List of Freedom Fighters of India (1857-1947): Names, Slogans, Contribution

Freedom Fighters of India made unforgettable contributions to the independence of our country. India has been witnessed many great freedom fighters in history. Indian freedom fighters fought tirelessly and sacrificing their lives to the independence of the country from the Britisher colonial rule. Many revolutionaries and activists from different religion, cast and ethnic backgrounds raise the voice against the imperialists and their Colonialism in India.

In this article, We are going to discuss about List of male and female freedom fighters, their contribution in Indian Independence and many more.

Freedom Fighters of India

15 August 1947, Indian Independence Day, is a golden moment in Indian History. Yes. It is the day we bid farewell to the British and embraced the dawn of a new era of liberty as a sovereign nation.

The independence of India was a collective achievement, made possible by the sacrifices and contributions of countless individuals, including Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, and many others.

List Of Freedom Fighters Of India With Contribution

The first war for freedom, the sepoy mutiny in 1857, displayed the early seeds of freedom in the hearts of countless Indian citizens. It paved the way for nationalism and unity of the freedom fighters in India against the British. Mahatma Gandhi proposed non-violent opposition through his Salt March 1930, Quit India Movement 1942 and several other peaceful protests. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Bhagat Singh brought diverse, intellectual strategies to force the British to leave India. The following is the list of top 10 freedom fighter fighters of India with their names and contribution:

Freedom Fighter Names	Contribution/Role	Battle/Significant Event
1. Mahatma Gandhi	Non-violent civil disobedience movements	Various movements, e.g., Salt March, Quit India Movement
2. Subhas Chandra Bose	Formation of the Indian National Army (INA)	Led INA in the Battle of Imphal and Kohima during World War II
3. Bhagat Singh	Sacrificed life for the cause of independence	Involved in the Lahore Conspiracy Case and Assembly Bombing
4. Jawaharlal Nehru	First Prime Minister of independent India	Played a key role in the Indian National Congress and the drafting of the Indian Constitution
5. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	Integration of princely states into India	Instrumental in the merger of princely states into the Indian Union
6. Rani Lakshmibai	Brave resistance against British forces	Fought in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, notably the Siege of Jhansi
7. Chandrashekhar Azad	Fearless revolutionary	Active in several revolutionary activities, including the Kakori Conspiracy
8. Bal Gangadhar Tilak	Advocated for Swaraj (self-rule)	Led the Swadeshi Movement and the Home Rule Movement
9. Lala Lajpat Rai	Protested against the Simon Commission	Led protests against the Simon Commission in Lahore
10. Lal Bahadur Shastri	– White Revolution – Green Revolution	Second Prime Minister of India

1. Mahatma Gandhi (2 Oct 1869 to 30 Jan 1948)

Mahatma Gandhi, the “Father of the Nation,” preferred non-violent protest against the British. He studied law at University College, London and moved to South Africa to start his profession as a lawyer. He became a civil rights activist who stood against the discrimination and racial prejudice against Indians in South Africa from 1893 to 1914.

His first major role in the Indian freedom struggle was his involvement in the Champaran agitations in 1917 and Kheda agitations in 1918 to support the peasants against the British. He became the leader of the Indian National Congress in 1920 and led the non-cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements. He also led movements like the Salt March and Quit India Movement, contributing significantly to India’s struggle for Independence.

• Full-name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
• Date of Birth and location: October 2, 1869, Porbandar, India
• Died: January 30, 1948, Delhi (aged 78)
• Political affiliation: Indian National Congress
• Close Family members: spouse Kasturba Gandhi
• Notable act: British raj Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Round Table Conference Salt March non cooperation movement

2. Jawaharlal Nehru (14 Nov 1889 to 27 May 1964)

Nehru studied law at the Inner Temple Inn, London. On returning to India, he joined the home rule movement in 1916 and started his protest for freedom. In 1919, Jawaharlal Nehru joined the Indian National Congress and was inspired by Gandhi’s Non-cooperation movement in 1920. He became the leader of the INC (Indian National Congress) in 1929 and framed the Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy, focusing on a secular India.

