Sarala Debi

One of the gurus (inspirers) of anti Britsh armed movement in India (Bangla). She played a great role in forming the network of Anushilan Samitis in all major towns in united Bangla between 1900-1910. She worked hand in hand with the other inspirers of the movement: Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sri Aurobindo Ghose, Sister Nibedita, Peter Kropotkin and Kakuzo Okakura.

Preeti Lata Waddadar (1911-32)

Preetilata was born on 5 May 1911 in the Dholaghat village of Chittagong. Her father's name was Jagabandhu Wadddadar, the head clerk of Chittagong Municipality. Her mum Protibha Waddadar was a patron of the local revolutionaries and a supporter of Swadeshi movement. In 1927 Preetilata obtained her SSC in first division from Dr Khastogir Girls' College. Then she moved to Dhaka for her HSC studies and enrolled in Eden College. As a student of Eden Girls’ College, Preetilata joined the Deepali Sangha, a Dhaka based women’s revolutionary organization.In 1929 Preetilata topped among the female students in HSC exam. Due to her outstanding result Preetilata  was awarded Tk 20.00 monthly scholarship from the board of education. The financial support enabled Preetilata to pursue her higher studies in Kolkata, the then center of culture and education of united Bangla. In Kolkata, Preetilata succeeded in enrolling in the prestigious Bethune College. As a member of the Revolutionary party Preetilata immediately formed a student front of the revolutionary party with a couple of her classmates. Her group raised money to support the Chittagong based revolutionaries and organized a readers' forum to promote patriotic spirit among the college students. On the direction of the party high command PL bought explosive implements from underground factories in Kolkata and took the explosives to Chittagong. Her mates at Bethune College, Kalpana Datta, Sarojini Pal, Kumudini Rakkhit, Renuka Ray, and Kamala Mukherjee helped Preetilata in her mission. In 1930 Preetilata, instead of seating for BA (hons), sat for BA (pass) exam and passed BA with distinction. On her return to Chittagong Preetilata started her teaching career and joined as the principal of a newly established English medium school, Aparna Charan Girls High School.Preetilata was a member of Jugantar-a secret revolutionary organization.

The death of comrade Ardhendu Dastidar in the Jalalabad hill war on 22 April 1930 spurred her commitment to revolutionary causes. On 13 June 1932 Preetilata secretly met Master Da Surya Sen, the legendary Bangalee revolutionary, at the residence of Sabitri Debi of Dholaghat. In the meeting Preetilata demanded that girls should be given equal opportunity in armed revolutionary activities. She argued that many young people have already given their lives for the freedom of the motherland, now it was the time for the girls to embrace the same fate of honor.

The task for attacking the European Club in Chittagong was initially assigned to rebel Shaileshwar Chakraborty which he failed to carry out twice for various reasons. In September 1932 Surya Sen came to South Kattali village to discuss the strategies and tactics for attacking the European Club. On the instruction from the party high command Preetilata and Kalpana Datta, wearing men's clothes in order to escape the British spies, headed for the secret meeting called by Surya Sen. Unfortunately Kalpana was arrested at Pahartali but Preetilata managed to skip the British spies. In the meeting Surya Sen told Preetilata that she was nominated to lead the attack on the European Club on 23 September 1932 and the other members of her team were: 1. Shanti Chakraborty (Kattali) 2. Kali Dey (Gosail Danga) 3. Sushil Dey (Dharala) 4. Prafulla Das ((Kattali) 5. Mahendra Chaudhury (Mohra).

At 2145 hrs on 23 September Surya Sen, with one of his body guards, came to Kattali to wish luck to his comrades for the success of the operation. At 2200 hrs Preetilata and her comrades, all wearing military uniforms, took farewell from the commander and marched off to carry out the operation. Soon they reached the European Club and took position in the bush near the club. They were carrying rifles robbed from the British armories, pistols and macerates in their waists and bombs in their haversacks. The British colonial officers were having a great time inside the club while Preetilata's team was preparing the attack. The gate of the club was protected by armed guards. On receiving Morse coded signal from the chef of the club kitchen Preetilata stormed the club firing shots on the armed guards at the gate and shouting "Charge". Her comrades joined her and kept shooting on the club. Preetilata lead the attack and threw a bomb through the main gate as soon as she reached the gate. The Britons were bewildered at the sudden armed attack and ran their heads off to save their asses. An Englishman tried to play James Bond and threw goblets to the rebels. Preetilata shot him and sent his soul to merry old England.

