Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Interested in exploring white sand, flowing lakes, green mountains, blue sea and paddy fields? If your answer is yes, then Kashid is the place for you. Placed amidst the Konkan region of Maharashtra, Kashid can be best defined as an offbeat tourist destination. Kashid is a gift of nature for tourists hassled by hectic chores and responsibilities of life. Till few years back, Kashid was a relatively unknown hill station. But heavy rush to other popular hill stations of Maharashtra forced tourists to explore new horizons and Kashid is one such find. Though, it has gained in popularity over the years yet, you can have your moments of silence and peace in this quaint and isolated paradise. Kashid has one of the best beaches in Maharashtra and Konkan region. The 3 km stretch of beach is perfectly tucked between two rocky mounds. Seashore is surrounded with casuarinas groves that make it further charming. The best part for beach lovers is that, Kashid beach is quite deserted. The beach receives heavy traffic on weekends but on week days, it is all quiet and serene. Surfers can have a wonderful time in Kashid because of unusually high waves. Few kilometers away from Kashid is Murud beach which has clear green water.
Among other sightseeing places in Kashid, Janjira fort is one place that you must visit. Located right in the middle of the sea, it is a historical monument that will give you a feel of our proud past. You can take ferry boats to the fort. You can also have a look at Nawab’s palace. You can offer your prayers at Ganapati Pule Temple, hilltop Datta Mandir and the stunning Birla Temple. Those who are interested in wildlife can visit Phansad sanctuary, just 10 kms away from Kashid beach. You can find different varieties of snakes, birds, butterflies, barking deer and leopard in this famous wildlife sanctuary.
The best way to visit Kashid is through road. If you have your own vehicle, nothing like that. Kashid is 30 km from Alibaugh and 135 km from Mumbai. If you want to enthrall your senses with picturesque rural scenery and seaside view, drive from Alibaug to Kashid. The driving experience itself will set the tempo for rest of your tour itinerary.
Annie Besant
“So long as I can serve India, I shall continue to do so. I love the Indian people as I love none other”, so wrote Annie Besant, in her paper ‘New India’. Born of Irish parents in London on October 1, 1847, Annie Besant made India her home since the day in November, 1893, when she landed at Tuticorin in Tamilnadu. Mahatma Gandhi once said about her that she awakened India from her deep slumber.
Few women of her generation had done so much to change people’s minds, beliefs, and attitudes. Till her 46th year when she came to India, Dr. Besant passed through several phases of life including, housewife, and propagator of atheism, trade unionist, feminist leader and Fabian socialist. By 1889, there was scarcely any modern reform in England for which she had not written, spoken, worked, and suffered. In 1908 Annie Besant became President of the Theosophical Society and began to steer the society away from Buddhism and towards Hinduism.
Once in India she totally involved herself with the country’s problem. With the theosophical society at Adyar in Madras (now Chennai) as her headquarters, she worked with tireless zeal for the freedom of the country. She named her movement ‘Home Rule’. She started a paper called ‘New India’ for carrying on her furious agendas. She attended for the first time the 1914 session of the Indian national congress and later on became its first woman president in 1917. In the meantime she launched the home rule league but failed to get the support of Balgangadher Tilak who has also started his own home rule league. She was opposed to the Satyagraha movement of Gandhiji as she was a constitutionalist.
Dr. Besant was associated with the scouts, movement from 1917 and the women’s Indian association from the same year. She started many educational institutions including the national college at Madanappalli and Hindu college at Banaras. She delivered the kamala lectures of the Calcutta University in 1925.
“She tried to follow truth”, she wanted these words to be her epitaph. With her passing away on September 21, 1933 the life of a great political leader, a social reformer and a standard- bearer of Indian culture came to an end.
Rani Lakshmibai
If we have to name one freedom fighter who was an epitome of courage and bravery then it must be Rani Lakshmibai. She was a leading warrior who left an indelible mark on the history of Indian freedom movement. Rani Lakshmibai was an inspiration for following women freedom fighters. She successfully redefined the role of women in Indian society. A symbol of generosity, patriotism, resistance, perseverance and self-respect, Rani Lakshmibai sacrificed her life on the altar of Indian freedom struggle. British rulers feared her and Indians revered her valour. She was also known as ‘Rani Lakshmi Bai or Rani of Jhansi’.