Nehru hoisted the tricolour flag of India near the river Ravi in Lahore. He joined hands with Gandhiji in the Salt March in 1930, the Civil disobedience movement in 1940 and Quit India Movement in 1942. Nehru became India’s first prime minister and framed the constitution after Independence.

• Full-name: Pandit (Hindi: “Pundit” or “Teacher”) Nehru
• Date of Birth: November 14, 1889, Allahabad, India
• Died: May 27, 1964, New Delhi (aged 74)
• Notable title: prime minister (1947-1964), India
• Political affiliation: Indian National Congress
• Popular family members: father Motilal Nehru daughter Indira Gandhi

3. Subhash Chandra Bose (23 Jan 1897 to 18 Aug 1945)

Bose joined the Nationalist Movement led by Gandhiji and Indian National Congress in 1921. He opposed the non-violence attitude against the British and left Indian National Congress in 1939. Bose made wartime alliances with NAZI Germany and Imperial Japan to seek the support of foreign countries to fight against the British. He established “The Indian National Army” with Japanese help in 1942. He inspired people with his slogans like “JaiHind”.

• Full-name: Netaji (Hindi: “Respected Leader”)
• Date of Birth: c. January 23, 1897, Cuttack, Orissa [now Odisha], India
• Died: August 18, 1945, Taipei, Taiwan?
• Notable work: founded Forward Bloc
• Political affiliation: Indian National Congress

4. Bhagat Singh (28 Sep 1907 to 23 Mar 1931)

Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh, known for his bravery, was a revolutionary who advocated removing British rule through radical means. He was an important member of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA). He was involved in the murder of John Saunders, an Assistant superintendent of police, misunderstanding him as James Scott, who was responsible for Lala Lajpat Rai’s death and the murder of Channan Singh, a constable, while escaping to Lahore. Singh was later arrested in 1929 for exploding two bombs in the Delhi Central Legislative Assembly and hanged to death.

• Date of Birth and location: September 27, 1907, Lyallpur, western Punjab, India [now in Pakistan]
• Death date and location: March 23, 1931, Lahore [now in Pakistan] (aged 23)

5. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (31 Oct 1875 to 15 Dec 1950)

Patel encouraged Indian Citizens to sign Gandhi’s petition demanding Swaraj and became the secretary of Gujarat Sabha, the Gujarat wing of INC, in 1917. He supported Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement and led it in Gujarat. Patel served as the president of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee from 1920-1945 and as the President of INC in 1931. He also contributed to the Salt March and the Quit India Movement under Gandhiji. Patel was India’s first Home Minister and is known as the iron man of India as he integrated the princely states into an independent country.

• full-Name: Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel
• Date of birth and location: October 31, 1875, Nadiad, Gujarat, India
• Died: December 15, 1950, Bombay [now Mumbai] (aged 75)
• Political affiliation: Indian National Congress

6. Rani Lakshmibai (19 Nov 1828 to 18 Jun 1858)

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi is celebrated as a symbol of bravery and resistance in a woman. Lakshmibai was against the Doctrine of Lapse policy, which forced her to surrender Jhansi to the British and could not make her adopted son the heir. She fought against the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, along with the other rebel leaders. In 1858, the British sieged her fort under the army officer Hugh Rose, and she escaped with her son. The British killed her at the Battle of Gwalior.

• Date of Birth: c. November 19, 1835, Kashi, India
• Died: June 17, 1858, Kotah-ki-Serai, near Gwalior (aged 22)
• Notable: Indian Mutiny

7. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (11 Nov 1888 to 22 Feb 1958)

Azad established Al-Hilal, an Urdu newspaper, in 1912 and published his views against British policies. He played a crucial role in the Khilafat movement, Hindu-Muslim unity and educational reforms. Azad joined the INC and contributed to the non-cooperation movement, the salt march and the Quit India Movement under Gandhiji. He served as the Congress president from 1940 to 1946 and was the first educational minister of independent India.

8. Bal Gangadhar Tilak (23 July 1856 – 1 Aug 1920)

Tilak joined the INC in 1890 and opposed its moderate attitude. He encouraged the Swadeshi movement and the Boycott movement against the British. Tilak, G. S. Khaparde and Annie Besant founded the All India Home Rule League movement in 1916. He travelled to numerous villages and emphasised the importance of self-rule and unity.