But soon the military reinforcement from the nearby cantonment came for rescue. Under-equipped to fight the military Preetilata signaled her comrades to retreat. They followed her command and retreated. A few minutes later Preetilata went back to make sure that all her comrades were ok. The group of partisans soon reached the rail line near the club covered by the team leader who followed them to ensure a safe retreat. They were heading for Pahartali bazaar because Kattali village is very close to the bazaar. As the rebels were heading to the bazaar a young Englishman, who hid in the gutter to escape the attack, shot at Preetilata. The bullet hit Preetilata on her chest and she dropped on the road bleeding profusely. But Preetilata was a born rebel and was determined not to surrender to the British colonists so the valiant rebel took out the cyanide pill and swallowed it.  

Suniti Chaudhuri

Comilla. Executed the notorious British District magistrate to free East Bangla from British colonial rules.

Santi Ghose Das (1916). 

Daughter of a Comilla College teacher, Santi was a member of the Jugantar party. Sentenced to life imprisonment for killing the district magistrate, CGB Stevens. Santi later joined the Congress on her release from the prison

Kalpana Datta Joshi (1913 b)

Born in  Chittagong, Kalpana became an active member of Chittagong Jugantar  party after the famous armory raid led by Master Da. Arrested along with Master Da and Tarekeshwar Dastidar from their hiding place after a fierce battle with a police/military squad, Kalpana was transported to the Andaman’s. After her release from the penal colony, Kalpana joined the communist party and married PC Joshi a prominent communist leader.

Bina Das Bhaumik (1911)

An arts graduate, Bina was connected with Calcutta Chhatri Sangha, a quasi revolutionary organization for young girls. Was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for her failed attempt on the life of the Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, in 1932 at the annual convocation meeting of Calcutta University. Following her release in 1938, Bina joined the Congress party and was elected the secretary of South Calcutta Congress Committee. Later Bina became a member of West Bangla Rajyo Sobha. Bina married Jyotish Chandra Bhaumik, her comrade at arms and a college teacher.

Uzzala Majumder

Leelabati Nag Roy (1909-70)

Daughter of a deputy magistrate, Leelabati was an active member of the Shree Sangha which she joined in 1925. Leela led the Deepali Sangha, a revolutionary organization of women with its headquarters in Dhaka and a branch in Calcutta where it was known as Chhatri Sangha. Leela later married Anil Baran Roy, the leader of Shree Sagha and eventually both of them joined the Forward Bloc. 

Manorama Basu Masima

Educationist, social worker

Ila Mitra

Leader of  Tebhaga movement. For her participation in the cultivator's movement, she was brutally tortured by the Pakistani government and was forced to leave Bangladesh. Click here for Ila  Mitra page

Rashmoni Hajong

A top rebel leader of Tonk Movement against the local feudal lords and their master the forces of British imperialism. Tonk was a demand of the portion of the harvest the on the cultivators by the feudal lords irrespective of their produce for the seasson. The poor cultivators could hardly afford the amount of crops demanded by the lords. So to claim their due the lords used to send their men guarded by British police to get their cut of the produce. The demand being unjustified the Hajongs often resisted them resulting in big fights with the police. Comrade Monisingha was the key organiser of the Tonk movement. The Hajong society is a matriarchal society and  as such Hajong women are traditionally more active and industrious than Hajong men. So the Hajong movement against the British imperialism is unique in the history of Bangla in that it was a movemnt comprised and led by women.