Rani Laxmibai was born on November 19, 1828 in a high class Brahmin family. Her initial name was Manikarnika or Manu as her family members affectionately used to call her. Along with her formal education, she also took training in adventurous skills like horse riding, fencing and shooting. At the age of 16, she got married to the Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao. Rani Lakshmi Bai gave birth to a child who unfortunately did not survive for long. Soon, Raja Gangadhar Rao fell sick and they decided to adopt Damodar Rao as their son. But the king did not survive for long and died on November 21, 1853. It shows the courage of Rani that she survived so many deaths at such a young age. Yet, she kept going and gradually took over all the responsibilities.
As soon as the Raja Gangadhar Rao died, the British Governor General Lord Dalhousie planned to take over Jhansi on the pretext that it did not have any legal heir. Damodar Rao, the adopted son was not considered as the legal heir of Jhansi and that set the ball rolling. Rani was asked to leave the fort and settle somewhere else. Rani Lakshmibai refused to surrender to British and called for an armed forces battle. She formed an army that had men warrior as well as women who were provided military training. During the battle in March 1858, she fought bravely for the Jhansi but finally British prevailed. She moved to Gwalior and Kalpi where she met Tantya Tope. But her battle did not last long and she lost her life in the battle of Gwalior. She breathed her last on June 18, 1958. The story of Rani Lakshmibai inspired generations of freedom fighters.
Bhikaji Cama
Bhikaji Cama is also known as Madam Cama and is considered as the mother of Indian revolution because of her contributions to Indian freedom struggle. Madam Cama holds an important place in the annals of Indian freedom movement. Her name symbolised courage, integrity and perseverance. Fearlessness was the hallmark of her personality. She gave it all so that India could secure its freedom. She was one of the initial freedom fighters. Born on September 24, 1861 in a rich Parsi family at Bombay, Bhikaji Cama received her formal education from Alexandra native Girl’s English Institution. She was a bright student and mastered many languages.
After her marriage to British lawyer Rustom Cama did not work as she had wanted, she devoted herself to various social activities and worked tirelessly for the upliftment of weaker sections of society. Madam Cama did great many socially relevant works and her contributions to Indian society have become a subject of legends. She was also a passionate nationalist. A turning point in her life came when Bombay Presidency was hit by deadly Plague in 1896. She rose to the occasion and devoted herself to the services of plague victims. Her involvement was so complete that she herself fell victim to this dreadful disease. Her condition deteriorated badly and she was advised to go to England for rest and further treatment. She reluctantly left for Britain in 1902. Even in an alien land, Madam Cama worked for promoting India’s freedom struggle. She also worked as a private secretary to great Indian nationalist Dadabhai Navaroji. She learned a lot from the legend and that further made her resolver stronger to work for the welfare of the people.
Bhikaji Cama soon became very popular in Britain. The rulers became so scared of her effects on people that they planned her assassination but she survived that and escaped to France. Her efforts did not slow down in France and in fact, she became a leading inspiration for revolutionaries. She sheltered several freedom fighters and kept sending help in form of cash and materials across the sea. British came to know of her movements and asked French Government for her extradition but France refused. Madam Cama is also credited with designing India’s first tricolour flag with green, saffron and red stripes bearing the immortal words – Vande Matram. After fighting tirelessly for India’s freedom struggle on foreign land for several years, she came back to India and left for heavenly abode on August 13, 1936.
Mangal Pandey
Mangal Pandey literally fuelled the fire of Indian freedom struggle. He gave rise to armed revolution against the British rule. His biggest contributions to Indian freedom struggle is that he gave belief to fellow fighters that British can be revolted against and they can be defeated as well. He led the first mass movement against the cruel British rulers. Not much is known about the childhood of Mangal Pandey. According to historians he was born on July 19, 1827 in the Nagwa village in the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh. Though, this fact is often debated by the historians for its authenticity. Mangal Pandey was a sepoy working under the British East India Company. He instigated the famous Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 which is also referred to as the India’s First War of Independence. Mangal Pandey was an extremely courageous revolutionary who fought for a cause. The main cause of the mutiny was the rumour that cartridges used by Indian sepoys were greased with the fat of pig and cow. This led to turbulence in religious belief of Hindu and Muslims sepoys. Mangal Pandey could not stand the injustice and attacked his senior British officers.
