Top 10 Freedom Fighters of India
Freedom Fighters of India owe a lot of respect and honour for being the backbone in the journey of India’s Independence.
Behind the 15th of August, 1947, celebration of Independence, there lies a tremendously violent and chaotic history of intense rebellions, battles, and movements carried out by thousands of zealous Indian independence warriors, top freedom fighters of India. All of India’s independence warriors battled, suffered, and often gave their lives to liberate India from British domination.
A large number of revolutionaries and activists from various family origins joined together and began on a journey to overthrow the dominion of foreign imperial powers and their Colonization in India. Many of us may have learned of several of them, but there are many notable heroes whose efforts have gone unnoticed.
The freedom fighters of India did not play an essential role in India’s independence, but also retained a legacy of courage, unstoppable resolve and constant love for the country. They still inspire millions even in the dead to defend and maintain our valuable freedom.
1. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
One of the top freedom fighters of India, without whose presence India’s struggle for independence would have remained incomplete is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. One of the top freedom fighters of India, who had immense qualities and skill. He was courageous and valiant from an early age, was born in 1875 and acquired the title ‘Sardar’ for his epic role in the Bardoli Satyagrah. As a result of his valiant efforts, he was titled as the “Iron Man of India.” Formerly a lawyer, Sardar Patel retired from his practise and started a struggle against British authorities for independence to represent India. After freedom, he was appointed as India’s Deputy Prime Minister and did efforts towards integrating princely states into the Union India.
He was considered as one of the top freedom fighters and popularly known as the Bismarck of India, Strong (Iron) Man, Sardar, Iron Man of India and has also been awarded with the honorary Bharat Ratna for his diligent work and efforts.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru
Another top freedom fighter of Indian in the top ten list is Jawaharlal Nehru. He was born in 1889 as the only son of Motilal Nehru and Swarup Rani. Nehru began his career as an attorney and rose to prominence as an Indian independence fighter and politician. His desire for Indian independence was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s attempts to liberate India from British rule. He started the liberation movement, rose to become the President of the Indian National Congress, and was finally appointed India’s First Prime Minister upon independence. Nehru was nicknamed Chacha Nehru because he liked children, and his birthday is commemorated as Children’s Day.
He also became the first prime minister of independent India and a devoted statesman, Nehru may be counted to be amidst the most influential political personalities in the country/nation.
A supporter of Gandhi, Nehru was in the support of a secular country. He also defended indentured labour and the British rule’s discriminatory legislation. He guided Indians towards the ultimate goal of independence with his amazing leadership. On 27 May 1964 he passed away at the age of 74 because of a cardiac arrest.
Coming to his family, his spouse was Kamala Nehru and Grandparents were Gangadhar Nehru, Jeevarani Nehru. His contribution in progression, advancement and development of India cannot be underestimated at any cost. He is sure one of the legendary and top freedom fighters of India.
3. Mahatma Gandhi
India’s journey to Independence could have never been possible without this legendary freedom fighter- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi. He is one of the top – most freedom fighters of India.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, Porbandar and was known as the “Father of the Nation” and Mahatma Gandhi for his tremendous exploits. He married Kasturba when he was 13 years old and studied law in London before moving to South Africa for practise, where racial prejudice against certain Indians motivated him to advocate for human rights. After witnessing the state of India under English rule, Gandhi became a fervent supporter of the independence struggle. He marched on “DandiKuch” on his bare foot to protest the salt tax and led many nonviolent actions against Britishers in his quest for independence.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was Nation’s Father who had faith in non-violent movement and struggled worldwide for civil rights and independence. He has led movements such as Dandi Salt March, Quit India Movement, Satyagraha and others.
Laden with only truth and the values of non-violence, he guided the Indian people towards independence.
The eminent freedom fighter not only battled for the country, but also for equality amongst the Indian population, segregated by caste system and class division. He invented for the untouchable group the title “harijan” (sons of God) and promoted that they should be included in the fight for liberation.
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on his route to the prayer gathering on the morning of 30 January 1948. His passing caused the entire nation sadness. But in the heart of the Nation, his ideas and remembrances remain.
4. Lal Bahadur Shastri
Another top freedom fighter of India is Lal Bahadur Shastri. He was born in Uttar Pradesh in 1904. After completing his studies at Kashi Vidyapeeth, he was awarded the title “Shastri” Scholar. As a modest but active independence fighter, he took part in Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India, Civil Disobedience, and Salt Satyagrah movements. He also served for a significant amount of time in prison.
Following freedom, he served as Home Minister until becoming Prime Minister of India in 1964. Lal Bahadur Shastri pushed himself into the independence movement with ferocious zeal. He spearheaded many rebellious protests and was imprisoned in Britain for a total of seven years.
It was in the crucible of this conflict that his steel was refined and he evolved. Lal Bahadur Shastri, second Prime Minister of India and a courageous independence fighter who coined the phrase “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.”
The top freedom fighter of India was also recognised for his honesty, patriotism, and simplicity. India had to experience the loss of a significant leader. He had endowed India with brilliance and honesty. His demise remains an unknown mystery.
