DALIT CLUB

  Damodar Bangera Damodar Bhai Bangera, affectionately remembered as Bahadur Damodar Bangera, was a valiant Indian freedom fighter whose audacious act of defiance during the Quit India Movement of 1942 immortalized him in the annals of the independence struggle. Hailing from the resilient Billawa community—a Scheduled Caste group from the Tulu Nadu region of coastal Karnataka, traditionally associated with agriculture, toddy-tapping, and social reform—Bangera embodied the unyielding spirit of the marginalized in the fight against British colonialism. Though detailed records of his personal life are limited, reflecting the often-erased contributions of subaltern heroes, his legacy as the man who hoisted the Tricolour atop the Supreme Court building in Bombay (now Mumbai) stands as a profound symbol of sovereignty and courage. Active in the 1940s, Bangera's story highlights how ordinary individuals from oppressed communities fueled the mass uprising that hastened India's freedom...

  Tarun Ram Phukan Tarun Ram Phukan (also spelled Phookan), revered as Deshbhakta (Patriot) or Deshbandhu (Friend of the Nation), was a towering figure in India's independence movement, particularly in Assam. Born into an aristocratic Assamese family, he was a barrister, orator, writer, social reformer, educator, and hunter whose life embodied selfless patriotism and moral leadership. Phukan bridged Western legal education with indigenous nationalism, mobilizing Assam's masses against colonial rule while championing cultural preservation and social equity. His efforts laid the groundwork for Assam's integration into the broader Indian freedom narrative, emphasizing ethical governance, education, and inclusive development. Over his 62 years, Phukan transformed from an elite lawyer to a radical activist, inspiring generations with his mantra that "true patriotism is not loud; it is lived every day through service, integrity, and purpose." Early Life and Family Ta...

Pannalal Barupal Pannalal Barupal (6 April 1913 – 19 May 1983) was a dedicated Indian independence activist, politician, agriculturist, businessman, and social reformer from Rajasthan. Hailing from the Meghwal community—a Scheduled Caste group known for their resilience amid historical marginalization—he emerged as a vocal advocate for the oppressed, blending anti-colonial fervor with post-independence efforts to uplift rural and Dalit communities. As a five-time Member of Parliament (MP) from the Ganganagar constituency, Barupal's life was a testament to grassroots activism, cooperative politics, and the fight against caste-based discrimination. His contributions extended beyond the freedom struggle to fostering economic self-reliance and social equality, earning him enduring recognition as a "Sahayak" (helper) to the underprivileged. Early Life and Education Pannalal Barupal was born on April 6, 1913, in Bikaner, Rajasthan, into a modest family. His father, Shri Moda ...

  Puran Singh Koli Puran Singh Koli (also spelled Pooran Singh Koli or Puran Kori), a valiant soldier from the Koli (or Kori) community—a Dalit caste traditionally associated with weaving and labor in northern India—played a crucial role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British colonial rule. As an artilleryman in the army of Rani Lakshmibai, the iconic queen of Jhansi, he fought fiercely to defend his homeland. Best known as the devoted husband of Jhalkari Bai, another legendary figure of the revolt who disguised herself as the Rani to aid her escape, Puran Singh embodied the spirit of resistance among marginalized communities. Though historical records focus more on his wife's exploits, his contributions as a frontline defender highlight the collective bravery of ordinary soldiers in India's first major war of independence. Born in the early 19th century near Jhansi (exact date unknown), he lived and died as a patriot, with his legacy intertwined with the larger narra...

  Ratnappa Kumbhar Dr. Ratnappa Bharamappa Kumbhar, fondly known as Deshbhakt Ratnappa Kumbhar (Patriot Ratnappa Kumbhar), was a prominent Indian independence activist, politician, social reformer, educationist, and co-operative leader from Maharashtra. Born into a modest Lingayat family of potters, he rose to become one of the unsung heroes of India's freedom struggle, a signatory to the Constitution, and a key figure in post-independence nation-building. His life exemplified dedication to social justice, anti-feudal agitation, and cooperative movements that uplifted rural economies. Over his nearly nine-decade-long journey, Kumbhar bridged the fight against colonial and princely oppression with efforts to foster industrial and agricultural growth in his region. Early Life and Education Ratnappa Kumbhar was born on September 15, 1909, in Nimshirgaon village, Shirol tehsil, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra (near Ichalkaranji, where he later became deeply associated). He hailed fro...

