In the history of the nation’s freedom movement, Assam was significant. The anti-British upsurge initially manifested itself in this eastern region of India in the first half of the 19th century. Following the treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, Assam came under British rule. Since that time, there was a yearning among the Assamese citizens to be free from foreign rule. The first such attempt against the British authority was undertaken by Gomdhar Konwar who battled the British to reclaim the motherland’s lost freedom along with many other Assamese leaders. Gomdhar Konwar was a prince of the Ahom royal family who tried to organise the Ahoms and re-establish Ahom authority in Assam. In this process, Gomdhar along with his supporters rebelled against the British authority however they failed as Gomdhar along with his other associates were caught by the police and were punished. Apart from the male leaders of the national freedom struggle, the participation of women in these national activities was quite crucial. The main reason behind this was the Indian National congress and Gandhi’s idea to inspire the women of the nation to participate in the national struggle. However, at the initial stages of the freedom movement, the participation of Indian women was quite limited. Such as during the non-cooperation movement their participation was very low as compared to the male participation. However with the formation of the Assam Provincial Congress Committee (APCC) in 1921 and after Gandhi’s visit a lot of young men and women were drawn to the national freedom struggle, It is said that Gandhi’s good impression of the women of Assam greatly increased the laters self-confidence to fight against the imperial power. It was Gandhi’s quit India movement which inspired the Indian masses and paved the way for independence. If we focus on the specificities of the Quit India movement, it was as momentous for the people of Assam as it was for the people from other parts of the country. Gandhi in his last struggle to gain freedom for India adopted the slogan “do or die ” which inspired many Indians to join the movement. Women of Assam joined this movement in large numbers. Puzari remarks that in the Quit India movement there were two types of programs. One was constructive while the other one was mostly destructive as in they resorted to underground activities including the disruption of communication by cutting telephone lines, destroying railway lines, and burning government buildings.
However, those who chose the destructive way of protesting against the British authority had to face miseries in their lives if they were caught up. In their unique ways, Assamese women embraced Gandhi’s idea of “do or die” and took part in a variety of Quit India movement events. As a result, the British insignia of the police stations and the courthouses in Assam’s Darrang district was replaced with the national flag. It is said that the plan to hoist the national flag was drawn under the leadership of Pushpalata Das, a young women freedom fighter. However, as the procession consisting of men and women from nearby villages proceeded for flag hoisting the police opened fire on them. Women leaders named Kanaklata Barua, Khahuli Devi, and Kambli Devi died of bullet injuries on the spot and many others were badly injured. At places like ‘Behali police station’ a woman named Tileswari Mahanta successfully hoisted the national flag. Among the freedom fighters of Assam, the story of Kanaklata Barua who was just a teenager at that time is a highly remarkable one. The tragic martyrdom of this 17-year-old is a symbol of bravery in the state. Kanaklata Barua is regarded as the youngest freedom fighter from Assam. It is said that at first, she wanted to join the Azad Hind Fauj. However, being a minor she was not allowed to join. This rejection didn’t deter her from joining India’s freedom movement and eventually, Kanaklata joined the ‘Mrityu Bahini’(death squad). Although she was below 18 she was granted membership because of her zeal to serve the country. On 20th September 1942 Kanaklata along with the members of the Mrityu Bahini proceeded to hoist the National flag at the Darrang police station. Though she was warned by the Police not to proceed further she told him to do his duty and that she would carry on with her. However, their supreme sacrifice did not go in vain as the tricolour was eventually unfurled at the Police station. The titles that have been posthumously given to her such as Shaheed, birbala signifies her courage and bravery. In 1997 after Kanaklata’s name the Indian coast guard patrol vessel was titled. Moreover, many screenings and movies were made after this teenage patriot’s life, not only in Assamese but also in the Hindi language.
The Indian freedom struggle, the quit India movement was a success for the Indian freedom fighters. The independence of India was the culmination of years of courage, bravery, hard work, and millions of lives that were sacrificed to get freedom for the nation. The freedom fighters were those who selflessly sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country. They are considered the epitome of patriotic people and the pillars behind the freedom movement. Not only they inspired and motivated others to fight against injustice but also made a way to the rise of India as an independent nation. This article tried to show just a small picture of a large canvas. The broader prospects are yet to be discussed.
Jikmik Molia
Jikmik Molia is a final year student of History at Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University. Interested in exploring ancient Indian history and the history and culture of North East India, she aspires to pursue Archaeology at a near future.
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