On 31 January 1946, the forces of Eastern Rifles raided the Kolagora village to bash and capture the Hajong youth. But failing to find any as they all left fearing the olice raid, the police kidnapped a Hajong young girl, housewife Kumudini, 18 of Baheratoli village. As they were forcibly dragging the girl, her screams reached the leader of the Hajong Women Force, Rashmoni Hajong. She was in a meeting with her fellow activists, Distamoni and  Shanko Moni. Both of them advised Rashmoni Hajong not to take a hasty action against the British police force. They wanted to develop some strategy  to fight the police and free Kumudini. But the Rashmoni did not want to waste time devising strategies. She sprang like a tiger saying “ A woman’s dignity is at stake! What to ponder on it! We must act quick! You can think as much as you want. I’m going to save her.....”Rashmoni Hajong ran out with a few of her fellow activists to free Kumudini from the  grip of the imperial police force. Surendra, another Hajong rebel leader followed her with his men to free Rashmoni. A fierce but uneven battle ensued: between the imperial police armed with rifles and the local Hajongs with stick and knives. After a few hours of bloody battle the rebels managed to free Kumudini but at the expense of the lives of both Surendra and Rashmoni. Rashmoni Hajong was the first women hero of the Hajong movement.

Freedom Fighters

Monika Matin-Sirajgonj

Taramon Bibi

Kakon Bibi

Rawshan Ara Begum: A teenager who jumped on the Paki tank wearing a powerful mine exploding a whole Paki platoon.

Shirin Banu Mitil: Hails from Pabna, Shirin was the president of Pabna Students' Union in 1971. Shirin was involved in the Pabna Resistance Movement. Mujib's 7th March speech inspired her so much that she took part in erecting road barricades along the major roads of Pabna town to obstruct the raid of Paki army. Following Mujib's declaration of liberation war on 26th March, 1971, the male members of her party signed in for liberation war. Shirin could not stand the fact that being a girl was her main barrier to join the war. Her brother came ahead to rescue her from her psychological dilemma and advised her to join the war under the guise of a man as rebel Preeti Lata did during the anti British movement. Past all hesitation Shirin joined the war the next day: dressed as a man. On April 9, Shirin carried out her assignment at a Control room in Pabna. Concealing her identity, she did everything for the war hand in hand with her male comrade at arms. Late in the war she looked after a group of freedom fighters from Rajshahi. Then Shirin went to Kolkata and involved in organistional activities to support the liberation war.

Kazi Tamanna: Daughter of a progressive journalist, Kazi Idris, Tamanna was involved in all the political movements leading to the liberation war since the Mass Movement of 1969. With the help of her freedom fighter fiancé and later husband Golam Rabbani, Tamanna crossed the border via Chandina and went to Agartala, India. From Agartala Tamanna went to the Head Office of the Provincial government of Bangladesh at 8 Theatre Road, Kolkata. She then met Tajuddin Ahmed and sought a job to help the freedom fighters. Tajuddin Ahmed immediately appointed her as a doctor. Tamanna committed herself in helping the injured freedom fighters. Days after days, nights after nights Tamanna was beside the injured freedom fighters helping them to achieve their dreams of a free motherland. During her breaks Tamanna took part in the plays for Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro to boost the morales of the freedom fighters and the fellow countrymen captive in their homeland by the barbaric Paki troops.

Shahin Samad: “The artists and the cultural activists were at the fore front of Liberation Movement. Chhayanot had a great contribution in boosting and sustaining the spirit of liberation war. I was a student of Chhayanot and as such I participated in on stage, sang patriotic songs on the streets to inspire and mobilize the masses. I wanted to join the war, but the family did not allow me to. So one night I fled from home, dead at night, with my band and went straight to the Lenin Sarani in Kolkata. There I met Sanjida Khatun, Wahidul Haq, Aly Zaker, Mostafa Manwar, Dalia, Naila, Lubna and others. Together they formed the Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Sangstha' (The Revolutionary Organization for the Liberation of Bangladesh), Sanjida Khatun was the president of this organization, Mahmudur Rahman Benu the general secretary. The artists of Kolkata came out to help us. They formed a forum to support the causes of Bangladesh' The Association of artists, writers and intellectuals in for a free Bangladesh, The president of the assoc was Tara Shankar Bando, and GS were Manindra Ray, Nirendro Nath Chakraborty and Dipendro Nath Bando. we used to rehearse at Dipen Da's residence."