Till the date, the history books refer Mangal pandey as Shaheed Mangal Pandey. The word Shaheed is basically an Urdu word meaning martyr. He was a member of the 34th Regiment of the Bengal native infantry of the East India Company. He woke up the Indian masses to fight for the nation and against the injustice caused by British army. Mangal Pandey was a devout Hindu. The cartridges as rumoured were greased with tallow and lard. The sepoys were asked to bite off these cartridges to remove the cover prior to use. This affected the religious sentiments of Hindus and Muslims alike. On the other hand, it was believed that British officers had made this greasing mandatory in order to hurt the religious sentiments. Mangal Pandey could not stand this and fired the first salvo of revolution.
Mangal pandey attacked the British Sergeant on the parade ground. The native soldiers stood beside his actions. But soon, he was captured by the British army and sentenced to death on April 8, 1857. However, Mangal pandey ensured that Indians kept the flame of freedom struggle alive.
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Born on October 2, 1904, Lal Bahadur Shastri was the son of Sharada Prasad Shrivastava and Ramdulari Devi. His birth place was Mughalsarai in Uttar Pradesh. His father was a teacher and a man of integrity and honesty. The fact that, Lal Bahadur Shastri dropped his surname ‘Shrivastava’ as a symbolic gesture of protest against the prevailing caste system, says a lot about his beliefs and principles. Interestingly, the surname ‘Shastri’ was given to him as an award when he completed his graduation from kasha Vidyapeeth, Varanasi. The title ‘Shastri’ means a scholar. Shastri Ji lost his father when he was just one. His mother took care of Lal Bahadur and his two sisters.
Lal Bahadur Shastri’s foray into Indian freedom happened because of his fascination for inspiring stories and speeches of the national leaders. He was an avid reader and used to read books by Karl Marx and Lenin etc. This influenced his life in a major way and he decided to join the Indian Nationalist movement. He actively participated in Non-Cooperation Movement and was arrested for it. But the authorities had to release him because he was a minor. Later on, he joined the Congress party and became the president of Allahabad congress committee.
In the meantime, he got married to Lalita Devi without accepting anything in dowry and presented an example to the society. Lal Bahadur Shastri was a man of honour and honesty. He played a very active role in Salt movement and for that he spent nine years in prison. He made a valuable contribution to Quit India Movement. After the independence of India, he served in various positions. Initially, he was a member of Uttar Pradesh state cabinet. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru invited Lal Bahadur Shastri to join the Union Cabinet and he was assigned the crucial portfolio of Railways. After a train accident where more than 150 people lost their lives, he offered his resignation accepting the moral responsibility for the incident. That shows his ethics and morality.
He served in several cabinet positions before succeeding Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as India’s second Prime Minister. He aptly handled crucial issues like food shortage, unemployment and poverty. He was instrumental in initiating "Green Revolution" and “White Revolution”. Lal Bahadur Shastri showed exemplary courage and decision making skills when Pakistan attacked India during his tenure. He had said, "Force will be met with force” and crushed Pakistan comprehensively. After the war, he had gone to USSR to sign the Tashkent Declaration where he breathed his last. Lal Bahadur Shastri was the first person to be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu was one of the front rank leaders of the freedom struggle. She knew no fear as a person and as a patriot. Presiding over the 41st session of the Indian National Congress, she had said that, “in the battle for liberty, fear is the one unforgivable treachery and despair, the one unforgivable sin”. That one statement tells us a lot about one of the most reputed women leader of Indian freedom struggle.
Born to Aghornath Chattopadhyaya and Barada Sundari Devi in Hyderabad on February 13, 1879, Sarojini matriculated with distinction at an early age of 12. She continued her education in England, at the King’s college, London and Girton College, Cambridge. Before she could complete her education, she returned to India to married the person she loved. The chance encounter with Gopal Krishna Gokhale in Calcutta changed her life forever. Initially she joined Annie Besant’s Home Rule League and later joined the congress. By 1919 she had emerged as a strong political leader in her own right. Leaders across the political spectrum used to look at her with respect and awe.
