Why this matters now
Women’s participation is a recurring GS-1 theme — knowing the key figures and their contributions enriches answers on the national movement and on gender.
Early figures
Women’s resistance began early: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Begum Hazrat Mahal in the Revolt of 1857; Rani Gaidinliu (Naga); and the Swadeshi movement drew women into boycott and spinning. Reformers’ wives and pioneers also pushed women’s education and rights.
The Gandhian era
Gandhi brought women into the mass movements on a large scale — picketing liquor/foreign-cloth shops, the salt satyagraha (Sarojini Naidu led the Dharasana raid), and prison. Leaders include Sarojini Naidu (the “Nightingale of India”, first woman Congress president), Kasturba Gandhi, Kamala Nehru, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay.
Radical and later contributions
Women joined the revolutionary movement (Pritilata Waddedar, Kalpana Datta, Bina Das) and the INA (the Rani of Jhansi Regiment under Captain Lakshmi Sahgal). In the Quit India Movement, Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the flag at Gowalia Tank and Usha Mehta ran the underground Congress Radio.
UPSC angle
Know women across phases: 1857 (Lakshmibai, Hazrat Mahal), Gandhian (Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba), revolutionary (Pritilata, Bina Das), INA (Lakshmi Sahgal/Rani of Jhansi Regiment), Quit India (Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta).
Frequently asked questions
Which women led in the Revolt of 1857?
Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh, among others.
Who was Sarojini Naidu?
The “Nightingale of India”, a poet and the first Indian woman president of the Congress, who led the Dharasana salt raid.
Who hoisted the flag during Quit India?
Aruna Asaf Ali, who hoisted the Congress flag at Gowalia Tank in Bombay in 1942.
Who led the women’s regiment of the INA?
Captain Lakshmi Sahgal led the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.