Tribal Movements

• Overview: Tribal communities resisted British rules that affected their traditional rights and livelihoods.
• Birsa Munda: Leader of the Munda tribe, Birsa led the Munda Rebellion against British rule, aiming to establish the Munda Raj and remove the British government and missionaries.
• Alluri Sitarama Raju: He led the Rampa Rebellion of 1922-24 against the British in response to the implementation of the Madras Forest Act, which restricted the tribal people’s access to forests.

Women in the Freedom Struggle

• Overview: Women participated actively in the freedom struggle, breaking traditional norms and contributing significantly to the movement.
• Sucheta Kriplani: She was a freedom fighter who worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi during the Partition riots. She was India’s first woman Chief Minister, serving as the head of the Uttar Pradesh government.
• Kasturba Gandhi: Kasturba was a political activist involved in the Indian Independence Movement and the wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. She was imprisoned in British jails multiple times along with her husband.
• Aruna Asaf Ali: Known for hoisting the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank maidan in Bombay during the Quit India Movement, Ali was a strong supporter of civil rights and an advocate for women’s empowerment.

Lower Caste Movements

• Overview: Lower caste movements aimed to eradicate caste-based discrimination and ensure social justice and equality.
• B.R. Ambedkar: A jurist, economist, and social reformer, Ambedkar campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables and supported the rights of women and labourers. He played a pivotal role in drafting the Constitution of India.
• Periyar E.V. Ramasamy: Founding the Self-Respect Movement and Dravidar Kazhagam, Periyar worked against caste-based discrimination and Brahminical supremacy. He was also a strong advocate for women’s rights.

Other Minority Contributions

• Overview: Various minority groups also participated actively in the freedom struggle.
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: An Indian scholar and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, Azad was the first Minister of Education in India. He supported education for the underprivileged and played a significant role in developing the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
• Sikh Community: The community played a vital role, with figures like Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh becoming symbols of resistance against British rule.