Sarojini Naidu met Gandhiji in London in 1914. After returning from London she went round the country lecturing on welfare of youth, dignity of labour, women’s emancipation and nationalism. She presided over the Indian National Congress in 1925 and courted imprisonment during the salt Satyagraha in 1930. She was jailed again in 1942 when the Quit India movement was launched. She presided over the Asian Relations Conference in1947 and made one of her most memorable speeches.
Sarojini Naidu was also a wonderful poetess. As a poetess, she belonged to the romantic school. Her poems appeared in four collections, ‘The Golden Threshold’, The bird of Time, The Broken Wing, all collected under the title ”The Sceptred Flute”, and The Feather of Dawn. She was indeed a poet of freedom, love, and beauty. She was multilingual and she was equally proficient in Persian, Urdu, English, Bengali and Telugu.
After independence, Sarojini Naidu was made the Governor of Utter Pradesh. It was a well thought decision. But soon, she passed away suddenly on March 2, 1949 at the age of 70.
Bhagat Singh
There were so many leading lights in India’s freedom struggle. India’s fight for independence was a united cause in which thousands of people participated and sacrificed their lives. Indian history is rich with such heroes who made incomparable contributions to the country’s freedom. Some of them are still remembered by us even after 60 plus years of achieving freedom. One such legendary fighter was Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He is credited to shape the grand nationalist movement of the country. He was a prominent revolutionary whose role in the freedom struggle of India cannot be measured with words. Born on September 27, 1907 at Banga in Lyallpur district to Kishan Singh and Vidya Vati, Bhagat Singh had patriotism in his blood. His father and uncle, both were great Indian freedom fighters who also served terms in prison for their active participation.
During his school days, Bhagat Singh had actively followed the Non-Cooperation Movement called by Mahatma Gandhi. He was ardent follower of Gandhi Ji’s philosophy until Bapu withdrew the movement in protest to Chauri Chaura incidents. Bhagat Singh was not convinced with this decision and aligned himself with Young Revolutionary Movement. Bhagat Singh flatly refused to marry to the girl of his family choice citing his passion for India’s freedom struggle. He joined various radical and revolutionary groups like Hindustan Republican Association, Kirti Kisan Party and Naujawan Bharat Sabha.
To avenge the death of leading freedom fighter Lala lajpat rai, he planned assassination of Scott, the Superintendent of Police who had ordered lathi charge that led to Lala Ji’s death. He mistook J.P.Saunders as Scott and killed him instead. He fled to Lahore and to hide his identity, he shaved his beard and cut his hair, against the tenets of Sikhism. After the formulation of Defence of India Act, he and his party members conspired to explode bombs inside the assembly premises. He along with Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb in the corridors of the assembly and shouted ‘Inquilab Zindabad’.
Bhagat Singh along with Rajguru and Sukhdev was charged with the murder. Singh was asked to tender apology but he refused and made strong statements against the British rule. Bhagat Singh was finally sentenced to death and was hanged in Lahore on March 23, 1931. He was regarded as a Shaheed (Martyr) by his supporters and followers. Indian film industry has made several wonderful films based on the eventful life of Bhagat Singh.
Chandrasekhar Azad
Chandrasekhar Azad was one of the most famous Indian revolutionaries. He was a firebrand revolutionary who terrorised British with his bravery and guerrilla tactics. Chandrasekhar Azad was a contemporary to another fierce warrior, Bhagat Singh. Azad, as he was fondly known among his fellow freedom fighters, inspired generations of young Indians to fight for country’s independence. He was a crucial cog in the wheel of national movement for freedom. Chandrasekhar Azad was born to Pandit Sita Ram Tiwari and Jagrani Devi on July 23, 1906 in Badarka (Unnao). Chandrasekhar Tiwari was his original name.
After receiving his early education in Bhavra District in Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, Chandrasekhar Azad went to the Sanskrit Pathashala at Varanasi for further studies. The turning point in his life came during the Jalianwalabagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919. This incident left him shell-shocked and filled his heart with anger and hatred for English rulers. His first foray into the revolutionary activities took place when he was merely 15 years of age. He also participated in Non-Cooperation Movement for which he was sentenced to whiplashes by the court. There is an interesting anecdote of how he came to own ‘Azad’ as his surname.
