During India’s struggle for independence, Assamese women played a significant role by participating in protests, movements, and revolutionary activities. Some even laid down their lives for the cause of the nation. Here is a list of notable women freedom martyrs from Assam:
1. Kanaklata Barua
Known as Birbala Kanaklata, she was martyred at the young age of 17 while leading a procession to hoist the Indian flag at the Gohpur police station on 20 September 1942, during the Quit India Movement.
2. Pushpalata Das
Although not martyred, she was a leading woman activist from Assam, who took part in several movements, courted arrest, and inspired others. Her contribution is often remembered along with other brave martyrs.
3. Tileswari Barua
A teenage schoolgirl who participated in the Quit India Movement and was shot by British police during a protest in Dhekiajuli on 20 September 1942, the same day as Kanaklata.
4. Bhogeswari Phukanani (from adjacent region in Assam area, now in Assam context)
A fearless female revolutionary, she was shot dead by British officers while resisting colonial forces in 1942. She remains a powerful symbol of feminine resistance.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Khahuli Devi, Dhekiajuli
She was shot dead in Dehekiajuli police firing on September 20, 1942. She was pregnant at that time.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
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