30 Lesser-Known Indian Freedom Fighters Who Remain The Unsung Heroes

India didn’t gain independence in a day, it was hard-fought and involved numerous brave-hearted souls who didn’t think twice to sacrifice themselves for our country. The Indian freedom fighters are the heroes who liberated us from British rule. Some martyrs got recognition, some didn’t even though they contributed immensely during the fight for independence.

The focus of these brave souls has been to see India as an independent nation, the Indian freedom fighters didn’t care for fame and recognition. It is for them that we are living in an independent country so as responsible citizens of this nation it is our duty to discuss the ones who fought for our future by staying in the dark. In this article, you will know about the unsung heroes of India during the freedom struggle.

Here are some freedom fighters of India you probably haven’t heard of:

1. Ke Mammen

Despite being a fighter, a pacifist, and a Gandhian, little has been documented about Ke Mammen. He is a must-mention in the Indian freedom fighters list. He celebrated his 94th birth anniversary in 2014, even after being under treatment for six months which displays his true grit and bravery.

2. Sucheta Kriplani

Among the Indian freedom fighters names, Sucheta Kriplani was the very first woman to be elected the Chief Minister of an Indian state (UP), and she formed the All India Mahila Congress back in the year 1940. She was a Gandhian who fought beside him during partitioning riots and the independence referendum. On August 15, 1947, inside the Constituent Assembly, she sang Vande Mataram.

3. Parbati Giri

Parbati Giri was just 16 years old at the time when she was at the vanguard of all independence movements, particularly the Quit India Movement. She was also sentenced to two years in prison for her involvement in such actions. Giri, known colloquially as the Mother Teresa of Western Orissa, was a social worker who assisted the people after independence.

4. Alluri Sitarama Raju

With the help of other neighboring tribals, he led the ill-fated “Rampa Rebellion” in 1922-1924. He was dubbed ‘Manyam Veerudu’ (literally ‘Hero of the Jungles’) for his courage and heroism. He is one of the South Indian freedom fighters who deserved more recognition.

5. N.G. Ranga

He played a leading role in India’s peasant revolution. Ranga was a Gandhian who organized the riots in 1933. The braveheart is revered as the protector of agricultural rights.

6. Velu Nachiyar

In the Indian freedom fighters list, she was the very first queen to fight the British in a battle. Even before the Sepoy Mutiny, the former princess of Ramanathapuram was a vocal opponent of British control.

7. Kanneganti Hanumanthu

Kanneganti was a valiant man who was assassinated by the British when he was 30 years old. He had previously played an important role in the fight for independence, having led the Palnadu Rebellion opposing taxation, he was also detained multiple times, but he never gave up.

8. Khudiram Bose

In the Indian Independence Movement, he was one of the youngest revolutionaries. He was hanged to death at the early age of eighteen years, eight months, and eight days. Khudiram Bose is among the greatest Indian freedom fighters.

9. Benoy, Badal & Dinesh

When Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta, and Dinesh Gupta disguised themselves in European clothing and entered the Writer’s Building, they were just 22, 18, and 19 years old respectively. Colonel NS Simpson, the harsh Inspector General of Police, was their target. They were able to kill him but were outnumbered inside. Benoy swallowed a cyanide pill whereas the other 2 shot themselves to avoid capture. To pull off anything like this, you need more than just bravery.

10. Tirot Sing

Among the Indian freedom fighters names, Tirot Sing is a must-mention. He has been the Khasi people’s chief, also recognized as U Tirot Sing. He perished battling the British when they came over to take over the Khasi Hills, making him a hero amongst his people.

11. Bhogeswari Phukanani

The British gunned her down for initiating the insurgent mass program known as the ‘Bharbhuj.’

12. Kanaklata Barua

While participating in the Quit India Movement in 1942, she was shot down by the rival team for bravely hoisting up the national flag.

13. Kushal Konwar

Sarupathar Congress Committee’s President was an Assamese Tai-Ahom liberation warrior. He is one of the unknown freedom fighter who was hung during the Quit India Movement’s final stage in 1942-43.

14. Matangini Hazra

Matangini Hazra was a member of the Non-Cooperation Movement as well as the Quit India Movement. Even after being shot three times she persisted to march with the Indian flag voicing “Vande Mataram,”. She is among the bravest Indian freedom fighters.

15. Begum Hazrat Mahal

She was a key figure in the 1857 Indian uprising. She gained the authority of Awadh after her spouse was imprisoned and even took command of Lucknow during the uprising. Begum Hazrat had to flee to Nepal, where she expired.

