The hidden glories of Forgotten Fighters of Indian Independence

In the glory of nation,

Salutation from the entire population,,

Grateful to all the freedom fighters,

They died for making Bharat's future brighter,,

The sense of gratitude is for their sacrifices,

Their contribution is valuable than any price,,

The foreign powers had exploited our country and it's people,

They have sowed the seeds of divide among the equal,,

Need to learn more and more about the real heroes,

They have done the bestest even at their lows,,

Freedom is not at all achieved at free of cost, it has taken the lifes of our prudent and wise freedom fighters. They had used every technique to provide us the sweetest fruit of liberation and rights of living in free nation. If they had not done all the narrows and wides for the freedom struggle, the history could have been something very annoying and different. We are well known about our real heroes of freedom struggle yet there are some unsung heroes whose contributions are not less and our future generation must know about their sacrifices and utmost significant role. Learning history is very important as it teaches us not to repeat the same mistake again and take ways from other's experiences. 

Forgotten Fighters of Indian Independence: 

This year, India will celebrate its 77th independence day on August 15th. However, behind this glory and celebration lies a history of struggle and sacrifice by countless freedom fighters who fought against British colonial rule to secure India's independence.

However, many unsung freedom fighters have been overshadowed by some prominent historical figures. Their stories deserve to be remembered and honoured for generations to come as a reminder of the sacrifices made for India's freedom.

Gangadin Mehtar: An Unsung Warrior Who Killed 200 British Soldiers in the Battle of 1857 Singlehandedly

Gangadin Mehtar, Gangoo wrestler, or Gangu Baba was a gallant and brave rebel who challenged the oppressive British rule in India. He was a mid-level junior commissioned officer serving under Nana Saheb Peshwa in Kanpur who killed approximately 200 British soldiers in the battle of 1857. He instilled a deep fear among the British, earning him the reputation of a fierce warrior. The British considered him as a significant threat to their control in the region. 

He was finally apprehended by British troops. On September 8, 1859, he was executed in full view of the public. Before his death, he stated, "In the soil of India, our ancestors smelt of blood and sacrifice; one day it will be free."

Matangini Hazra: An Extraordinary Revolutionary who was Martyred in the Quit India Movement

Matangini Hazra was an incredible woman who was an Indian revolutionary and independence activist. She was born on October 19, 1870. She played a significant role in the Indian independence movement and was known for her fearlessness and dedication to the cause. She was the first woman to be martyred in the Quit India Movement against British rule in India.

Because of Gandhiji's beliefs, she earned the name "Gandhi Buri," which translates to "The Old Gandhian Woman." In 1905, she actively participated in the Indian Independence Movement, and she also took part in the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1932. However, she was arrested for breaking the law.Although she was arrested numerous times and faced brutal treatment, Matangini Hazra never wavered in her commitment to the fight for independence.

She was shot by British police on September 29, 1942, during a protest march in front of the Tamluk Thana, sacrificing her life for the cause.

Kanak Lata Barua: An AISF Leader who was Shot Dead by the Indian Imperial Police of the British Raj

Kanaklata Barua, also known as Birbala and Shaheed (martyr), was an Indian independence activist and AISF leader. During the Quit India Movement in 1942, she was shot and killed by the British Raj's Indian Imperial Police while leading a procession bearing the National Flag.

From her childhood, she had a strong sense of patriotism and dedication to the cause of Indian independence. At the age of 17, the young and brave Kanaklata, with a heart full of love for the motherland, joined Mrityu Bahini, a death squad of youth from Assam. The Bahini decided to raise the national flag at the neighbourhood police station on September 20, 1942. To do this, Barua led a group of unarmed peasants. Rebati Mahan Som, the official in charge of the police station, told the procession that their plot would result in terrible consequences for the police. 

When the police opened fire on the parade after issuing the warning, it was still moving forward. In all this chaos, Kanaklata was shot dead while holding the flag high, becoming a martyr for the Indian freedom struggle. The young leader sacrificed her life.

The Chapekar Brothers: Three Heroic Brothers Who Assassinated Walter Charles Rand

The Case of the Chapekar Brothers is one of the most underrated stories of resistance in Indian history. During the bubonic plague of 1896, which struck in the district of Pune, Maharashtra, the British government formed a Special Plague Committee. Walter Charles Rand, an Indian Civil Services (ICS) officer, served as the committee's chairperson to address the threat and stop the disease's spread. In his reign, he implemented harsh measures that included forced entry into homes, segregation of families, and destruction of personal property. They even stripped and inspected individuals (including women) in public, evacuated people to hospitals and segregated camps, banned funerals, and slowed transportation outside the city. To end his terror, the Chapekar brothers and other revolutionaries of the ‘Chapekar Club’ plotted the assassination of the ICS officer.

On June 22, 1897, they assassinated W.C. Rand and Lieutenant Ayerst (his military escort). However, the three brothers were found guilty and hanged for their actions, becoming martyrs in the fight against British colonial rule in India. This incident became fuel for the growing independence movement in India, inspiring more individuals to take up arms against British oppression.