People throughout the world know of Mohandas K. Gandhi, better known by the sobriquet “Mahatma,” mean “great souled one.” They also have at least an inkling of Gandhi’s importance not only to India, but also to people in other nations who found themselves oppressed or held down, and who found their own leaders who rose up to fight for social change.

How many people outside of India, though, know who Lomanya Tilak was? Well, he, too, was an Indian freedom fighter around the time that Gandhi was gaining the world’s attention for his struggle. What about Subhas Chandra Bose? These and others are names that are being remembered today as India strives to take its place in the developed world.

Some say that the remainder of the 21st century will belong, increasingly, to China and India–that they will lead the way economically and perhaps in other ways as well. That remains to be seen. But if they do, Indians will not want to forget their heritage, or the individuals who helped liberate their grandparents from foreign domination, helping to make possible today’s remarkable achievements.

Famous Freedom Fighters from India
By Rajni Seth

India was under the rule of the British for nearly 100 years, finally attaining complete freedom on the 15th of August, 1947. Common people from different parts of the country came forward to join the freedom struggle. There are many who have gone unnamed for their selfless acts to achieve a free India. These people may have not been given any award or credit, but they will always be remembered in the hearts of every Indian.

But there are also those who are known for their courage and selflessness to lead the people by showing a united front. The first freedom fighter’s name that comes up in any Indian’s mind is Mahatma Gandhi. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, he became popularly known as ‘The Mahatma’ or ‘Gandhiji’. He gave the Indian people weapons such as non-violence and non-resistance to fight against the unjust British. Those following him were told to strictly adhere to them. Some of his famous campaigns against the tyrannical rule of the British include the Civil Disobedience, the Quit India movement, Dandi March and the Non-cooperation movement. His practices of Satyagraha or non-violent resistance has influenced leaders like former American leader Martin Luther King Jr., Myanmar’s quest for democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi and most notably anti-apartheid leader from South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Another prominent Indian freedom fighter was Lokmanya Tilak who was a teacher and scholar. He introduced prominent newspapers like “Maratha” and “Kesari” and spread the message of Swarajya and self-rule through them. He is well known for his statement - Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it. Subhas Chandra Bose is also recognized as one of the leading revolutionary freedom fighters of that era. He was jailed many times. He also founded the Indian National Army. Sardar Vallabhai Patel popularly known as the Iron Man of India was another great freedom fighter. Giving up his law practice he went on to fight for India’s freedom.

The first Prime Minister of free India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech ‘Tryst with Destiny’ on the eve of Indian independence, will be a glorious moment in Indian history. A charismatic and radical leader, he was one of the youngest to lead the Indian National Congress and was a youth icon throughout the country. Revolutionary freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh and Khudiram Bose were eternally symbolized as courageous and brave individuals who laid down their lives for the country at an early age.

Rabindra Nath Tagore and Swami Vivekanada, although not vocal in their participation towards the freedom struggle should nonetheless be mentioned for their contributions towards Indian independence in terms of prose and poetry. Ashfaqulla Khan, Ramprasad Bismil, Madame Cama, Aurobindo Ghosh, Suhdev, Surya Sen, Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, and many others will forever be etched into people’s hearts for their countless acts of valor and bravery.

As Indians, many of us fail to realize the impact of what these freedom fighters did for us nearly 60 years ago. Yet their heroic deeds are still engraved in people’s minds. What we, as the future of India should always remember, is the struggle they went through just so that we could have a better future. The freedom that we take for granted today has been given to us by people who are no longer alive to tell us how they lived each day during those tough and trying times. Let us remember not only those freedom fighters who are well known, but also those who died in the freedom struggle without having their names honoured.

More resources for Indian Freedom Fighters and Mahatma Gandhi’s biography.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rajni_Seth
http://EzineArticles.com/?Famous-Freedom-Fighters-from-India&id=944011

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