(Compiled by Aparna Sajinath)
After struggling for over a century against the British, India’s independence is a result of the unending quest of the nationalists for "Swaraj".
Many stories have been told, many heroes have been honoured. Amidst these tales of valour and perseverance written down in the history books, lie countless stories of bravery, untold. Here are some tales of the unsung heroes who worked selflessly for the nation’s independence.
A ferocious rebellion that broke out in 1806 in Vellore was the result of changes made in the attire regulations of Indian soldiers.
The outbreak caused by the prohibition of turbans and other religious symbols, the Vellore revolt, is regarded as the precursor of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Many Britishers were murdered by the renegades, and the Tipu Sultan flag was hoisted in the Fort.
[Rep Image]: In 1778, long before the struggle for independence had begun, Pahariyas, a martial tribe residing in the Raj Mahal hills in present-day Jharkhand, initiated a revolt against the British annexation of the Pahariya territories.
Under Raja Jagganath’s leadership, they raided the established settlements and launched an uprising against the British administration’s efforts to control the Chhottanagpur region. This remains a symbol of tribal nationalism and anti-colonial resistance.
Unwritten in the history books and less-mentioned in freedom stories, the courtesans played a pivotal role in the Indian independence struggle. Azeezunbai, a tawaif from Lucknow, was a detective during the day and a courtesan at night.
A devoted patriot, she fought on the battlefield for her motherland and charmed the British into giving her information. Her kotha served as a hideout and refuge for the rebels.
Even though Rani Chennama of Kittur battled the British way before Rani Laxmi Bai did, her story is among the lesser known.
With a strong determination to uphold her kingdom’s legacy, she bravely confronted and defeated the British forces in the first battle but was later captured and put behind bars. Admired as one of India's bravest women, her rebellion symbolises resilience and heroism.
While the revolts led by peasants, workers and other groups were spreading across the nation, the maritime forces of India plotted a covert rebellion.
Indian sailors, soldiers, police officers, and civilians revolted against the British administration in India for various reasons. Often referred to as the last war of independence, it rose in Bombay and gained national support across Karachi to Calcutta.