When he was caught by British police and was presented to magistrate, he was asked his name. In response, he said ‘Azad’ meaning independence. Since that day, Chandrashekhar assumed the title of Azad and was known as Chandrashekhar Azad. Withdrawal of Non-Cooperation movement by Mahatma Gandhi alienated Azad and Bhagat Singh from Gandhi Ji’s policies and they decided to follow armed revolutionary way. He was fascinated by violent revolutionary ideals and means. Chandrasekhar Azad carried out several attacks on British officials including the famous Kakori Train Robbery in 1926 and assassination of J.P Saunders in 1928.
Azad became the most wanted freedom fighter for British police but he kept evading them. Such as his terror that British police wanted him dead or alive. One unfortunate day, Azad was betrayed by a close associate of his and was surrounded by heavily armed British officials at Alfred Park, Allahabad. He was asked to surrender but he kept fighting courageously and killed three policemen. But his ammunition soon got exhausted and he shot himself in the head with his last bullet. He preferred to die than being caught by the British.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Patriot and scholar, Bal Gangadhar Tilak knew no religion but believed in the unity of the country. His life was a saga of suffering and sacrifice for the sake of his country. He knew no respite from the lifelong battle he waged against the foreign ruler. He had famously declared, “Swaraj is my birth-right and I will have it”. This one statement had a ripple effect on the collective subconscious of Indian people.
Lokmanya Tilak was born on July 23, 1856 in Ratnagiri. He was the son of Gangadhar Pant and Parvatibai. ‘Bal’ was the loving name given to him by his mother that remained with him. He had his early education at Poona (Pune) city school and then, Deccan College. He also received the L.L.B. degree in 1879. In the meantime, he got married to Tapibaiin in 1871.
Tilak’s public life began as a teacher at New English School, Pune. The school was started by himself along with Vishnu Shastri. Lokmanya Tilak soon turned to Journalism and in 1881 started the English weekly Mahratta and Marathi weekly Kesari which he edited jointly with Agarkar. He was extremely proficient in subjects like religion, law and politics. His open and direct writing did not go down well with British authorities who sentenced him to a jail term on charge of defamation.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak started an arts college following the formation of Deccan Education society in 1885. Tilak attended the Bombay session of the Congress in 1889 as a representative of Pune. It was at this session that the trio, Lokmanya Tilak, Lajpat Rai, and B.C.Pal, popularly known as trio of Lal-Bal-Pal met. He attended the subsequent sessions of the Congress until the split between the moderates and extremists at the Surat session took place in 1907. Meanwhile he was also elected to the Bombay legislative Council in 1885 and 1887.
Tilak was arrested for sedition again, the main charge being that he attempted to excite feelings of disaffection to the government established by law in British India. He was sent to Mandalay jail in Burma, where he wrote his immortal commentary ‘Gita Rahasya’ on the Bhagvad Gita. In 1916, he started Home Rule League, which sought self rule. He also wrote ‘Arctic Home in the Vedas’ in 1903.
Lokmanya Tilak is credited to popularize Ganesha worship and Shivaji Jayanti as a social festival to unite the countrymen. He opposed the Age Of Consent Bill, terming it an act of interference with the Hinduism although he personally was against the child marriage. Tilak left for London to fight his case against Sir Valentine Chirol for defamation in his book ‘Indian Unrest’.
Tilak was chosen for the Presidentship of Congress in 1920. On July 28, 1920, Gandhiji announced the launching of the non-cooperation movement. On the same day the movement was to begin, Tilak passed away after a severe attack of Malaria. Among the bearers of the bier that carried this great son of India in his final journey, were Gandhiji, Maulana Shaukat Ali and Dr. Kitchlew.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Dr. Rajendra Prasad has the unique distinction of being the first President of independent India. He played a very influential role in the freedom struggle of India. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was one of the foremost disciples of Mahatma Gandhi. His contribution as a freedom fighter and as a president was truly remarkable. Born on December 3, 1884 in the Ziradei village in the Siwan district of Bihar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was a brilliant student throughout his academic career. He was born to Mahadev Sahay and Kamleshwari Devi. His father was a Sanskrit and Persian language scholar. Dr. Prasad was very attached to his elder brother Mahendra Prasad.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s first brush of education came under the guidance of a Maulavi. He learned Persian, Hindi and arithmetic. Right from his childhood, Dr. Prasad was a bright student. He topped in the matriculation examination and later on joined prestigious Presidency College in Calcutta. There also, he continued his excellent academic performance and completed his M.A and Masters in Law. In the meantime, his brother introduced him to the Swadeshi movement that proved to be a life-altering moment for him.
