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[shahrukh]

India's struggle for freedom was quite long and no matter how many names we try and recall, there are always some that are left behind. Take a look at 10 people who made significant contributions to our struggle for independence, but didn’t make it to our history books.

1. V.O. Chidambaram Pillai



At a time when the Indian market had only British goods and nobody dared to trade against them, this man decided to launch India’s first indigenous shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo. He then started the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company to compete against British goods.

[shahrukh]

2. Surya Sen



He is definitely one of India’s unsung heroes. Sen was noticed for leading the 1930 Chittagong armoury raid of Bengal (now Bangladesh). He was captured, tried and hanged later, but inspired generations of revolutionaries in Bengal.

[shahrukh]

3. Potti Sreeramulu



He was an ardent follower of Mahatama Gandhi, and worked for various causes in India, especially the Dalit community. Interestingly, the people of Andhra worship him because it was his fast unto death led to the formation of a separate state for the Telugu speaking population.

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4. Rani Gaidinliu



She was barely 13 years old when she led a revolt against the British rule to drive them out of Naga lands in Manipur and surrounding areas. At 16, she was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. In 1937, Nehru met her at Shillong Jail and pursued for her release. He also gave her the title ‘Rani’ after which she was popularly known as Rani Gaidinliu.

[shahrukh]

5. Alluri Sitarama Raju




Raju was a folk hero in Andhra Pradesh. He took up the cause of the tribals in the agency areas who were being harassed by the British under the Forest Act. He started an armed rebellion where he raided police stations, captured weapons and indulged in guerrilla attacks. This came to be known as the Rampa Rebellion.

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6. Sardar Goutu Lachanna



He was an active participant in the Quit India movement and was named Sardar for his fearless attitude. The British government was after him for carrying out frequent raids. Lachanna also worked actively for the rights of backward classes, trade unions and other weaker sections of society.

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