5. Subhash Chandra Bose
India’s list of top freedom fighters who shed their blood and sweat to get independence to our nation is enormous. Another name in the list of top ten freedom fighters for India is Subhas Chandra Bose, better known as Netaji, was born in Orissa in 1897. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre may have shaken him and compelled him to relocate to India from England in 1921.
He was a member of the Indian National Congress and the Civil Disobedience Movement. Because he was dissatisfied with Gandhi Ji’s nonviolent way of independence, he turned to Germany for assistance, eventually forming the Indian National Army (INA) and the Azad Hind Government.
Bose was one of the top freedom fighters of India who was active in the anti-British independence struggle in India. He was a revolutionary independence warrior who created the Azad Hind Army, now called the Indian National Army. Bose has been imprisoned numerous times for his revolutionary activities.
Bose’s dedication and commitment to India’s Independence struggle, as well as his organisation and leading qualities of the Indian National Army, are extremely crucial.
6. Lala Lajpat Rai
Struggle to independence is incomplete without Lala Lajpat Rai. He was one of the top freedom fighters of India, being born in Punjab in 1865 , he was known colloquially as Punjab Kesari. He was part of the Indian National Congress’s extremist Lal-Bal-Pal trio. In 1920, he rose to prominence as the leader of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Punjab Protest over the Jalliawala Bagh tragedy.
During a Simon Commission protest in 1928, he was killed by a violent Lathi charge by British soldiers. Scott, the police chief, brutally beaten Lala Lajpat Rai, who subsequently died as a result of his injuries.
Lala Lajpat Rai, the martyr, possessed a plethora of positive characteristics. Efficiency, tenacity, and patriotism characterised him. He was pleasant. He made many friends in India and overseas for the benefit of his nation. Lala Lajpat Rai was one of India’s finest independence warriors. He fondly titled as the ‘Punjab Kesari’ and the ‘Lion of Punjab.’
7. Bhagat Singh
One of the top freedom fighters of India is Bhagat Singh. He was a well-known revolutionary and controversial Freedom Fighters of India who died as a martyr for his nation. In 1907, he was born in Punjab to a Sikh family of independent warriors. As a result, he was a natural nationalist who became part of the non-cooperation movement in 1921. He established the “Naujawan Bharat Sabha” to foster patriotism in Punjab’s youngsters. The Chauri-Chaura Massacre transformed him and pushed him to the limit in his quest for liberty. Bhagat Singh was a valiant freedom fighter and socialist revolutionary during the India’s Independence struggle.
Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, widely titled as Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, dropped out of schooling at the tender age of thirteen to devoted his entire life to the Independence of India.
8. Rani Lakshmi Bai
The list of top ten freedom fighters of India is incomplete without Rani Jhansi. She was one of the top women freedom fighters whose contribution can never be forgotten or overlooked. The Queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakhsmi Bai, was born in 1828. She was a major figure in India’s ferocious independence movement in 1857.
Despite her gender, she personified boldness and a daring attitude, encouraging hundreds of women to join the fight for freedom. In 1858, she valiantly protected her Jhansi palace from an invasion by a British force commanded by Sir Hugh Rose.
Rani Laxmibai, was a crucial player in the 1857 Indian Revolt. She is also recognised as one of India’s finest independence fighters. In the 1850s, she retaliated against Britain’s intention to conquer her country and became an emblem of freedom in India.
9. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Another crucial name in the list of top ten freedom fighters of India is Bal Gangadhar. He is a well known freedom fighter. Tilak was born in 1856 and was a great Indian independence warrior. In a fervent protest against the British, he lit a fire across the country with the message, “Swaraj is my birth right.” He was better known as one of the trios of Lal, Bal, and Pal. Tilak founded schools and produced dissident publications in order to resist the English overlords. People referred to him as Lokmanya Tilak because they admired and revered him as one of the greatest leaders of all time.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an important personality , social reformer, and independence warrior. He was a staunch supporter of Swaraj and breathed his last on August 1, 1920. He delivered his remarks in either Marathi or Hindi. One of the top freedom fighters of India in history, Tilak energised the Indian people and gave new impetus to our liberation movement.
Tilak, a renowned philosopher and statesman, thought that independence is the most important right and requirement for a country’s well-being.
10. Mangal Pandey
Next in the list of top ten freedom fighters of India is Mangal Pandey. He was born in 1827, was an early independence fighter. He was one of the first rebels to urge young Indian troops to join the 1857 uprising. Pandey, while serving as a soldier for the British East India Company, conducted the first attack against English authorities, kicking off the Indian revolt in 1857. He was a prominent figure in the 1857 uprising, also known as the Sepoy mutiny. He is well-known in India as one of the country’s earliest independence fighters. The actions of Mangal Pandey in 1857 ignited the Indian Mutiny, also called as India’s First War of Independence.
The uprising resulted in the demise of the British East India Company and the formulation of direct British administration. This marked the beginning of an era in which enhanced Indian nationalism propelled India towards freedom.