra had gone to Calcutta, leaving Durgavati and their son behind in Lahore. He left a huge sum of money for her use in his absence. At the same exact moment, Bhagat Singh along with Rajguru and others had planned to kill police officer Saunders to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Upon killing him, the revolutionaries ran towards Bhagwati Charan Vohra’s house. As a part of the revolutionary protocol, Durgavati gave them safe haven without asking any question. As a part of his escape plan, Bhagat Singh asked for Durgavati Bhabhi, and she readily decided to help him, even while knowing that their plan was unconventional and controversial. She agreed to act as his wife, with Sachi as their son. Rajguru became their luggage bearing servant, and pretending to be a young family they conned the British and left Lahore in the first-class Railway journey to Lucknow. From Lucknow, Bhagat Singh sent a telegram to Bhagwati Charan that he was coming to Calcutta with ‘Durgavati’ prompting Vohra to ask: ‘Who is this Durgavati?’ Durgavati reached Calcutta and met with her husband, surprising Bhagwati Charan Vohra, who after hearing about her act exclaimed ‘I never knew that I married a Revolutionary!’. Besides helping Bhagat Singh, Durgavati Devi, along with many women in the revolutionary circles had been a ready conduit of information and help to the revolutionaries in their dire circumstances. She is known to have given shelter to the revolutionaries running from the British police, supported many families of revolutionaries. At the same time Bhagwati Charan Vohra was testing bombs in the woods of Lahore, in a last desperate bid to free Bhagat Singh. Unfortunately, he met with untimely death due to an ill-fated bomb blast, leaving young Durgavati Bhabhi as his widow. Durgavati Devi bore her widowhood with grace by helping other revolutionaries. After the death sentence of Bhagat Singh, Durgavati Devi along with other revolutionaries including Prithvi Singh and Sukhdevraj decided to commit a revolutionary act to commemorate Bhagat Singh’s death sentence. They chose Governor of Punjab, Geoffrey De Montmorency who was residing in Bombay at that point in time. However, due to the heavy security outside his bungalow, they could not take an aim at him. Instead, they decided to attack the police station at Lamington Road in South Bombay where they found ‘two Britishers’, a police officer and his wife, standing outside the station. The press termed it ‘Lamington Outrage’. Though the police officer and his wife survived the attack, the witnesses could only tell that there were three men in a car who aimed shots at the couple. No one knew that one of the shooters was a woman dressed in the clothes of a man, and this woman was Durgavati Devi. It gave her precious time to leave Bombay and avoid the police trap. It was also one of the rare moments in Indian freedom struggle where a woman had taken a direct part in the revolutionary act. Durgavati Devi even got away with it as well. In the later part, she settled with her family in Ghaziabad near Delhi, where she ran a Girls School. The unique attribute of her, as a hidden heroine, was the fact that she never gave any interview about her role in the freedom struggle. We know about the acts that revolutionary men did, but there is a little information about the crucial role that women like Durgavati Devi played in this struggle. It is her obscurity and anonymity, which makes her a large figure, because we may never get full access to her contribution in the Indian Freedom Struggle.
• Jhalkari Bai: Commander in Rani Lakshmibai’s women’s army who disguised herself as the Queen to allow Lakshmibai to escape during the siege of Jhansi. Married to a brave soldier named Puran Kori, Jhalkari Bai’s alliance brought together two courageous individuals. Their union not only reflected a matrimonial bond but also a partnership in the fight against colonial oppression.Jhalkari Bai actively participated in battles, displaying proficiency in using firearms, cannons, and swordsmanship. Contradictory accounts surround the circumstances of Jhalkari Bai’s later life. Some suggest that the British officer Hugh Rose secured her release, acknowledging her bravery. Others claim that she faced the gallows, joining the ranks of those who sacrificed their lives for the cause. Numerous authors from Bundelkhand have penned the saga of Jhalkari Bai’s bravery. Chokhe Lal composed an epic Mahakavya, while Bhawani Shankar Visharad meticulously documented her life. Today, in Agra, a city known for its historical significance, a statue on horseback commemorates Jhalkari Bai’s indomitable spirit.

27. Uttarakhand
• Sridev Suman:
Shri Dev Suman was born on 25 May 1916 in Jaul village, Bamund Patti, Tehri Garhwal, and martyred on 25 July 1944 — just two months after his 28th birthday.He fought a dual freedom struggle: against British colonial rule nationally, and against the oppressive feudal monarchy of the Tehri Riyasat locally — a context often overlooked in mainstream Indian history.On 23 January 1939, Suman co-founded the Tehri Rajya Praja Mandal, demanding civil liberties, the abolition of the begar (forced unpaid labour) system, and responsible democratic governance. He endured 209 days of imprisonment, the last 84 of which he spent on a hunger strike — refusing to break his fast even when the monarchy offered acquittal in exchange for withdrawing his demands.His martyrdom directly accelerated the Tehri Riyasat's merger with independent India on 1 August 1949, ending over a century of feudal rule under the Panwar Shah dynasty. Legendary environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, the face of the Chipko Movement, was a devoted disciple of Suman and credited him with introducing the Garhwal people to Gandhian nationalism.

28. West Bengal
• Matangini Hazra:
Matangini Hazra affectionately known as Gandhi Buri, was an Indian revolutionary born on 19 October 1870 in Tamluk, West Bengal, India. She actively participated in the Indian independence movement until she was shot dead by the British Indian police in front of the Tamluk Police Station on 29 September 1942.In 1905, she became interested in the Indian independence movement as a Gandhian. Women’s participation in the freedom struggle in Midnapore was notable, and she was a part of it. She took part in the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1932 and was arrested for breaking the Salt Act. Although she was released, she continued to protest for the abolition of the tax. She was arrested again and incarcerated for six months at Baharampur. After being released, she became an active politician and started spinning her own Khadi. She passed away on 29 September 1942 in Tamluk, West Bengal.
• Bina Das:
Bina Das was the daughter of Beni Madhab Das (a teacher), and Sarala Devi (a social worker). After completing school she became a part of the Chattri Sangha, which trained young women revolutionaries in arms and driving. These trainees lived in an ashram run by Bina’s mother Sarala devi, where weapons and bombs would be hidden to avoid police inspection. Carrying a gun supplied to her by Kamala Das Gupta, this 21 year old girl on 6th February 1932 walked into the Calcutta University during a convocation program and fired shots at the Governor Stanley Jackson. As Jackson managed to avoid the shots, the VC Hassan Suhrawardy jumped into action and overpowered her, but she kept firing shots as long as her ammunition lasted. Bina Das was caught, interrogated where she revealed no names of her accomplices, and sentenced to 9 years of rigorous imprisonment. Even after her release she did not lose her resolve and took part in the Quit India movement, and her fight against the British continued until Indian independence. Unfortunately this firebrand revolutionary died an ignominious death.

Author: ReplaceAuthor

Source: ReplaceSource