9. Lala Lajpat Rai (28 Jan 1865 – 17 Nov 1928)

Rai founded the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York in 1917. Later, he joined the INC, was elected president in 1920, and led the congress session that launched the non-cooperation movement. He protested against the Simon Commission and gave the famous slogan, “Simon, Go Back!”. He fought against British Colonializations by standing fiercely against the policies of the British government.

10. Annie Besant (1 Oct 1847 – 20 Sep 1933)

Annie Besant, a British socialist and theosophist, became a prominent supporter of Indian self-rule and played a role in the Indian National Congress. She started the All India Home Rule League with Lokmanya TIlak and insisted on the importance of Self-rule for India. She also stood against caste and child marriage in India and worked for Indian Education.

11. Mangal Pandey (July 19, 1827 – April 8, 1857)

Mangal Pandey, born in 1827 in the village of Nagwa, is a revered figure in Indian history, celebrated for his pivotal role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. As a soldier in the British East India Company’s army, he etched his name into the annals of India’s struggle for independence with a defiant act.

On March 29, 1857, Pandey refused to use the newly introduced Enfield rifle cartridges, which were rumored to be greased with animal fat. This action, stemming from religious sensitivities, triggered a chain of events that eventually led to a widespread uprising against British colonial rule.

12. C. Rajagopalachari – Rajaji (10 Dec 1878 – 25 Dec 1972)

Rajaji joined the Indian National Congress in 1906 and followed the non-violence attitude of Gandhiji from 1920. In 1930, Rajaji organised the Dandi salt march at Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu. Indian National Congress first came to power in Madras Presidency, and Rajai became the first Premier of the Madras Presidency. He was the last Governor-General of India.

The Journey of Indian Independence is filled with boundless courage and love for the nation, crafted by the sufferings and sacrifices of the freedom fighters in India. With the above-listed freedom fighters, several patriotic citizens with unknown names were involved in the freedom struggle and lost their lives to reward a liberal nation to future generations. Let us celebrate their love for the country and show our love by working for its growth.

Let us never forget the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters of India, and let us continue to strive to build a better future for our country.

Male Freedom Fighters Of India

The following is the list of some of the most prominent male freedom fighters who made notable contributions to India’s struggle for independence:

Names of Male Freedom Fighters	Contribution/Role
Mahatma Gandhi	Leader of nonviolent civil disobedience movement
Subhas Chandra Bose	Led the Indian National Army (INA) and advocated for armed resistance
Bhagat Singh	Revolutionary martyr who sacrificed his life
Jawaharlal Nehru	First Prime Minister of independent India
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	Integrated princely states into the Indian Union
Bal Gangadhar Tilak	Prominent leader and advocate for Swaraj
Chandrashekhar Azad	Fearless revolutionary associated with HSRA
Lala Lajpat Rai	Protested against the Simon Commission
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad	Prominent Muslim leader in the freedom movement
Rajendra Prasad	First President of independent India
Bipin Chandra Pal	Key figure in the Swadeshi Movement
Gopal Krishna Gokhale	Prominent social reformer and leader
Motilal Nehru	Senior leader in the Indian National Congress
Dadabhai Naoroji	Leading figure in early Indian nationalist movement
Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar	Founder of the Khilafat Movement
Bipin Chandra Pal	Advocate for radical nationalism
S. Radhakrishnan	Philosopher, scholar, and statesman
Surya Sen	Leader of the Chittagong Armory Raid
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar	Prominent revolutionary who coined the term “First War of Indian Independence”
C. Rajagopalachari	Last Governor-General of India and leader in the Indian National Congress

Female Freedom Fighters Of India

The sacrifices of women freedom fighters in India like Rani Lakshmibai, the warrior queen of Jhansi, Sarojini Naidu and Annie Besant proved the determination of Indian women towards a liberal life in India. The following is the list of some of the most prominent female freedom fighters who made notable contribution India’s struggle for independence:

