1857

The courage and the devotion of the freedom fighters towards their motherland is the living spirit of India that has been passed on through the generations. This indomitable spirit still burns brightly in the hearts of all the Indians. The living spirit India manifests itself whenever the country calls upon her sons for protection and defence. Even after Independence the ensuing battles, to uphold the sovereignty of the country, have seen heroic martyrs who've answered the call of their mother land with their lives. The living spirit of India is therefore, immortal.

Some Prominent Martyrs of the Country.

Tatia Tope
He was the here of the Revolt of 1857, he was among the first to raise his voice for the freedom of his country. The British rulers feared this courageous and mighty general. When he was deceived by his friend, he faced his death like a hero.

Rani Laxmi Bai
She symbolizes the bravery of Indian women and their sacrifice for the country. She led her troops to battle against the British in the Revolt of 1857. One of the first women martyrs of the country.

Mahatma Gandhi
The Mahatma who is considered to be the father of the nation was the architect of India's freedom and arguably the greatest man of this century. Gandhiji's life was dedicated to the ideals of Truth, Non- violence and Love. He led the non violent movement for freedom and became an ambassador of peace to the world.

Sardar Patel
India's Man of Steel as he is better known is responsible for the existence of united India today. During the indepenence procedures, he managed to persuade the different princely states to join the Indian Union and make India a single country.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak
He gave the people a strong cause to fight for when he said "Swaraj is our birthright". He was an indefatigable worker for India's freedom and development, he founded schools and published newspapers. He wore himself out, in his bid to awaken the sleeping patriotism of his fellowmen.

Bhagat Singh
He was a fierce patiot, a young revolutionary. His bravery has made him i a symbol of the heroism of the youth of India. He threw a bomb when the Legislature was in session, to warn the British Government. He was executed by the British Government but lives on in the heart of India as a beloved hero.

Khudiram Bose
Khudiram Bose was the hero who threw the first bomb on the British. He was just a boy of sixteen when he defied the police and at the young age of nineteen, he became a martyr for the country.

Ashfaqualla Khan
He was the young pathan patriot who kissed his hangman's noose and gave up his soul with the name of Allah on his lips. A courageous young man endowed with a will of steel, he dedicated everything to the service of India and her struggle for freedom.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Azad took part in the Khalifat movement. He wrote in a revolutionary journal called Al Hilal. He joined the Indian National Congress (I.N.C) in January 1920. He presided over the special session of Congress in September 1923 and at 35 years of age, was the youngest man to be elected the President of the Congress.

Surendranath Banerjee
Surendranath Banerjee played a major part in channelizing the youth forces of Bengal towards the the struggle for freedom. He served as the President of the Indian National Congress twice, in 1895 and 1902. He became the editor of a paper called "Bengalee" from 1878 and wrote fearlessly on patriotism, freedom, unity and culture.

Jatin Banerjee
Jatin Banerjee's name figures among the foremost freedom fighters. He spent much time in jail for assaulting thr British police officers and earned the epithet of Bhaga for his fearless exploits.

Dr. Annie Besant
Annie Besant was born of Irish parents in London but made India her home from November, 1893. It was said of her that "there was scarcely any modern reform (in England) for which she had not worked, written spoken and suffered." She was the one who started the Home Rule league in India.

1857

The Revolt of 1857 shook the very foundation of the British rule in India. In March 1857, the Indian army at Barrackpore mutinied and this rebellion spread to the other areas to become a bid for Indian independence.The revolt proved a turning point in India's history though it was suppressed by the British. It was the first serious attempt of a large section of the country to throw off the British yoke. The uprising was expression of widespread discontent with and anger towards the British rule.After the revolt the British parliament took over the entire responsibility of governing India.

1929
Mahatma Gandhi led the civil Disobedience Movement which was launched in the Congress Session of December 1929. The aim of this movement was a complete disobedience of the orders of the British Government. It during this movement that it was decided that India would celebrate 26th January as Independence day all over the country. On 26th January 1930 meetings were held all over the country and the Congress tricolour was hoisted .

1942
We shall either free India or die in the attempt; We shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery" - Mahatma Gandhi ( Quit India Movement) The Congress passed the famous Quit India resolution at a session in Bombay. The movement called for non-violent but wide spread struggle for India's freedom. But before the Congress could start the movement, the government arrested all the major leaders and the Congress was declared illegal. Spontaneous popular revolts broke out through out the country with the battle cry of 'British Quit India'.

Indian National Congress
In 1885, the Indian National Congress was formed under the guidance of Allen Octavian Hume. The INC became the the chief organization representing the will of the common people and led the Indians in their struggle for freedom. Under the presidentship of Womesh Chandra Banerjee, the Congress held it's first meeting in December 1885 at Bombay. After that, the Congress held the succeeding meetings every year in December in the different parts of the country. The congress initially followed the strategy of Petition, Pray and Protest. It highlighted the need for giving Indians greater power in legislative councils and 'to check the Drain of wealth' - a theory which was put forward by Dadabhai Naoroji.