Asha Lata Baidya
Safia Khatun
Rowshan Akter Lili
Jahanara Begum Alo
Kanchan Mala
Saleha Begum
Sarifa Khatun
Johra Khatun
Ambia Khatun
Saleha Begum
Pushpa Rani Halder
Momela Begum
Rokeya Begum Hena
Shirin Sahnewaz
Rokeya Khatun: Baghar Para Jessore
Fatema: Khatun Baghar Para Jessore
Sakhina Begum
Tahera Begum
Mirashi Begum
Jahan Ara Begum
Marjina Bawa
Mahmuda Khanam
Meherun Nesa Mira
Halima Khatun
Urmila Ray

Begum Sufia Kamal: Poet, Feminist, Organizer 

Jahan Ara Imam

Mother of a famous freedom fighter, Rumi. A great supporter and contributor to the liberation of Bangladesh, Ms Imam lost both her son and husband for the great cause. In the hey days of the Razakars promoted by post 1975 governments, this formidable mother organized the Nirmul Committee, the committee for elimination of the killers and collaborators of 1971. 

Here are brief events that turned Jahanara Imam from being the mother of martyr Rumi to Shahid Janani of the entire nation. 

1978: 11th July War Criminal Golam Azam entered Bangladesh (after general Zia set up the ground by amending the constitution) with a Pakistani passport with visa given on humanitarian grounds to see his ailing mother. But he stayed back with the blessings of general Zia and resumed organising the hitherto banned Islamic fundamentalist: Jamaat-e-Islam.

1991: 29th December Golam Azam, still a Pakistani citizen, elected the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islam. Despite the nationwide protest against Golam’s officially chairing the political party Khaleda Zia (general Zia’s widow) government ignored the constitutional violation on the part of the Jamaatis.

1992: 1st January Formation of Ekattorer Ghatak Dala Nirmul committee (committee for the elimination of the war criminals and collaborators of 71) under the leadership of Jahanara Imam with cooperation other leaders of the society. A committee of 101 persons who were the signatory of declaration condemning Jamat action as illegal and freshly raising demand for trying war criminals. The committee next announced that a public trial would be held to try the war criminals of the liberation war on 26th March, the 21st anniversary of our independence.

1992: 2nd February National coordination Committee was formed (Ekattorer Ghatak Dala Nirmul committee and Muktiyuddher Chetana Bastabayan committee joined hands together to launch countrywide movement for trial of war criminals)

1992: 24th March Golam Azam was arrested and sent to Dhaka central jail by the Khaleda Zia government. He was given VIP treatment inside the jail. Simultaneously the ministry of internal affairs warned Mrs. Jahanara Begum and her leading colleagues of severe consequences of the movement. The authority further pointed out that formation of Public tribunal and proposed trial of Golam Azam and his parterns in crime would violate the constitution of the country. Such action would be treated by the government as tantamount to taking laws in their own hands. For this reason the agitators would be liable to be prosecuted. Later on the BNP government of Khaleda Zia filed a case of sedition against martyr mother Jahanara Imam and her 24 distinguished colleagues who led the movement. They were all produced before DM magistrate where they were granted bails.

1992: 26th March The verdict of public trial was proclaimed by Shahid Janani Jahanara Imam, Chairperson of the tribunal, on behalf of all the judges of the public court, in Shahid Surwardy Uddan in a massive peoples’ rally where millions participated.

1993: 4th April Left Dhaka for USA for cancer treatment.

1994: 26th June Passed away with still case of sedition against her.

1994: 7th July Burial at Dhaka Intellectual cemetery.

Jahanara Imam’s last message to the nation written from her deathbed before she merged with eternity.

My Appeal and Directives to the people of Bangladesh

(From Shahid Janani Jahanara Imam)

My fellow warriors,

You have been fighting the evil forces of Golam Azam and his war criminals of 1971, along with the detractors of a free Bangladesh for the last three years. As a nation of Bangalees, your unity and courage has been unparallel. I was with you at the start of our struggle. Our resolve was to remain in battle until we had achieved our objective. Stricken with the fatal disease of cancer, I am now facing my final days. I have kept my resolve. I did not leave the battle. But I cannot stop the inevitable march of death. Therefore, I once again remind you of our resolve to fight until our goal is attained. You must fulfill your commitment. You must stand united and fight to the very end. Even though I will not be among you. I will know that you--- my millions of Bangalee children---- will live in a free Golden Bengal with your sons and daughters.                        

