← Odisha History
Freedom Fighters of Odisha
Odisha produced many dedicated freedom fighters who participated in the Indian independence movement at various levels — from the early nationalist period through the Quit India Movement of 1942.
Early Nationalist Leaders
| Name | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Madhusudan Das (1848–1934) | Founder of Utkal Sammilani; advocated Odia unification in legislative councils |
| Gopabandhu Das (1877–1928) | Founded The Samaja newspaper; led Non-Cooperation in Odisha; social reformer |
| Nilakantha Das (1884–1967) | Satyagrahi; member of Central Legislative Assembly; Odisha’s representative at Round Table Conferences |
| Godabarish Mishra (1886–1956) | Satyabadi group; freedom fighter and educator |
| Krupasindhu Mishra (1887–1926) | Historian and nationalist; documented Odisha’s freedom struggle |
Gandhian Era Leaders
| Name | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Harekrushna Mahatab (1899–1987) | Premier of Odisha (1946–50, 1956–61); led Quit India Movement in Odisha; instrumental in merger of princely states |
| Nabakrushna Choudhury (1901–1984) | Gandhian socialist; Premier of Odisha (1950–56); led peasant movements |
| Malati Choudhury (1904–1998) | Prominent woman freedom fighter; social worker; wife of Nabakrushna Choudhury |
| Laxman Nayak (1899–1943) | Tribal leader of Koraput; led Quit India Movement in Malkangiri; executed by British |
| Rama Devi (1899–1985) | Prominent woman Gandhian; participated in salt satyagraha and Quit India |
| Gopabandhu Choudhury (1895–1958) | Gandhian; led civil disobedience in Odisha |
Revolutionaries and Militant Nationalists
- Baji Rout (1926–1938): The youngest martyr of the freedom struggle. At age 12, this ferry boy of Nilakanthapur (Dhenkanal) was shot dead by British soldiers for refusing to ferry them across the Brahmani river.
- Jayee Rajguru (1739–1806): The royal preceptor of Khurda who led the first armed uprising against the British in 1804. He was captured and executed by hanging, making him one of the earliest martyrs from Odisha.
The Koraput and Sambalpur Uprisings
During the Quit India Movement (1942):
- In Koraput, led by Laxman Nayak and other tribal leaders, thousands of tribals marched on government offices, uprooted telegraph lines, and attacked police stations. The British responded with brutal repression, aerial firing, and mass arrests. Laxman Nayak was hanged in 1943.
- In Sambalpur, students and peasants organized strikes and demonstrations. Many, like Veer Surendra Sai (an earlier rebel, 1809–1884), became symbols of resistance.
The Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements
- The Salt Satyagraha (1930) saw marches to the coast at Inchudi (Balasore) and Kujang (Cuttack), where Odia satyagrahis manufactured contraband salt.
- Women participated in large numbers, with Rama Devi, Sarala Devi, and Kuntala Kumari Sabat leading marches and picketing of foreign cloth shops.
Legacy
The freedom fighters of Odisha represented a broad cross-section of society — lawyers, peasants, tribals, students, and women. Their sacrifices are commemorated through memorials, place names, and annual celebrations. The Odisha State Freedom Fighters’ Honour Scheme continues to recognize their contributions.