Woman Freedom Martyrs of Assam
The Indian independence movement was a time of numerous revolts and rebellions of different ideologies. Nationalist sentiment rose to its peak and seeped into every nook and corner of the nation. It was a time when the nation witnessed innumerable stories of courage, determination and sacrifice.
Assam was not left behind in this wide playing revolt. Several individuals — men and women alike — dived into the movement with burning determination.
The womenfolk were nowhere even a step behind the men in fighting for the country’s independence. They participated fearlessly and wholeheartedly. While many embraced martyrdom for the love of the nation, other freedom activists were injured in lathi attacks and police firing. In fighting for the country’s liberation, they had to bear the brunt of the British fury but that did not dampen their spirit.
Some of these braveheart women, who fought for independence and eventually sacrificed their life for the cause, are listed below:
Kanaklata Barua, Gohpur
An active organiser and member of Mrityu Bahini, Kanaklata was shot dead by the British police on September 20, 1942 while she was leading a procession holding the national flag during the Quit India Movement. She was just 18.
Mungri alias Malati Mem, Lalmati, Darrang
She was one of the leading members of the anti-opium campaign in tea gardens. In 1921, she was killed by government supporters at Lalmati in Darrang district for supporting Congress volunteers in prohibition campaign.
Dariki Dasi Baruah, Golaghat
She was actively involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement and was one of the leading members of the anti-opium campaign. She was arrested on February 1, 1932, and jailed for six months for anti-opium picketing. She was pregnant at the time of imprisonment. She refused to take conditional release from jail. Eventually, she fell sick and died in the jail on April 26, 1932.
Bhogeswari Phukanani, Nagaon
She was an active organiser of the freedom movement in Nagaon. On September 18, 1942, she was shot by the British while matching forward with the national flag at Barhampur. She died three days later.
Tileswari Barua, Dhekiajuli
She was an active participant in the Quit India Movement from Dhekiajuli. On September 20, 1920, she was shot dead in police firing while trying to hoist the national flag at Dhekiajuli. Kanaklata Barua also died the same day.
Rebati Lahon, Teok
She was an active participant and organiser of the Quit India Movement. She was jailed in 1942. During imprisonment, she suffered from pneumonia due to the poor living condition in jail. She died soon after coming out of imprisonment.
Khahuli Devi, Dhekiajuli
She was shot dead in Dehekiajuli police firing on September 20, 1942. She was pregnant at that time.
Kumali Devi, Dhekiajuli
She was another braveheart who was shot dead at the Dhekiajuli police firing along with Tileswari Baruah and Khahuli Devi on September 20, 1942.
Padumi Gogoi, Dhekiajuli
She was an active participant in the Quit India Movement from Dhekiajuli. She was wounded in the lathi attack near Dhekiajuli police station on September 20, 1942. She was arrested and jailed for six months. She was released with worn out health and died soon.
Golapi Chutiani, Dhekiajuli
She was actively involved in the 1942 movement in Dhekiajuli. The police resorted to firing and lathicharge to block the revolters. She was wounded severely in the lathi attack and later succumbed to her injuries.
Lila Neogoni, Lakhimpur
She was actively involved in the 1942 revolt. She was severely beaten by the police at Lakhimpur in 1942 while participating in a procession against them. She succumbed to her injuries after two months.
Thunuki Das, Dhekiajuli
She was an active participant in the 1942 revolt at Dhekiajuli. She was injured in the lathicharge that took place near Dhekiajuli police station on September 20, 1942, and died a few days later.
Jaluki Kachariani, Dhekiajuli
She was another active participant of 1942 revolt. She got bullet injury in the Dhekiajuli police firing on September 20, 1942, and died soon after.
Kon Chutiani, Dhekiajuli
She was also injured in the lathi attack near Dhekiajuli police station on September 20, 1942, and succumbed to her injuries a few days later.
