The Brave Freedom Fighter in the Indian Freedom Struggle
The Indian freedom struggle has seen many great leaders, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Dadabhai Naoroji, and several others. However, there have been many other unsung and brave freedom fighters who have laid down their lives for the nation. One such young Indian hero and one of the youngest martyrs of the Quit India movement, at the age of 17, was Kanaklata Barua.
Who was Kanaklata Barua?
Kanaklata Barua was born on December 22, 1924, in Barangabari, Assam. She belonged to a conservative family called the "Dolaksharia family." Her father was a farmer. She completed her primary education at Barangabari School. At the tender age of 5, she became an orphan. Due to this, she learned to be responsible from her childhood days. This responsibility and dutiful character inspired her to sacrifice her life for the nation.
Kanaklata Barua joining the Mriyu Bahini
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During the 1940s, the Indian freedom struggle was at its peak, with the Quit India movement gaining popularity across the country.
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The youth of India during that time was getting highly impatient and wanted freedom from the British rule as soon as possible
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It was during this time that Kanaklata Barua fulfilled her long-awaited dream of serving the country.
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She wanted to join the Azad Hind Sena. However, being a minor, she couldnot.
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A group of young Indians formed a group named "Mrityu Bahini." The youngsters in the group were determined to sacrifice their lives for the nation.
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Kanaklata Barua joined the Mrityu Bahini group and was made the leader of the women cadres.
The inspiring message from Mahatma Gandhi
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On August 9, 1942, Gandhiji asked the British to "quit India" and gave the people of India the mantra "Do or Die."
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This message from Gandhiji inspired Kanaklata Barua and her comrades from Mriyu Bahini to free India or die in the attempt.
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After hearing this message, everyone from the Mriyu Bahini vowed to free India, even if it was at the cost of their lives.
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All the youngsters from Mriyu Bahini clinched their fists and had fire in their eyes to free India from the British.
The master plan for hoisting the national flag
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The Mriyu Bahini resolved to hoist the national flag at a local police station in the Gohpur region on September 20, 1942.
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Early morning, the Mriyu Bahini members, under the leadership of Kanaklata Barua, began their procession by shouting slogans of "Vande Mataram", "Bharat Mata ki Jai", "Gandhiji ki Jai".
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The members marched ahead towards the police station, with Kanaklata Barua holding the national flag as the leader of the Mriyu Bahini group.
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The procession was stopped by the police. A police official warned the Mriyu Bahini members that if they did not stop their march, he would shoot.
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Undeterred by the warning, Kanaklata Barua and her comrades kept marching ahead by chanting slogans of "Vande Mataram" and "Karo ya Maro" (do or die).
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The police opened fire at the people who marched ahead in the procession.
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The police shot at Kanaklata Barua, who injured herself.
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Even when Kanaklata fell, she held the national flag high in her hand.
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Kanaklata kept holding the flag as long as she could.
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After her grip weakened, Mukanda Kakati took the flag from her and rushed towards the police station.
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The police shot Mukanda, and he fell to the ground.
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A group of young freedom fighters took the national flag from Mukanda and somehow managed to hoist it on top of the police station building.
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Both Kanaklata and Mukanda succumbed to the injuries and attained martyrdom at a young age.
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Kanaklata Barua, along with many of her companions, closed their eyes for the freedom of their motherland and saw the national flag flying high.
Kanaklata Barua attained martyrdom at a young age with the tricolor in her hands. The people of Assam still remember her with pride. Kanaklata Barua is no longer with us, but her bravery, valor, and sacrifice for the country at such a young age continue to inspire millions of other Indians, especially women. It was the sacrifices made by Kanaklata Barua and many other Indian heroes that helped India attain independence on August 15, 1947.