INDIAN LEADERS

 

India's Real Heroes

The land of Vedas, India has been the home to many great political minds. The likes of Chanakya, Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi have been born on this ancient land. The ideologies of these leaders have inspired millions across the globe. Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of non-violence and Satyagraha served as the two important pillars on which the country won its independence. The contribution of other famous freedom fighters like Subash Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sarojini Naidu, is engraved in golden letters in the Indian history. While Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who is referred to as the ‘Iron Man of India’ was involved in the formation of the states which constitute the present India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the brains behind the mammoth constitution of the country. The legacy of Gandhi was carried forward by the leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jayprakash Narayan and Indira Gandhi, The leaders had a mammoth task of leading the country on the path of economic sustainability and it was only under their guidance that the country steered onto the path of advancement. They led the country from the front, without being showing any inclination to either of the power blocs. To know more about the political leaders of India, read the brief biography of the Indian political leaders.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose:

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a freedom fighter of India. He was the founder of the Indian National Army. During pre-independence period Netaji had visited London to discuss the future of India, with the members of the Labor party.

Born: January 23, 1897

Place of Birth: Cuttack, Orissa 

Parents: Janakinath Bose (father) and Prabhavati Devi (mother)

Spouse: Emily Schenkel

Children: Anita Bose Pfaff

Education: Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Cuttack; Presidency College, Calcutta; University of Cambridge, England

Associations: Indian National Congress; Forward Bloc; Indian National Army

Movements: Indian Freedom Movement

Political Ideology: Nationalism; Communism; Fascism-inclined;

Religious Beliefs: Hinduism

Publications: The Indian Struggle (1920–1942)

Death: August 18, 1945

Memorial: Ren Koji Temple, Tokyo, Japan; Netaji Bhawan, Kolkata, India

    Bal Gangadhar Tilak:

Date of Birth: 23 July 1856 Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a social reformer and freedom fighter. He was one of the prime architects of modern India and strongest advocates of Swaraj (Self Rule). He was universally recognized as the "Father of Indian Movement". 

Place of Birth: Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

Parents: Gangadhar Tilak (father) and Parvati bai (mother)

Spouse: Tapi bai renamed Satyabhama bai

Children: Ramabai Vaidya, Parvatibai Kelkar, Vishwanath Balwant Tilak, Rambhau Balwant Tilak, Shridhar Balwant Tilak, and Ramabai Sane.

Education: Deccan College, Government Law College.

Association: Indian National Congress, Indian Home Rule League, Deccan Educational Society

Movement: Indian Independence Movement

Political Ideology: Nationalism, Extremism.

Religious Beliefs: Hinduism

Publications: The Arctic Home in the Vedas (1903); Shrimad Bhagvat Gita Rahasya (1915)

Passed Away: 1 August 1920 

Memorial: Tilak Wada, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

Bhagat Singh:

Bhagat Singh was among the prominent revolutionaries who shaped the base of a grand national movement. Following his execution, on March 23, 1931, the supporters and followers of Bhagat Singh regarded him as a "Shaheed", "martyr". Bhagat Singh is considered to be one of the most influential revolutionaries of Indian Nationalist Movement. He became involved with numerous revolutionary organizations and played an important role in the Indian National movement. He died a martyr at the age of just 23 years. Following his execution, on March 23, 1931, the supporters and followers of Bhagat Singh regarded him as a "Shaheed" (martyr). 

Born: September 28, 1907 

Place of Birth: Village Banga, Tehsil Jaran Wala, District Lyallpur, Punjab (in modern day Pakistan)

Parents: Kishan Singh (father) and Vidyavati Kaur (mother)

Education: D.A.V. High School, Lahore; National College, Lahore 

Associations: Nau jawan Bharat Sabha, Hindustan Republican Association, Kirti Kisan Party, Kranti Dal.

Political Ideology: Socialism; Nationalism; Anarchism; Communism

Religious Beliefs: Sikhism (childhood and teen); Atheism (youth)

Publications: Why I Am An Atheist: An Autobiographical Discourse, The Jail Notebook And Other Writings, Ideas of a Nation 

Death: Executed on March 23, 1931

Memorial: The National Martyrs Memorial, Hussain Wala, Punjab

Chandrasekhar Azad:

A contemporary of Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad was a born firebrand revolutionary. He engaged in a heroic battle against the British. His role was crucial in inspiring the others of his generation to participate in the national movement for freedom. 

Date of Birth: July 23, 1906 

Birth Name: Chandra Shekhar Tiwari

Place of Birth: Bhavra village in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh

Parents: Pandit Sita Ram Tiwari (father) and Jagrani Devi (mother)

Education: Sanskrit Pathashala in Varanasi

Association: Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) later renamed Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

Movement: Indian Freedom Struggle

Political Ideology: Liberalism; Socialism; Anarchism

Religious views: Hinduism

Passed Away: February 27, 1931

Memorial: Chandrashekhar Azad Memorial (Shahid Smarak), Orchha, Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh

Lal Bahadur Shastri:

He devoted his life for the pride and honor of the country. Shastri was regarded as man of principles. Lal Bahadur Shastri offered his resignation as Union Railway Minister; hours after he was made aware of a train accident that killed around 150 people.

Born: 2 October 1904

Place of Birth: Mughal Sarai, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Parents: Sharada Prasad Shrivastava (Father) and Ramdulari Devi (Mother)

Wife: Lalita Devi

Children: Kusum, Hari Krishna, Suman, Anil, Sunil and Ashok

Education: Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi

Political Association: Indian National Congress

Movement: Indian Independence Movement

Political Ideology: Nationalist; Liberal; Right-wing

Religious views: Hinduism

Passed Away: 11 January 1966

Memorial: Vijay Ghat, New Delhi

Mahatma Gandhi:

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest national and civil rights leaders of the 20th century. He served as a lawyer, politician, and activist in the struggle for social justice and for India’s independence from British rule. Gandhi is internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest (satyagraha) to achieve political and social progress.

Died On: January 30, 1948

Place Of Death: New Delhi, India

Notable Alumni: Inner Temple, London, Samaldas Arts College, Bhavnagar

Cause Of Death: Assassination

Epitaphs: Hey Ram