16. Senapati Bapat

He was given the title of Senapati as he was the commander of the Mulshi Satyagraha. Following independence, for the very first time he was given the honor of waving the National flag in Pune. He had been imprisoned for both public speaking and destruction before turning himself in. Since he was a satyagrahi, he wasn’t really allowed to take the road of violence.

17. Aruna Asaf Ali

Few people were aware of her, but when she was 33 years old, she gained attention when she hoisted the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement back in the year 1942 which was way before independence and a huge deal back then. She is one of the prominent Indian freedom fighters names.

18. Potti Sreeramulu

He was a devoted follower and admirer of Mahatma Gandhi. “If only I had eleven more disciples like Sriramulu, I could gain freedom in a year,” was what Gandhi famously declared after witnessing his commitment to philanthropic endeavors and the nation. He is one of the notable South Indian freedom fighters.

19. Bhikaji Cama

Despite the fact that she has multiple roads and structures dedicated to her name, few people are aware of what she did for the country. She was not only a participant in the Indian Independence Movement but also an advocate of gender equality. She gave the majority of her belongings to a girls’ shelter. At the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, she also hoisted the Indian flag in 1907.

20. Tara Rani Srivastava

She led a procession in front of the Siwan Police Precinct along with her spouse. Despite the fact that her husband was shot, she treated his injuries and continued to move forward. He had perished by the moment she returned. Her passion to fight was greater than ever, and she kept fighting while holding the Indian flag high.

21. Kanaiyalal Maneklal Munshi

Munshi, also referred as Kulpati, was a key figure in India’s independence movement, particularly the Quit India Movement. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was founded by him. He proved his determination and enthusiasm for an independent India by continuing the fight despite being imprisoned several times by the British.

22. Peer Ali Khan

He was among India’s first insurgents. Khan was a participant in the 1857 liberation fight and one of the 14 individuals sentenced to death for their participation in the revolution. Many others were influenced by his work but he still remains an unsung freedom fighter of India.

23. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay

Kamaladevi was the very first Indian woman candidate for a legislative seat, and she was the first Indian woman arrested and detained by British rule. She was an important social reformist who brought back handicrafts, theatre, and weavers to help women in India improve their social backgrounds. She was one of the prominent Indian freedom fighters who played a huge role in making India independent.

24. Garimella Satyanarayana

For the citizens of Andhra Pradesh, he was a source of motivation. As a poet, he used his talent to produce powerful poetry and melodies that inspired the inhabitants of Andhra Pradesh to participate in the anti-British campaign.

25. Tirupur Kumaran

The infamous Desa Bandhu Youth Association was founded by Kumaran. On the 11th of January, 1932, he was slain during a street protest against the colonial authority which apparently happened because of waving an Indian nationalist flag forbidden by the British. Despite his injuries, he was discovered dead holding the flag.

26. Raj Kumari Gupta

Raj Kumari Gupta and her spouse teamed with Mahatma Gandhi as well as the famous, Chandrashekhar Azad, and she also played an important role in the Kakori case. She was in charge of the distribution of revolvers to the team involved in the operation. Raj Kumari hid the weapons in her undergarments and went on to deliver them, accompanied by her three-year-old son. Unfortunately, her marital household abandoned her once she was imprisoned. Her name is also a must mention in the Indian freedom fighters list.

27. Lakshmi Sahgal

Captain Lakshmi was her official title as an official in the Indian Army. Lakshmi was a World War II warrior who was imprisoned in Burma for a while. She proposed her name when she learned that Bose was enrolling women in the military as well. She was given orders to organize the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, a woman military unit in which she was given the position of leader and the Captain of the team.

28. Birsa Munda

He was given the name Thursday because he was conceived on a Thursday. Despite the fact that he passed away at the early age of 25, he accomplished a lot in his brief life. His most popular accomplishment was his leadership of the Millenarian movement, which in the late 1800s spurred the tribal belt of current Bihar and Jharkhand to revolt against British Rule in India.

29. Durgabai Deshmukh

Durgabai was a member of the National Constituent Assembly and the Planning Commission and led various Satyagraha campaigns. She was a key figure in the Indian independence movement. She was given the work of making sure that all guests had correct permits before attending the Khadi exhibit in 1923. Pandit Nehru was even forbidden to enter until the organizers provided him with a permit and she permitted him to pass.

30. Abadi Bano Begum

One of the first few Muslim women to fight for freedom of India. Abadi Bano Begum, born in 1852, was the first woman who addressed a political gathering from behind a purdah. She is one of the most important Indian freedom fighters who deserves recognition for her contribution in Indian Independence.