Pushpalata Das, Indian freedom fighter and social activist
Indian freedom fighter and social activist

Pushpalata Das

Born 27 March 1915 · verify — Died 9 November 2003

Serving as a Rajya Sabha member from Assam between 1951 and 1961.

Pushpalata Das was an Indian independence activist, social worker, Gandhian and legislator from the north-east Indian state of Assam. She was a member of Rajya Sabha from 1951 to 1961, a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly and of the working committee of the Indian National Congress. She served as the chairperson of the Assam chapters of the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Khadi and Village Industries Commission. The Government of India awarded her the country's third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 1999, for her contributions to society.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Pushpalata Das was expelled from her school in 1931 for protesting the execution of Bhagat Singh, a bold act for a teenage student in colonial Assam.

The Story

1
In 1931, Pushpalata Das was expelled from Panbazar Girls High School in Assam after organizing a protest against the hanging of Bhagat Singh, marking her early defiance against British rule.
2
🌟 By 1938, she had completed her post-graduate degree from Andhra University, showcasing her dedication to education despite political turmoil.
3In 1940, while studying law at Earle Law College in Guwahati, she became secretary of the college union and was imprisoned for participating in Gandhi's Individual Satyagraha.
4After marrying Omeo Kumar Das in 1942, she formed the Shanti Bahini and Mrityu Bahini groups, with the latter leading a protest where Kanaklata Barua was fatally shot by police in September 1942.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1999
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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At only 16, Pushpalata Das was expelled from Panbazar Girls High School in 1931 for organizing a protest against Bhagat Singh’s hanging, reflecting her early commitment to the freedom struggle.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in North Lakhimpur, Assam
Pushpalata Das was born to Rameswar Saikia and Swarnalata in North Lakhimpur, Assam.
1915
📚
Education
Expelled for protest against Bhagat Singh’s hanging
While a student at Panbazar Girls High School, she organized a protest against Bhagat Singh’s execution and was expelled.
1931
📚
Education
Completed post-graduate degree at Andhra University
Pushpalata Das graduated and secured her post-graduate degree in 1938 after studies at Andhra University.
1938
⚡
Career
Arrested during Individual Satyagraha
As secretary of Earle Law College union, she participated in Gandhi’s Individual Satyagraha and was imprisoned.
1940
⚡
Career
Led protest where Kanaklata Barua was killed
Das’s group Mrityu Bahini led a protest holding the Indian National Flag; police firing killed Kanaklata Barua.
1942
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Career
Began Rajya Sabha membership
She was nominated to the Rajya Sabha representing Assam, serving until 1961.
1951
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received India’s third highest civilian award for her lifelong social and political work.
1999
🕊️
Death
Death
Pushpalata Das passed away, leaving a legacy in Assam’s freedom and social movements.
2003
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Despite her expulsion, she passed matriculation as a private candidate in 1934 and then studied at Benaras Hindu University and Andhra University, finishing her post-graduate degree by 1938.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

During her law studies in 1940, she was elected secretary of the college union and imprisoned for participating in Gandhi’s Individual Satyagraha, halting her legal education.

03 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Pushpalata Das co-founded Mrityu Bahini, which led a procession in 1942 carrying the Indian National Flag; police firing during this protest killed Kanaklata Barua, a key martyr in Assam’s freedom movement.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Pushpalata Das’s activism helped forge Assam’s distinct political voice during India’s early years of independence, especially through her roles in legislative bodies and social organizations. Her leadership in the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust and Khadi Commission revived Gandhian self-reliance movements in the northeast. These efforts strengthened grassroots social reforms and women's political participation in Assam.

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