Freedom Fighter	Contribution/Role
Sarojini Naidu	Prominent poet and leader in the Indian National Congress
Rani Lakshmibai	Queen of Jhansi known for bravery in the Indian Rebellion of 1857
Kasturba Gandhi	Activist and spouse of Mahatma Gandhi
Annie Besant	Prominent leader in the Indian National Congress and supporter of self-rule
Aruna Asaf Ali	Hoisted the Indian National Congress flag during Quit India Movement
Kamala Nehru	Prominent figure in the Indian freedom struggle
Sucheta Kriplani	Actively involved in the Quit India Movement and the Civil Disobedience Movement
Usha Mehta	Leader of the underground Congress Radio during Quit India Movement
Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay	Social reformer and advocate for women’s rights
Sister Nivedita (Margaret Noble)	Disciple of Swami Vivekananda and social worker
Aruna Roy	Social activist and leader in the Right to Information (RTI) movement
Captain Lakshmi Sahgal	Officer in the Indian National Army (INA) and leader in the Azad Hind Fauj
Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay	Freedom fighter and advocate for traditional Indian arts and crafts
Pritilata Waddedar	Bengali revolutionary who participated in armed resistance
Vijayalakshmi Pandit	Diplomat and leader in the Indian National Congress
Fatima Sheikh and Savitribai Phule	Social reformers and advocates for women’s education
Matangini Hazra	Brave participant in the Quit India Movement and martyr
Kamala Devi Chattopadhyay	Freedom fighter, social reformer, and advocate

Muslim Freedom Fighters Of India

The following is the list of Muslim freedom fighters of India contribution and role is notable in the Indian Independence:

Name	Contribution
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad	Key leader in the Indian National Congress; First Minister of Education in independent India.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah	Initially in the Indian National Congress, later leader of the All India Muslim League; Advocate for Pakistan.
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan	Advocate of nonviolence; Played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement in the Northwest Frontier Province.
Maulana Hasrat Mohani	Poet and freedom fighter; Popularized the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad.”
Dr. Zakir Hussain	Educator and political leader; Third President of India.
Maulana Shaukat Ali	Leader of the Khilafat Movement; Worked for Hindu-Muslim unity.
Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar	Co-founder of the All India Muslim League; Active in the Khilafat Movement.
Begum Hazrat Mahal	Played a significant role in the First War of Indian Independence (1857-1858).
Allama Iqbal	Philosopher, poet, and politician; Advocated for the creation of Pakistan.
Umar Sobhani	Active in the Khilafat Movement and the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Syed Ahmed Khan	Founder of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (Aligarh Muslim University); Advocated educational reforms.
Maulana Azizul Haque	Led the Moplah Rebellion against British rule in Malabar

Slogans By Freedom Fighters Of India

The following are the famous slogans given by Indian freedom inspired normal people to rise against the British through outrageous slogans:

Name	Slogan
Mahatma Gandhi	“Quit India”
Subhas Chandra Bose	“Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom”
Bhagat Singh	“Inquilab Zindabad”
Jawaharlal Nehru	“Aaram Haram Hai” (Quit India Movement)
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel	“Sardar” (Leader)
Rani Lakshmibai	“Jhansi Ki Rani”
Lal Bahadur Shastri	“Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”
Chandrashekhar Azad	“Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai”
Bal Gangadhar Tilak	“Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it”
Lala Lajpat Rai	“Simon Go Back”
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad	“Inqilab-e-Hind”
Subramania Bharati	“Vande Mataram”
Khudiram Bose	“Mera Rang De Basanti Chola”
Annie Besant	“Home Rule is my birthright”
Bipin Chandra Pal	“Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it”
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose	“Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Main Tumhe Azadi Dunga”
Dr. Rajendra Prasad	“Satyameva Jayate” (Truth alone triumphs)
Surya Sen	“We will face the bullets of the enemies; we are free and will remain free”
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan	“Sarhadi Gandhi” (Frontier Gandhi)
C. Rajagopalachari	“Swaraj within a year”
Alluri Sitarama Raju	“Jai Hind”

Challenges Faced by Freedom Fighters In India

Repression and Suppression

British authorities responded to the independence movement with repression, arresting and imprisoning many leaders and activists.

