Eminent Personalities in India
1. Leaders of National Movements
1. Allan Octavian Hume (1829-1912) :
He was a British Civil Servant who supported the cause of Indian Independence. After retiring in 1882, he began mobilizing Indian intellectuals and formed the Indian National Union in 1885 and later Indian National Congress. He remained its General Secretary till 1892 and launched a journal 'India' in Britain.
2. Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958) :
Youngest President of INC (1923), head of the Khilafat Committee, propagated nationalist ideas through weeklies 'Al-Hilal' and 'Al-Balagh'. He was a member of the Constituent Assembly became the first Education Minister of independent India.
3. Asaf Ali (1888-1953) :
He obtained his Law degree from Lincoln Inn, London and returned to India in 1914. He gave up his practice during Non Cooperation Movement, remained member of Legislative Assembly from 1935-1947. After Independence was appointed the first Ambassador to USA.
4. Achyut Patwardhan (1905-1971) :
Founder member of Congress Socialist Party. During the Quit India Movement (QIM) he played an active role in keeping the popular morale high. He was involved in underground activities in Maharashtra. After independence he kept away from politics.
5. Acharya Narendra Dev (1889-1956) :
Educationist, patriot and a socialist, he was the founder member of Congress Socialist Party (CSP). He was one of the most prominent fighters in India's struggle for freedom.
6. Aurobindo Ghosh (1872 - 1950) :
Passed I.C.S. exam with record marks, worked for secret societies, started a weekly 'Bengali' and a daily 'Yugantar', involved in Maniktala conspiracy. Finally retired to the life of 'Yoga' at Pondicherry.
7. Ashwini Kumar Dutta :
A leading figure in Swadeshi Movement, promoted cottage industry and launched a lifelong battle against untouchability, prostitution and drinking habit.
8. A.K. Fazlul Haq (1873-1962) :
One of the founder of All India Muslim League, represented the League at the Round Table Conference (1931- 33). Later formed Krishak Praja Party and became Prime Minister of Bengal after 1937 election.
9. Badruddin Taiyabjee (1844-1906) :
He was the first Indian Barrister in Bombay and rose to become the 2nd Indian Chief justice of Bombay Presidency. His deep spirited nationalism drew him towards active political participation. He became the first Muslim President of Congress.
10. Bhulabhai Desai :
He joined Home Rule League and then Congress in 1930, established Swadeshi Sabha and offered Individual Satyagraha in 1940, and negotiated Liaqat-Desai Pact in 1944 which was a measure to solve the Indian Constitutional deadlock between the Congress and the League. He also led the team of lawers defending INA accused.
11. Bidhan Chandra Roy :
A close associate of CR Das, he entered politics when he was elected to Bengal Legislative Assembly by defeating the veteran Surendranath Banerjee.
12. B.G. Kher :
Responding to the call of Mahatma Gandhi joined the national movement during Civil Disobedience Manage-ment. He played a notable part in drafting the Constitution and was the Chairman of Official Language Commission 1955.
13. Bal Gangadhar Tilak :
Established Poona New English School (1885) and launched two newspapers 'Kesari' and 'Marhatta', established anti-cow killing societies, akharas, lathi clubs and organised the Ganapati festival to ignite nationalist passion; started Home Rule League in 1916.
14. Bipin Chandra Pal :
Discarded Orthodox Hinduism and entered Brahmo Samaj, chief architect of Bengal renaissance movement, led the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal and rallied the extremists of Punjab, Maharashtra and Bengal.
15. C.Y. Chintamani (1880-1941) :
Founder member of Liberal Party and represented it at Round Table Conference. Also, a well known journalist and editor of pre-independent India, associated with several newspapers such as 'The Leader, 'The Indian People', 'The Hindustan Review'.
16. Chitranjan Das (1870- 1925) :
Also known as 'Deshbandhu', gained prominence through his successful defense of Aurobindo Ghosh in Alipore conspiracy case(1908), joined Indian National Congress in 1917, left his practice during Non Cooperation Movement. After the withdrawal of Non Cooperation Movement he along with Motilal Nehru and others formed the Swaraj Party.
17. Chittu Pandey :
A nationalist Gandhian leader Who during Quit India Movement established a parallel Government in Bareily.
18. Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) :
Father of Indian Nationalism, dedicated his life and wealth to the cause of freedom. He was the first Indian to claim Self Government for his people. His work 'Poverty and Unbritish rule in India' exposed the true nature of British Colonialism and gave the ideological base for the leaders to build on.
19. Dattatreya Balkrishana Kalelkar (1885- 1981) :
He made principal contribution to Gandhi's constructive work and was head of Sabarmati school where the scheme of Basic education was evolved. He later became the member of Constituent Assembly. Popularly known as 'Kakasaheb Kalelkar', he headed the first Backward Classes Commission formed in 1952.
20. Dinshaw Wacha (1844-1936) :
Close associate of Dadabhai Naoroji, was one of the founder of INC. In 1897 he appeared before the Welby Commission and gave a masterly exposition of the finances of the country.