Why in the News?

This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in the Indian Express.

Women in Revolutionary Movements:

Pritilata Waddedar:

• Early Life: Born on 5 May 1911 in Chittagong. One of the first Bengali women to lead an armed revolutionary group.
• Education: Graduated in philosophy from Bethune College, Kolkata; became a school teacher.
• Inspiration: Influenced by revolutionary literature and women’s activism; joined Deepali Sangha.
• Role: Collected bomb cases, distributed pamphlets, gathered jail intelligence by posing as relatives.
• Legacy: Left a suicide note explaining her cause; remembered as a fearless martyr.

Kalpana Datta:

• Early Life: Born in 1913 in Sripur, Chittagong; studied at Bethune College, joined Chhatri Sangha.
• Activities: Conducted reconnaissance before the European Club attack; arrested a week earlier.
• Later Role: Joined bombing attempt to free Surya Sen; sentenced to life, released in 1939.
• Post-freedom: Became a Communist Party leader, focused on social activism.

Bina Das:

• Early Life: At 21, attempted assassination of Governor Stanley Jackson (1932) with a revolver supplied by Kamala Das Gupta.
• Networks: Part of secret revolutionary student circles.
• Court Statement: Famous for her passionate resistance plea before Calcutta High Court.

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain:

• Early Life: Born on 9 December 1880; pioneer of women’s rights and education.
• Writings: Authored “Sultana’s Dream” (1908), envisioning a feminist utopia.
• Institutions: Founded the first school for Muslim girls in Kolkata; formed Muslim Women’s Association (1916).
• Activism: Led women’s conferences, challenged purdah, advocated education.

Kamala Das Gupta:

• Early Life: Born in Dhaka; completed MA in history at Kolkata. Initially Gandhian, later joined Jugantar.
• Role: Provided shelter, weapons, and materials; arrested multiple times.
• Connection: Supplied Bina Das with revolver for her assassination attempt.
• Legacy: Wrote “Rakter Akshare” and “Swadhinata Sangrame Nari”; led refugee relief and vocational training.

Nanibala Devi:

• Early Life: Disguised as a revolutionary’s wife; spied in prisons for intelligence.
• Sacrifice: Endured brutal police torture (including red chili powder) without revealing secrets.
• End: Died in poverty but symbolised courage and resilience.

Labanya Prabha Ghosh:

• Early Life: Born on 14 August 1897, Purulia.
• Contribution: Helped establish Shilpashram, hub of revolutionaries like Subhas Bose, C.R. Das.
• Political Role: First woman MLA from Purulia; wrote and edited nationalist journals.
• Later Activism: Led movements for land rights, justice for the poor.

Matangini Hazra (“Gandhi Buri”):

• Early Life: Born in 1870, Hogla village, Midnapore; widowed young, lived in poverty.
• Freedom Struggle: Joined Salt Satyagraha, arrested for making salt; resisted chowkidari tax.
• Repression: Imprisoned and beaten; served the sick during epidemics.
• Martyrdom: Killed by police firing while leading Quit India procession (1942), holding the tricolour until death.

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