The Rowlatt Act of 1919 allowed for the arrest and detention of individuals without trial, leading to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Communication Barriers

Limited means of communication posed challenges in coordinating activities and spreading information among the diverse regions of India.

Limited Resources

Freedom fighters often worked with scarce resources, facing financial constraints and struggling to organize and sustain large-scale movements.

Diversity of Languages and Cultures

India’s linguistic and cultural diversity posed a challenge in unifying the population under a common goal, as different regions had distinct languages and traditions.

Internal Differences and Ideological Disputes

Differences in ideology and approaches to achieving independence sometimes led to internal conflicts among freedom fighters.

British Divide and Rule Policy

The British employed a divide-and-rule strategy, exploiting religious and social differences to create divisions among different communities, making it difficult for a unified resistance.

Lack of International Support Initially

In the early stages, the Indian independence movement struggled to gain significant international support, making it harder to pressurize the British through diplomatic channels.

Armed Conflicts and Repression

Instances of armed resistance, such as the Chauri Chaura incident, were met with severe reprisals from the British authorities, leading to setbacks in the movement.

Propaganda and Misinformation

The British often used propaganda and misinformation to create confusion and undermine the credibility of the independence movement.

Economic Exploitation

Economic exploitation by the British, through policies like heavy taxation and economic drain, created hardships for the Indian population and fueled anti-colonial sentiments.

Long Duration of Struggle

The prolonged nature of the independence movement meant that freedom fighters had to sustain their efforts over many decades, facing fatigue and challenges in maintaining public enthusiasm.

Unknown Facts About The Freedom Fighters Of India

• Prominent leader and scholar, advocated Hindu-Muslim unity and played a crucial role in India’s freedom struggle.
• Strong advocate of nonviolence, fought for India’s independence from the North-West Frontier Province.
• Prominent leader in the Khilafat Movement and the Indian National Congress, worked for Muslim rights.
• Significant figure in the Khilafat Movement and the Indian National Congress, advocated for Muslim rights.
• Fearless leader in the Revolt of 1857, fought against the British forces for the restoration of the Mughal Empire.
• Renowned scholar and educationist, actively participated in the Quit India Movement and became the President of India.
• Prominent politician and freedom fighter, played a significant role in the Quit India Movement and post-independence India’s development.
• Influential leader and member of the Congress, actively involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement and advocated for Muslim rights.
• Freedom fighter from Hyderabad, played a vital role in the struggle against the oppressive Nizam’s rule.
• Revolutionary working from abroad, played an important role in the Ghadar Movement for India’s liberation.

Related Resources:

• Fundamental Rights and Protection of Freedom
• Right to Freedom (Articles 19 – 22)
• Understanding Freedom of Speech
• India’s Freedom Movement (Part – 2)

FAQs on Freedom Fighters of India

Who Was First Freedom Fighter Of India?

Mangal Pandey

Who Were The Freedom Fighters In 1947?

Various leaders played crucial roles, including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, and others.

Who Is No. 1 Freedom Fighter?

Mahatma Gandhi is often considered the foremost freedom fighter.

Who Is The Father Of Freedom Fighters?

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Freedom Fighters.”

What Are The 5 Slogan Given By Freedom Fighters?

• “Quit India”
• “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai”
• “Jai Hind”
• “Inquilab Zindabad”
• “Vande Mataram”

Who Is Called The Father Of Nation?

Mahatma Gandhi is commonly referred to as the Father of the Nation.

Who Is Lal Bal Pal?

“Lal Bal Pal” refers to Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal, who were prominent leaders in the Indian independence movement.

What Is The Importance Of Freedom Fighters In Indian History?

Freedom fighters played a crucial role in India gaining independence by leading movements, protests, and sacrificing their lives. They inspired the masses and shaped the course of Indian history.

What Were The Different Methods Used By Freedom Fighters In India?

• Non-violent resistance (e.g., Gandhi’s Satyagraha)
• Civil disobedience
• Boycotts of British goods
• Armed resistance and revolutionary activities (e.g., Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose)
• Protests, marches, and public rallies
• Underground movements and secret societies
• Legal battles and political negotiations