    Mirabehn Mirabehn (born Madeleine Slade, 22 November 1892 – 20 July 1982), also known as Meera Behn or Mira Behn, was a British-born disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, environmentalist, writer, and dedicated freedom fighter in India's independence movement. Renouncing her aristocratic upbringing in England, she arrived in India in 1925 and spent nearly 34 years there, embodying Gandhian ideals of non-violence, self-reliance, asceticism, and rural reconstruction. As Gandhi's "adopted daughter," she played a pivotal role in promoting khadi (hand-spun cloth), participating in satyagraha campaigns like the Salt March and Quit India Movement, and advocating for women's empowerment and sustainable living. Post-independence, she pioneered ecological farming in the Himalayas, influencing movements like Chipko. Her life bridged East and West, symbolizing global solidarity against colonialism, and she remains an icon of cross-cultural activism, recently highlighted in 2025 Ind...

Shaheed Laxman Naik Shaheed Laxman Naik (also spelled Laxman Nayak or Laxman Naiko, 22 November 1899 – 29 March 1943) was a revered tribal leader, civil rights activist, and freedom fighter from southern Odisha, India. Often hailed as the "Gandhi of Malkangiri" for his unwavering commitment to Gandhian principles of non-violence, truth, and self-reliance, Naik mobilized indigenous communities against British colonial exploitation, zamindari oppression, and social injustices. Belonging to the Bhuyan tribe—a Scheduled Tribe known for their agrarian and forest-based livelihoods—he emerged as a symbol of tribal resistance during the Quit India Movement of 1942. His life story, rooted in the rugged hills of Koraput (now Malkangiri district), exemplifies the intersection of anti-colonial struggle and tribal empowerment, making him a cult figure among Odisha's Adivasi (indigenous) people. Naik's execution by hanging at the age of 43 cemented his martyrdom, inspiring generat...

  Mahabiri Devi Mahabiri Devi, also revered as a "Virangana" (heroic woman warrior) in Dalit and Bahujan narratives, was a Dalit freedom fighter from the Bhangi (Valmiki) community during India's First War of Independence in 1857. Born into one of the most marginalized castes, traditionally associated with manual scavenging and severe untouchability, she emerged as a symbol of resistance against both British colonial oppression and entrenched caste-based exploitation. In her early twenties at the time of the revolt, Mahabiri is celebrated in subaltern histories for mobilizing and leading an all-women militia—comprising 22 untrained village women from diverse backgrounds—against British forces in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Her story, drawn from oral traditions, Dalit literature, and local accounts, challenges mainstream historiography by highlighting the pivotal role of Dalit women in the uprising, reframing 1857 as a people's revolt inclusive of the most disenfranc...

  Matadin Bhangi Matadin Bhangi, also known as Matadin Valmiki or Matadeen Bhangi, was a Dalit freedom fighter from the Bhangi (Valmiki) community, a caste traditionally associated with sanitation work and deemed "untouchable" in the rigid Hindu social hierarchy of 19th-century India. He is revered in Dalit narratives as the unsung "father" (janak) of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, often credited with igniting the spark that led to the widespread uprising against British colonial rule. While mainstream histories spotlight figures like Mangal Pandey, Dalit oral traditions, literature, and popular accounts position Matadin as the true initiator, emphasizing his role in exposing both British exploitation and caste-based hypocrisies among Indian soldiers. Background Born into a marginalized Dalit family in colonial India, Matadin worked as a low-ranking sepoy (laborer) in the British East India Company's cartridge manufacturing unit at the Barrackpore cantonment ne...

S aheed Telanga Khadiya S aheed Telanga Khadiya (also spelled Telanga Kharia, 2 February 1806 – 21 February 1880) was a revered tribal freedom fighter from the Chotanagpur region (now Jharkhand, India), celebrated for leading a decades-long armed rebellion against British colonial rule, exploitative zamindars, and moneylenders from 1850 to 1880. Born into the Kharia tribe, a Scheduled Tribe (Adivasi) community, Telanga was a Pahan (traditional priest-shaman) who galvanized his people to resist land alienation, forced labor, and cultural erosion under British policies. His guerrilla warfare in the dense forests of Chotanagpur, particularly around Gumla and Simdega, made him a formidable adversary to colonial forces, earning him the title "Shaheed" (martyr) after his execution. Unlike mainstream nationalist movements, Telanga’s struggle was a subaltern uprising rooted in Adivasi identity, focusing on reclaiming tribal autonomy and land rights. His legacy endures through folk so...