As he delved deeper into the freedom movements, he came into the contact of Mahatma Gandhi. Thereafter, Dr. Rajendra Prasad had just one dream and that was of seeing an independent India. He devoted himself to the services of the nation and considered Gandhi Ji as his political and spiritual guru. Rajendra Prasad was man of courage, dedication, conviction and utmost sincerity. His name symbolised honesty and modesty. He was an active participant in crucial freedom movements like Non Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha and Champaran Agrarian Agitation. Dr. Rajendra Prasad is still remembered for his legendary contribution in raising funds for earthquake victims in 1934.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected congress president several times. Once the British left the country, he was unanimously elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Constitution. In 1950, he was elected as the first President of the Republic of India. Dr. Rajendra Prasad served the country for twelve years. He relinquished the post in 1962. He was also honoured with the nation’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna. Dr. Prasad breathed his last on February 28, 1963.
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
 Chakravarty Rajagopalachari, affectionately known as Rajaji, was an ardent patriot, clever politician, pioneering social reformer, keen thinker, profound scholar, accomplished author, outstanding administrator and wise statesman. Above all, he was a moral giant and a crusader for freedom, democracy and human rights. Born on December 10, 1878, in Hosur taluk of Salem district in Tamil Nadu, Rajaji had his early education in his village of Thorapolli. He received his high school and collegiate education in Bangalore and Madras. He qualified himself for the bar and started legal practice at Salem in 1900, when he was just 22. He built up a lucrative practice and also started taking active interest in municipal affairs. Even before he started his legal practice, Chakravarty Rajagopalachari’s mind was getting ready for his eventual participation in the national struggle for freedom. He attended the Surat session of the Congress in 1907. He first met Gandhiji in 1919 and had the first experience of jail life in 1921. Deeply interested in tackling social evils, he first directed his attention to Prohibition. He also popularized khadhi through his speeches and writings. He also led the salt Satyagraha in South India and was eventually jailed for that. Rajaji was gifted with a rare talent of re-telling stories from the epics and Puranas and applying their morals to the needs of the modern time. His books on the Upanishads, Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, etc. have almost become classics. Rajaji was a karmayogi. He was never afraid of standing alone, and whenever national interest demanded he put himself in her service. Rajaji became the Prime Minister of Madras Presidency in 1937. He resigned from the congress in 1942 on the issue of Quit India Movement. He rejoined it in 1946 and served in the interim government. After the independence, he became the first Governor of West Bengal. In 1948 he became the Governor General after Mountbatten. In 1951 he became the minister of Home Affairs and was subsequently given the Bharat Ratna in 1954. Rajagopalachari drifted away from the Congress and formed the Swtantra party which was against socialism involving state planning and control of various economic activities. He went to the U.S. in 1962 as the leader of an Indian delegation to plead against the piling up of nuclear weapons of destruction. He passed away in Madras on Christmas Day, December 25, 1972 at the age of 94. |
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the leading lights of the Indian Independence Movement. He was a senior freedom fighter and also a respected leader of the Indian National Congress. He was widely respected because of his knowledge and intellect. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was also considered as the political Guru of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. He was one of the founding leaders of the Indian independence movement. He was not just a political leader but also a social reformer. Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born to Krishna Rao and Valubai in Kothluk in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. After receiving his early education in Kothaout, he moved to Bombay for higher studies. It is said that Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the first Indians to complete graduation and that is no mean achievement. Gokhale completed his graduation in arts from the Elphinstone College, Bombay. Thereafter, he joined Fergusson College, Poona as professor of history and political economy. His higher knowledge base made him see all the spheres of Indian freedom movement. He had a keen eye for effects of virtues like liberty, democracy and parliamentary system of the government. Gopal Krishna Gokhale considered Mahadev Govind Ranade as his ‘Guru’. Ranade was a great leader and scholar. He was also renowned social reformer. Together, they worked in establishing ‘Servants of India Society’ and in a quarterly Journal, called ‘Sarvajanik’.