We still have a long and arduous road ahead. People from all walks of life has joined this battle. People from different political and cultural groups, freedom fighters, women, and students, and youths have all committed themselves to the battle. And I know that there is no one more committed than the people. People are power. So I commit the responsibility of the fight to bring Golam Azam and the war criminals of 1971 to justice and to continue to champion the Spirit of the Liberation War to you--- the people of Bangladesh. For certain, victory will be ours.

Jahanara Imam     

Matia Chowdhury

Legendry students' leader of the mass movement of 1969. For her formidable leadership of the students in the mass movement she was accorded the title, " Daughter of fire". A politician committed to the welfare of the poor masses, Matia hails from Mymensingh. 

Taslima Nasreen: Famous Bangalee feminist. By profession a doctor, Taslima hails from Mymensingh.  A leading poet, novelist and columnist, Taslima voices the sufferings of Bangladeshi women in a predominantly patriarchal society. Due to the threat of persecution by the Islamic fundamentalist groups combined with the rejection of Bangladeshi male chauvinists, Taslima is presently living in exile.Click here for Taslima's site.

Begum Rokeya (1880-1932)

Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was born into a Bengali Muslim upper-class family in the small village of Pairaband in the district of Rangpur, north of present day Bangladesh, then a part of the colonial British province of Bengal Presidency. Her date of birth is not known.  However, a nephew of hers posits Dec. 9, 1880.

Her mother was Rahatunnessa Sabera Chowdhurani. Not much is known of her except that she strictly followed purdah as Rokeya mentioned in dedicating to her The Secluded Ones, some humorous essays that expose some ridiculous consequences of the practice of Purdah. Her father was Zahiruddin Mohammad Abu Ali Saber, a well-educated, influential landowner whose massive estate was a stronghold for the traditional way of life. Rokeya had two brothers (Abul Asad Ibrahim Saber and Khalilur Rahman Abu Jaigam Saber) and two sisters (Karimunessa and Humaira). Being boys, her brothers were first educated at home (as was the tradition) then sent to St. Xavier's, one of Calcutta's most prestigious colleges.

Rokeya and her sisters only received traditional education at home. As it was the tradition in high-class Muslim families, girls learned to read Arabic (so as to be able to read the Koran) and Urdu (in order to read the popular books on "feminine" conduct). They were kept from learning Bengali and English precisely because they were spoken by non-Muslims as well. This was one way of keeping these women from being "contaminated" by the radical ideas from outside their religio-economic group. Going against the grain, Rokeya's oldest brother, who was exposed to Western education, was in favor of educating women. He secretly taught Rokeya English and Bengali at home.

In 1896, Ibrahim was instrumental in the family marrying off Rokeya at age 16 to a widower in his late 30's, Syed Sakhawat Hossain, who was then a district magistrate in the Bihar region of Bengal Presidency. Ibrahim was impressed with Syed's open-mindedness. Syed was educated both locally and in London. Rokeya and her husband settled in Bhagalpur, Bihar. None of her children lived. Syed, who was convinced that the education of women was the best way to cure the ills of his society, encouraged his all-too-willing wife to  write, and set aside 10,000 rupees to start a school for Muslim women. In 1909, 11 years after they had been married, Syed died and Rokeya immediately started the school in Bhagalpur in his memory.

