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Prominent Figures of the Indian Freedom Movement
Allan Octavian Hume (1829-1912)
A retired English member of the Indian Civil Services who
sympathised with the Indian causeand propagated the ideals of the
Congress in Britain. He founded the Indian NationalCongress in 1885
and was its first General Secretary.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920)
An aggressive freedom fighter popularly known as 'The Father of
Indian Unrest'. His politicalcareer began in 1896 during the famine
in the Deccan. His followers along with himpreached the relevant
sections of the Famine Relief Code and motivated the people to
bebold and fearless in demanding their rights. He was first Indian
leader to give theslogan "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have
it". He is the author of Gita-Rahasayathrough which he taught the
people to fight against oppression and unrighteousness. Hestarted
two well-known newspapers: Kesari(Marathi) and Maratha (English) to
rouse nationalsentiments. The three leaders: Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal
Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Palare known in the history of
Indian freedom movement as 'Lal, Bal, Pal'.
Bipin Chandra Pal (1858-1932)
One of the extremist leaders of the freedom struggle and an
ardent supporter of the boycottof foreign goods, the Swadeshi
movement and national education. He did not believe inDominion
Status and wanted full-fledged independence. Achieved national
stature afterpartition of Bengal. In the 1907 Surat Congress
session, he fought for Tilak's candidature forpresidentship.
Dadabhai Naoroji (1824-1917)
Also known as the 'Grand Old Man of India', he was a prominent
Congress leader andworked for Swaraj in England which was the
centre of his political activities. He was the firstIndian to be
elected member of the House of Commons from a London county.
Heauthored Povertyand Un-British Rule in India.
Surendranath Bannerji (1848-1925)
He entered the Indian Civil Services in 1869 but was dismissed
for a minor irregularity. Hethen established the Rippon College of
which he remained the Principal for several years.Surendranath
Bannerji started a daily newspaper 'Bengal' which was published in
English.He was the president of Indian National Congress twice
(1895 and 1902).
Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866-1915)
Started as a maths teacher and rose to the position of Principal
of the well-known FergusonCollege, Pune. He played a commendable
role in the Imperial Legislative Council of whichhe was a member in
1902. He founded 'The Servants of India Society' and served
asPresident of the Indian National Congress in 1907.
Ms Annie Besant (1847-1933)
Also known as the 'Grand Old Lady of Indian Nationalism'. She
became member of theTheosophical Society in 1889 and became its
President in 1907. She settled in India andworked for the social
upliftment of the people. Ms Annie Besant joined the Congress and
in1916 inaugurated the All India 'Home Rule League' in Madras. She
played a prominent rolein uniting militant and moderate leaders at
the Congress session in Lucknow in 1920. Latershe left the Congress
but continued to serve India. She translated the Bhagawad Gita
intoEnglish.
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Lala Lajpat Rai (1865-1928)
A dedicated social worker educationist, he joined the Indian
National Congress in 1888. Hesupported the extremist leaders in the
1907 Congress split-along with Tilak. Lal Lajpat Raistarted and
edited a newspaperYoung India, presided over the 1920 Congress
Session andbecame member of the Indian Legislative Assembly in
1923. In 1920 he led the non-
cooperation movement in Punjab and was sent to jail. On a visit
to Lahore on October 30,1928, he suffered severe lathi blows in a
police attack and later died of injuries. He is alsocalled
'Sher-e-Punjab' and 'Punjab Kesri'.C. R. Das (1870-1925)
Also known as 'Deshbandhu', a lawyer in the Calcutta Bar he
entered politics in 1920. Hepresided over the Gaya Congress session
and along with Motilal Nehru and Hakim AjmalKhan launched the
'Swaraj Party' in 1923.
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946)
He joined the Congress in 1886 and was twice elected President
of the Indian NationalCongress. He represented the Hindu community
at the Round Table Conference andfounded the Nationalist Party to
protect rights of the Hindu community.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
Known as 'Father of the Nation' and 'Bapu', he was a true
believer of non-violence. He ledthe Indian National Movement from
1920 to 1947. He worked for Hindu-Muslim unity but wasassassinated
in 1948.
Subhash Chandra Bose (1897)
Also known as 'Netaji', he resigned from the Indian Civil
Service in 1921 and supported thenon-cooperation movement led by
Gandhiji. He was elected president of the Congress in1938 but left
the Congress in 1939 and formed the 'Forward Black' party. Subhash
ChandraBose was arrested during World War II but escaped from India
and went to Japan where heformed theIndian National Army(INA) to
fight the British but was unsuccessful due to
Japan's surrender after the war. It was Netaji's wish to unfurl
the national-flag at the Red Fortin Delhi. It is thus in his
remembrance that the National Flag is unfurled every year at
RedFort on August 15. He also gave the slogan 'Jai Hind' to the
nation. He is believed to havedied in an air-crash in 1945.Motilal
Nehru (1861-1931)
A national leader of the Gandhian era; a noted lawyer of the
Allahabad High Court, MotilalNehru joined the Home Rule League in
1917 and was elected president of the IndianNational Congress in
1930. He founded the Swaraj Party and donated his palatial
house'Anand Bhawan' (later known as Swaraj Bhawan) to the
Congress.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950)
Also known as the 'Iron Man of India' Sardar Patel was Home
Minister in independent India's
cabinet during which time he worked tirelessly for the
integration of the Indian princely states.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958)
A great national leader who believed in communal harmony, he was
elected President of theIndian National Congress in 1923 and was a
close associate of Gandhiji. He remained UnionMinister of Education
from January 1947 till his death on February 22,1958.
Dr Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963)
Joined the Congress in 1911. He also edited a Hindi weekly
called Desh. He is said to have