Gokhale was a prominent face of the Indian National Congress. He consistently raised his voice against the policies of British government. He was also sent to England on behalf of Congress to present India's constitutional demands among the British leaders. His efforts led to formation of Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909. His perseverance ensured that Indians had access to seats of the highest authority within the government.
The first meeting between two stalwarts of Indian freedom movement, Gokhale and Gandhi took place in South Africa in 1912. Gopal Krishna Gokhale made Mahatma Gandhi aware of issues faced by the people of India. No wonder, Gandhi Ji, considered him as his ‘Mentor and Guide’ in his autobiography. Gokhale also played a crucial role in shaping the beliefs and ideologies of Jinnah. Gopal Krishna Gokhale finally, passed away on February 19, 1915, but before that he ensured that nation was on its way to attain freedom.
Indian freedom struggle is enriched with numerous heroes and great leaders. Most of the freedom fighters sacrificed their family, comfort, jobs and ultimately lives to make India an independent nation. We can only salute to such heroes who made it possible for us to breathe in a free air. One such legendary freedom fighter and an imminently knowledgeable person was the first prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. Also known as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, he was one of the foremost leaders of Indian freedom struggle. The Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi had realised the infinite potential of his favourite disciple at an early age. Jawaharlal Nehru literally shaped the destiny of free India. No wonder, he is also called as the architect of modern India. Let’s have a look at Jawaharlal Nehru biography. 
Lala Lajpat Rai was born on January 28, 1865. He was fondly known as Lala ji among the people. Lala Lajpat Rai was one of the foremost freedom fighters in India. Born in village Dhudike in the present day Moga district of Punjab, Lala ji was designated the title of Punjab Kesari (Lion of the Punjab) which tells a lot about his contributions and efforts in the Indian 
Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the most fearsome names among the British Rulers in pre-independence India. A legend and a great freedom fighter, Subhas Chandra Bose was popularly known as ‘Neta Ji (respected leader)’ because of his leadership qualities and almost religious devotion to India’s freedom struggle. Neta Ji’s entire life is punctuated with great deeds and exceptional freedom endeavours. Born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa, Neta Ji Subhas Chandra Bose was the ninth child of a famous lawyer Janaki Nath Bose and Prabhavati Devi. He was a brilliant student right from his childhood. He was a topper in the Matriculation examination from Calcutta province and graduated with First class. Later on, he went to England in 1919 and appeared for prestigious Indian Civil Service Examination and achieved fourth place on merit. But Jalianwalla massacre affected him deeply and he left his Civil services apprenticeship midway. 
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is popularly known as a ‘Man of Steel’ and ‘Iron Man of India’ because of his great deeds and contributions to the Indian freedom struggle and independent India. Truly a man of substance, Sardar patel was born on October 31, 1875 at Nadiad, Gujarat. His father, Jhaverbhai was a farmer and mother Laad Bai was a housewife. The early education of Sardar Vallabhai took place in Karamsad and he completed his high school in 1896. A brilliant student throughout his academic life, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel went on to become a lawyer and started legal practice in Godhra, Gujarat. He went to England for further studies and came back to India in 1913. Vallabhbhai Patel soon established his name as a top notch lawyer but destiny had some other things planned for him. 
Bipin Chandra Pal was one of the members of famous troika of Lal-Bal-Pal. Considered as an extremist and aggressive freedom fighter, he was at the forefront of several revolutionary movements like burning western clothes, boycotting British goods and strikes and lockouts in the British owned businesses. He firmly believed that, this was the only way to throw out the British rulers from the country. Bipin Chandra Pal was a multi-talented personality. He was not only a freedom fighter but also a writer, orator, librarian, journalist and teacher. He represented the extreme wing of the Indian National Congress. 
The original name of Tantya Tope was Ram Chandra Pandurang Tope. One of the great Indian freedom fighters, the name of Tantya Tope literally made English generals tremble with fear. He had such aura, such fearsome reputation. Born in a village named Yeola in Maharashtra, Tantya Tope was the only son of Padurang Rao Tope and Rukhmabai. His father was a key noble at the court of Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao 2nd. Later on when his family shifted from Peshwa to Bithur, Tantya Tope developed healthy and friendly relationship with Peshwa's adopted sons, Nana Sahib and Maharaja Madhav Singhji. 
