Chandraprabha Saikiani

From being a writer, to a teacher, to a social reformer and women‟s

rights activist, the contributions of Chandraprabha Saikiani are immense.

She was the founder of Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti in 1926. She
stood up for women‟s and girls‟ education since a very young age.

During the Assam session of the Asom/Axom (Assam) Chhatra

(Students) Sanmilan in 1918, she spoke about the ill effects of opium
consumption and demanded for its ban. She was always against caste
discrimination and attacked it through the teachings of Srimanta
Sankardev. She claimed the entry of women in religious places and
rituals. She also became a part of the National Non-Cooperation
Movement and took part in the Indian freedom struggle.

In 1925 at the Nagaon session of Assam Sahitya Sabha, she gave a fiery
speech on gender equality and justice and protested against keeping
women in a barricade from men. Her speech enabled women‟s
mobilisation. By establishing the Assam Pradeshik Mahila Samiti in 1926,
she voiced out her rage against patriarchal oppression like child
marriage and supported women‟s education and self employment. In her
personal life, she revolted against her marriage to an old man at a young
age and later got engaged to Dandinath Kalita, a writer.

Kanaklata Baruah

Kanaklata Baruah was one of the Assamese leaders in the Indian

Independence Movement. She was a part of Quit India Movement and
fought fearlessly against the British. As a part of the Mrityu Bahini (Death
Squad) she led the protest procession in Gohpur police station with
other leaders to hoist Indian flag on the top of police station as a mark
of freedom struggle against the British rule. She led the women‟s
procession and walked ahead towards the police station with the Indian
flag. While she was proceeding towards the police station, she was shot
by the police.

Rani Gaidinliu

“We are free people, the white men should not rule over us,” said a 13-
year-old Rani Gaidinliu of the Rongmei Naga tribe in 1927, while issuing
a clarion call to all ethnic Naga tribes from remote hills of the
northeastern region.The same year, she joined the Heraka religious
reform movement begun by her cousin Haipou Jadonang, which sought
to standardise the traditional Naga belief systems against the growing
influence of Christianity and Vaishnavism. Under her guidance, the
movement later turned into a political movement seeking to kick the
British out from the region. She urged the people not to pay taxes, not
work for the British and even went underground to lead many attacks on
the colonial administration.

She was arrested in 1932 at the age of 16, and sentenced to life
imprisonment. Jawaharlal Nehru met her at Shillong Jail in 1937, and
gave her the title of Rani. Released in 1947 after India‟s independence,
she continued to work for the upliftment of her people.
BHOGESWARI PHUKANANI

Phukanani was born in the year 1885 in Barhampur, in Nagaon district of

Assam. In the 20th century, Nagaon was an important centre of
nationalist activities. In places like Phulaguri and Barhampur, anti-
colonial sentiments were strongly articulated through protests and
demonstrations. Phukanani, a simple homemaker, a wife and a mother of
eight, had a strong conviction for the cause of nationalism. She inspired
her children to join the movement for India‟s independence. She was
nearing sixty years of age when the Indian National Congress decided to
give the call for the Quit India movement, in 1942. This movement was
distinct from the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements
that took place earlier in the 20th century.

In these movements, non-violence was a cornerstone of the actions of

the participants. The Quit India Movement, however, was marked by
violent eruptions of public protests, often provoked by the British
authorities. Many prominent, national-level leaders were promptly jailed
by the Government. This left the common people in charge of the
movement and gave it a spirit of spontaneity. Nevertheless, their actions
were carefully planned and measured.

The Indian National Congress office in Barhampur was seized by the

British during the movement. The Congress leaders, activists and
supporters were thoroughly tortured. Angered by this, the people of the
area fought back and reclaimed the office in September 1942. The
victorious public decided to celebrate their achievement with a
community feast. However, the colonial authorities were determined to
avenge their defeat. They sent a certain Captain „Finish‟ to crush the
jubilant activists and punish them. According to one narrative, it was
Bhogeswari Phukanani, who led the people against the British. She is said
to have hit the Captain with the flag-pole when he disrespected the
National Flag by snatching it from the hands of Ratanmala, another
leader at the forefront with Phukanani. A different account of
Phukanani‟s story tells us that she attacked the Captain with the pole of
the Flag when he targeted her son. Either way, unable to bear the
humiliation of being hit by Phukanani, the Captain shot her. She
eventually succumbed to the bullet injury but left behind a legacy of
bravery and patriotism.

Today, Phukanani is an inspiration for many in Assam. Neither her age

nor her domestic responsibilities could stop her from fighting against the
oppressors of her fellow people. Bhogeswari Phukanani and many others
like her lost their lives while fighting against the British in India and
establishing an independent country. Their sacrifices are a reminder for
us to walk on their paths and contribute towards strengthening the
future of the nation.