In 1910, a feud over family property with her step-daughter's husband caused her to close down the school in Bhagalpur, abandon her house, and move to Calcutta where she re-opened the Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School on March 16, 1911. The number of students went from 8 in 1911 to 84 in 1915. In 1917, the school was inspected by Lady Chelmsford, wife of the Governor General and Vicerory of India. After that, prominent people supported the school. By 1930, the school had evolved into a high school (10 grades) where Bengali and English were regular courses. In Calcutta, she became very involved in civil affairs. In 1916, she founded the Anjuman-e-Khawatin-e-Islam, Bangla (Bengali Muslim Women's Association). In 1926, Rokeya presided over the Bengal Women's Education Conference held in Calcutta. She was active in debates and conferences concerning the advancement of women until her death in December 9, 1932, shortly after presiding over a session during the Indian Women's Conference in Aligarh. Her death was grieved by many male and female Hindu and Muslim activists, including educators as well as liberal leaders of her country. In December of 1932, Rokeya was working on an essay entitled Narir Adhikar (The Rights of Women) which remained unfinished.

Her legacy is that of a Muslim woman who was born and raised in purdah. Yet, she was able to rise beyond the limitations that her society placed upon her. With the help of her "liberal" brother and husband, she was not only able to write (in Bengali and English) but took significant steps to educate the women in her country.

Toru Datta (1856-77)

Works: two volumes of verse, an incomplete novel (Bianca) in English, one novel in French, critical essays on Henry Derozio and Leonte de Lisle in Bengal Magazine,   pieces in a dozen European and Indian journals, all before she was twenty one.

Toru’s first volume was A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (1876), a 200 page anthology of French verse in English translation (and a few pieces of Heinrich Heine’s German poetry translated into English from their French versions), done in collaboration with her sister Aru Dutt who died even younger. Toru’s second and posthumous volume of poems, Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan (1882) was published in 1882 by the respected British publisher Kegan Paul.

In her poetry she focused on Indian women, the lower caste, children and other marginal creatures. 

Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949)

Works: The Bird of Time (1912)

Influence: Urdu gazal, Radha Krishna lore, Swinburne, lyric forms of fin-de-siecle British poets.

The Pardah Nashin

Her life is a revolving dream
Of languid and sequestered ease;
Her girdles and her fillets gleam
Like changing fires on sunset seas;
Her raiment is like morning mist,
Shot opal, gold and amethyst.

From thieving light of eyes impure.
From coveting sun or wind’s caress,
Her days are guarded and secure
Behind her carven lattices,
Like jewels in a turbaned crest
Like secrets in a lover’s breast.

But through no hand unsanctioned dares
Unveil the mysteries of her grace,
Time lifts the curtain unawares
And sorrow looks into her face….
Who shall prevent the subtle years,
Or shield a woman’s eyes from tears.

Selina Banu

Daughter of Khan Bahadur Wasim Uddin, an influential and liberal Muslim from Pabna and the chairman of Pabna district board, Selina Banu hails from Pabna. She entered the student politics in the 40s. She was the General Secretary of the Awami Women’s League. She was one of the elected MLAs of the United Front.

Later in the Kagmari conference, in which Maulana Bhasani resigned from Muslim Awami Legume due to Suhrawardi's pro American stance, Selina Banu was one of the nine MLAs that resigned and sided with Bhasani in the protest. When National Awami Party was formed in 1957, Selina Banu joined NAP. She was a central committee member of all Pakistan NAP. She was also the president of the Pabna Zilla NAP.

She married her distant cousin Khandakar Mr. Shahjahan from Tangail. Mr. Shahjahan was also a member of the communist party. After partition Mr. Shahjahan quit CPB but continued to support the socialist and progressive causes. Later in her life Selina Banu moved to Comilla and worked as the principal of a local girls' school. During the liberation war Selina participated in the war with many of her family members. Her daughter Shirin Banu Mitil was a valiant freedom fighter who fought in man's disguise in the front rows of the war.

She was unpretentious, non-communal, committed to the welfare of the community especially the women and children in poverty and misery.

Selina Parvin: Poet, Journalist

Martyr intellectual. Killed by the collaborators of Pakistani army on the eve of our independence.

Dr Nilima Ibrahim

organiser and contributor to our liberation, writer

Suchitra Mitra. Singer, Phonetician.

Mahashweta Debi: novelist

Gayatri Chakraborty Spivak

literary critic, academic: Marxism, deconstruction, post structuralism, feminism,  post- colonial literature. 

Ketaki Kushari Dyson

literary critic, poet, most celebrated translator of Tagore's poems.