Basanti Devi
Basanti Devi was the first Indian activist during British rule, arrested for selling khadi while the non-cooperation movement was in full swing. She was the wife of a freedom fighter named Chitta ranjan Das. After her husband died, Basanti Devi became an active participant and a freedom fighter in protests against British rule. She took part in various social movements post-independence as well. For her bravery, she received the Padma Vibhushan award in1973. In this blog we are going to tell you the Basanti Devi, so read this full blog carefully to get the complete information.
Early Life of Basanti Devi: The Freedom Fighter
Basanti Devi was born in 1880 on 23rd March. Her father Baradanath Haldar was the diwan of a large zamindary in Assam during British colonial rule. She completed her studies at the Loreto House in Kolkata and met her future husband Chittaranjan Das. Basanti Devi and Chitaranjan Das got married when she was seventeen. Together, they gave birth to three kids.
Freedom Fight Activities of Basanti Devi
Basanti Devi participated in the Khilafat and Civil Disobedience movement with her husband. Later on, she also took part in the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress in1920. In the next year, she joined the Das sisters, Sunita Devi and Urmila Devi to establish a training center for women activists so that they can teach about the fights and freedom. This was famous as the ‘Nari Karma Mandir’.
However, during the non-cooperation movement, congress encouraged the activists for strikes and to ban foreign goods. To achieve the desired response from the British, the Congress made a small group of five people. They were employed to sell Khadi and hand woven clothes in Kol kat streets.
Chita ranjan Das and Basanti Devi were leading one such group. She went to the streets with her husband despite warnings that the British could arrest her for her activity. As predicted, the British arrested her, but she was released at midnight on the same day. The release of Basanti Devi caused widespread agitation.
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Contributions of Basanti Devi in the Freedom Fight
After Basanti Devi’s arrest, she took charge of the weekly publication of Das, which was known as “Bangalar Katha”.
Apart from her activity, she was also the president of the Bengal Provincial Congress from 1921 and 1922. In 1922, she gave a speech at the Chittagong conference. It spread and encouraged agitation. To spread awareness and develop Indian culture and arts, she traveled around India, which opposed colonialism.
Women of Boldness and Valor
Basanti Devi is also famous for showcasing extreme boldness and Valor and published one famous revolutionary poem by Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The Founder of Chitaranjan Seva Sadan
Basanti Devi was a true freedom fighter and well-wisher of her people, especially women. She founded Chittaranjan Seva Sadan to offer the best care and support to needy mothers.
For her work, she was honored with Padma Vibhushan. And the government developed in her honor. The government of India developed Basanti Devi College in Kolkata in her honor. She was a woman of determination and service, who served India and its people.
Conclusion
In last, We hope that this article is sufficient enough to clarify the information about Basanti Devi.