Rani Gaidinliu is one of the most heroic and inspiring, yet lesser-known, freedom fighters of India. She was a young Naga tribal leader who fearlessly fought against British rule in the remote hills of Manipur and Nagaland at the age of just 13.
Born: 26 January 1915, Manipur.
Title 'Rani': Given by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Imprisoned: At age 16 (1932) for life — released 1947.
Award: Padma Bhushan (1982).
Movement: Led the Heraka movement against British rule.
Born on 26 January 1915 in Manipur, Gaidinliu joined a revolutionary Naga movement called the Heraka movement at age 13. She believed her people should be free from both British colonialism and forced religious conversion.
At the age of 16, she led an armed guerrilla uprising against the British in the Naga Hills. The British were so frightened of her leadership that they deployed a large military force specifically to catch her.
She was finally captured in 1932 at age 16 and sentenced to life imprisonment — making her one of the youngest political prisoners of the freedom struggle.
When Jawaharlal Nehru visited her in jail, he was deeply moved by her courage. He gave her the title 'Rani' (Queen) of the Nagas.
She was finally released in 1947 after India's independence. She lived a long life advocating for Naga tribal rights. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1982 by the Indian Government.
Rani Gaidinliu was a young Naga tribal freedom fighter from Manipur who led an armed uprising against British rule at age 16 and was imprisoned for life, being released only after India's independence.
Jawaharlal Nehru gave her the title 'Rani' (Queen) when he visited her in jail, recognizing her immense courage.
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