INDIAN FREEDOM FIGHTERS - COURAGE UNDER FIRE

Alluri Sita Rama Raju (born July 5, 1897 – died May 7, 1924) was a force to be reckoned with for the British Empire. As a protagonist he led a band of tribals in the “Rampa Rebellion” of 1922-24. The Revolutionary leader, born with an ideology, earned himself the name “Manyam Veerudu” (Hero of the Jungles) among  the locals.     In 1857, during the first war of independence, Sri Alluri Seetarama Raju traveled into the deep forests of Gond land, united different tribes, trained them in guerrilla warfare to stand up against the oppression by the British. On 22nd August 1922, the well trained tribal army raided three police stations Chintapalli Police Station, Krishnadevipeta Police Station, and Rajavommangi for three consecutive days taking away large number of guns, bayonets and cartridges and swords. Between (1922 to 1924) the British Army was terrorized by the exploits of Alluri Sita Rama Raju. Known as a sharp archer, he was lured out of hiding in 1922, when the British...

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (28 May 1883 – 26 February 1966). Freedom fighter, Revolutionary, Politician and proponent of liberty, poet, writer and play writer. He strongly advocated Utilitarianism, Rationalism and Positivism, Humanism and Universalism, Pragmatism and Realism. The spark of revolutionary activities was ignited during his study in India and England. He founded student societies including Abhinav Bharat Society and Free India Society. His publication ‘The Indian War of Independence’ about the rebellion of 1857 was banned by the British Empire. Savarkar traveled widely emerging as an orator and writer, advocating Hindu political and social unity. Openly endorsing the ideal of India as a Hindu Rashtra he opposed the Quit India struggle in 1942, calling it a “Quit India but keep your army” movement. The airport at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar’s capital has been named after him as Veer Savarkar International Airport.

  Mangal Pandey (19 July 1827 – 8 April 1857) is synonymous for his role in the initial stages of the Indian Uprising of 1857. Born in Uttar Pradesh, Pandey was a Sepoy in the 6 th  company of the 34th Native Infantry .The daring attack on a superior officer provoked the spark of India’s First War of Independence. Mangal Pandey became the first freedom fighter and martyr of 1857.    The 1857 Mutiny caused the British Parliament to pass an act to abolish the East India Company and India became a crown colony for the British to directly govern. Queen Victoria passed a policy of divide and rule, preventing the Indians to rebel against her. However, Mangal Pandey ignited the spark that 90 years from the start of the Sepoy Mutiny gave India its independence The Ministry of Culture tweeted a beautiful video on the life on Mangal Pandey Watch here : https://twitter.com/MinOfCultureGoI/status/1379991665419509761?s=20

Considered as one the most influential and youngest revolutionaries of the Freedom struggle, Bhagat Singh (28 September 1907 – 23 March 1931) is referred to as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, meaning “martyr” in many Indian languages. Born into a Sikh family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj, Bhagat Singh was attracted to anarchist and marxist ideologies. Avenging the death of another freedom fighter, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh was successful at throwing two bombs and leaflets inside the Central Legislative Assembly while shouting slogans of Inquilab Zindabad. Held on these charges, Bhagat Singh undertook a 116 day fast in jail, demanding equal rights for both British and Indian political prisoners. Convicted and subsequently hanged at the age of 23, Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom has transformed him into a role model. Inspiring many films, Bhagat Singh is commemorated with a large bronze statue in the Parliament of India .

  India attained Independence under the aegis of Mahatma Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), who is referred to as the “Father of the Nation”. Political and spiritual leader of India, he is considered the chief architect of the Indian independence movement. Pioneer and perfector of Satyagraha – the peaceful path of resisting tyranny through mass civil disobedience laid the foundation for ahimsa-total non-violence. Gandhi is commonly addressed as Bapu. Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.-Mahatma Gandhi