Rekindling the Legacy: India's Women Freedom Fighters

Tara Rani Srivastava is one of the unsung heroines of India’s freedom struggle—her bravery, sacrifice, and determination embodying the spirit of resistance against colonial rule. Alongside her husband, Phulendu Babu, she led protests against the British during the Quit India Movement of 1942. When police opened fire, her husband was fatally wounded, but Tara Rani did not falter. With remarkable composure, she bandaged his injuries ...

In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Jhalkari Bai—her courage, sacrifice, and the lasting inspiration she offers to India’s struggle for justice and equality.Jhalkari Bai’s name may not be as familiar as Rani Laxmibai’s, but her courage and sacrifice made her one of the most extraordinary heroines of the 1857 uprising. Born into a Dalit family, Jhalkari grew up defying hardship with remarkable strength and resilien...

Aruna Asaf Ali is remembered as the “Grand Old Lady of the Independence Movement,” yet her story is often overlooked in mainstream accounts of India’s freedom struggle. A fearless leader, she defied both colonial authority and social convention—most famously hoisting the Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan during the Quit India Movement in 1942, inspiring thousands to resist British rule. But her courage was not confined to th...

In this episode of Rekindling the Legacy: India’s Women Freedom Fighters, hosts Professor Andrew Davies and Dr Juhi Gupta turn to one of the most iconic figures of India’s independence story: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi.Celebrated in folklore, poetry, and song, Lakshmibai has become a symbol of courage and resistance. But behind the legend lies the story of a young widow who refused to surrender her kingdom to colonial power. In 1857...

Begum Hazrat Mahal, often called the “Tigress of Awadh,” was one of the most remarkable women leaders of the 1857 revolt against British rule. Rising from humble beginnings, she became queen and later emerged as a fearless strategist and symbol of resistance. When her husband was exiled by the British, Hazrat Mahal refused to accept defeat. She rallied troops, inspired ordinary people, and fought fiercely to defend the kingdom of A...

In this opening episode, hosts Dr Juhi Gupta and Professor Andrew Davies set the stage for the upcoming journey into the lives of the women who helped shape India’s freedom struggle. Too often, history remembers only a handful of leaders, while countless women who led protests, mobilised communities, and even took up arms remain in the shadows.

This episode explores why their stories matter—not only to complete the historical record...