India enters its 74th year of independence this August 15th. Due to the chaotic situation the pandemic has created, grand celebrations are unlikely and the government has decided to keep this year low-key. But it is important for us to remember those sons and daughters of Bharat who gave their sweat and blood to end the colonial rule on this important day. It is their efforts whose fruits we are enjoying today. On this day, let us remember a few lesser known women legends who played an integral part in the freedom struggle.
Jhalkari Bai
Lost in the pages of history is the tale of an incredible warrior and woman named Jhalkari Bai. Jhalkaribai was born to Moolchand and Dhaniyabai on 22 November 1830 in Bhojla village near Jhansi in a Kori family. Known for her exceptional strength of will , several folk tales sing odes about her acts of bravery. Though she lacked formal military training , she was excellent in horse riding and in the use of weaponry. She married Puran mhavar koli , a soldier from the artillery unit of Rani Laxmibai’s army, who introduced her to the Rani. Jhalkaribai bore an uncanny resemblance to Laxmibai and because of this she was inducted into the women’s wing of the army.
When discontent against the British policies was brewing, the people of Jhansi rallied around Rani Lakshmi Bai and resolved to take up arms to uphold the independence of their state. In 1858, there were several attacks on the Jhansi fort by the British and their native allies. Though the recorded history does not reveal much about the antecedents or heroic exploits of Jhalkari Bai, the ever loyal Jhalkari Bai must have been a pillar of strength for the queen in those trying times.
It is said that when the fall of the fortress became imminent when General Hugh Rose invaded Jhansi, Jhalkari Bai and some generals convinced Lakshmi Bai to escape quietly with a handful of supporters. In a ploy to deceive the British, Jhalkari dressed up like the Rani and took command of the army. Though Jhalkari Bai was forced to surrender, it is believed that the British military officers, who were impressed by her loyalty, courage and fighting prowess treated her with respect and freed her. While this act of sacrifice and courage is what she is most well-known for another little acknowledged fact remains that she was a close confidante and advisor to the queen playing a key role she played in the analysis and strategizing of the battle itself, alongside Laxmibai. Thus, she too was a gem in the 1857 rebellion against the British whose shine unfortunately hasn’t been noticed by many.
Matangini Hazra
Not much is known of her early life apart from that she was born in the small village of Hogla, near Tamluk in 1869. In 1905, she became actively interested in the Indian independence movement as a Gandhian. A notable feature of the freedom struggle in Midnapore was the participation of women. In 1932, she took part in the Civil Disobedience movement and was arrested for breaking the Salt Act. She was promptly released, but protested for the abolition of the tax. Arrested again, she was incarcerated for six months at Baharampur.
After being released, she became an active member of the Indian National Congress and took to spinning her own Khadi. In 1933, she attended the subdivisional Congress conference at Serampore and was injured in the ensuing baton charge by the police. As part of the Quit India Movement, members of the Congress planned to take over the various police stations of Medinipore district and other government offices. Hazra, who was 72 years at the time, led a procession of six thousand supporters, mostly women volunteers, with the purpose of taking over the Tamluk police station. When the procession reached the outskirts of the town, they were ordered to disband under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code by the Crown police. As she stepped forward, Hazra was shot once. As she was repeatedly shot, she kept chanting Vande Mataram, “hail to the Motherland”.
In 2002, as part of a series of postage stamps commemorating sixty years of the Quit India Movement, the Department of Posts of India issued a five rupee postage stamp with Matangini Hazra’s likeness.
Kittur Rani Chennamma
Rani Chennamma was born in Kakati in 1778 that is almost 56 years earlier than Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi. From a very young age she received training in horse riding, sword fighting and archery. She was well known for her brave acts across her town. Rani Chennamma was married to Mallasarja Desai, ruler of Kittur at the age of 15. Her married life seemed to be a sad tale after her husband died in 1816. With this marriage she had only one son, but fate seemed to play a tragic game in her life. Her son breathed his last in 1824, leaving the lonely soul to fight against the British rule. The Doctrine of Lapse was imposed on native states by the British. Under this declaration, native rulers were not allowed to adopt a child if they had no children of their own. Their territory formed part of the British Empire automatically.The state of Kittur came under the administration of Dharwad collectorate in charge of Mr. Thackeray. Mr. Chaplin was the commissioner of the region. Both did not recognize the new ruler and the regent, and informed that Kittur had to accept the British regime.
Rani Chennamma tried her best to avoid war; she negotiated with Chaplin and Governor of Bombay Presidency under whose regime Kittur fell. Chennamma was compelled to declare war. For 12 days, the valiant Queen and her soldiers defended their fort, but as is the common trait, traitors sneaked in and mixed mud and dung in the gunpowder in the canons. The Rani was defeated (1824 CE). She was taken a prisoner and kept in the fort of Bailhongal for life. She spent her days reading holy texts and performing pooja till her death in 1829 CE. Kittur Rani Chennamma could not win the war against British, but she etched her presence for many centuries in the world of history. Along with Onake Obavva, Abbakka Rani and Keladi Chennamma, she is much revered in Karnataka as an icon of bravery.
Tara Rani Srivastava
Srivastava was born in Saran near the city of Patna. She married Phulendu Babu at an early age. Following public proposals which could have led to a surge in gender inequality, Tara Rani galvanized women from and around her village to join protest marches against the British Raj. On 12 August 1942, called upon by Mahatma Gandhi, she and her husband organized a march to raise the Flag of India in front of the Siwan police station, an act that would be seen as “a major defiance.” The police, in preventing them from hoisting the flag, lathi charged the protesters. When they were unable to gain control, the police opened fire. Phulendu Babu was among the shot and wounded. Despite that, after bandaging Babu’s wounds with strips of cloth torn from her sari, Tara Rani continued her march to the police station, where she attempted to hoist the flag; on her return, she discovered that her husband had died of his injuries. On 15 August 1942, a prayer meeting was held in Chhapra in honour of her husband’s sacrifice for the country. She continued to be part of the freedom struggle until the Partition of India on 15 August 1947.
The Indian civilization believes in the concept of Shiva Shakti aikya , a profound understanding that this cosmos exists because of the interdependence of both feminine and masculine energy. It was this fundamental idea of women being equal to men which was prevalent in Indian thought which one can witness through these less heard women voices whose contributions to the independence movement are unmatched. In fact, while we remember these martyrs on this very significant day in modern Indian history, one must introspect on how this societal position of women today has unfortunately changed. Thus, true independence is achieved only through restoring the former status women had enjoyed in our civilization. Jai Hind!
Source: The Better India, Wikipedia