Eminent Personalities in India
1. Leaders of National Movements
61. Muzaffar Ahmed :
He was a communist leader who was sentenced in Kanpur and Meerut conspiracy cases. He established 'All Bengal Kisan Sabha' and 'formed Labour Swaraj Party' which was renamed Peasants and Workers Party.
62. Muhammad Iqbal :
Emphasised the need for reconstruction of Muslim religious thought in the light of modern problems, wrote "Sare- jahan-se-achha". But in 1930, suggested the formation of Pakistan.
63. Moreshwar Vasudeo Abhayankar (1886- 1935) :
A disciple of Lokmanya Tilak, worked for the upliftment of Harijans and women, he earned the title of 'Narkesar'. He led Anti-Simon Commission agitation and Civil Disobedience Movement in his region.
64. N.C. Kelkar (1872-1947) :
One of Lokmanya's closest associates, edited 'Marhatta', 'Kesari', 'Swarajist', also served as President of Bombay Provincial Congress was a member of Central Legislative Assembly (1923-26).
65. N.M. Lokhanday :
A trade union leader, an associate of Jyotiba Phule, started a weekly called 'Dinabandu', organized Bombay Mill Hands Association.
67. Nilakantha Das (1884-1967) :
Participated in Non- Cooperation Movement, led the Independent People's Party after independence. A great educationist edited 'Navabharata', 'Samaj' and 'Seva'.
68. Pherozeshah Mehta :
He was a moderate leader of Congress and was its founder member. Also founded Bombay Presidency Association. The Acts of 1872 and 1888, called Magna Carta of municipal freedom, owe a lot to him. He owned and founded 'Bombay Chronicle' in 1913.
69. Purushottam Das Tondon (1882-1962) :
A lawyer, he joined Non- Cooperation movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. He organized a no-rent campaign in UP. Fondly called 'Rajrishi' later became the Speaker of united provinces Legislative Assembly.
70. Pratap Singh Kairon (1901-1965) :
A Kisan leader, he organized peasant activities in Punjab. Later, he worked for the 'Des Bhagat Parivar Sahaik' an organization to assist political activities. Journal 'New Era' was started by him.
71. P.C. Joshi :
A leading Marxists, who organized communist movement in India during 1920's and 1940's.
72. Rashbehari Ghose :
A moderate Congress leader, was the President of Surat session in 1907, where the Congress split into moderates and extremist. He understood the need of education for advancement of the people, gave a part of his own wealth as endowment to the Universities of Calcutta and Benaras.
73. Ram Manohar Lohia :
Founder member of Congress Socialist Party (CSP) he edited its journal 'Congress Socialist'. At Nehru's advice he looked into interest of Indians overseas. Along with Jaiprakash Narayanan he was involved in underground activities during quit India movement.
74. Rahimatulla Sayani :
Remained President of Bombay municipal corporation for 25 years. A prominent muslim leader, he supported communal harmony. Served the pioneer educational institution Anjuman-e-Islam as its Secretary and later Vice President.
75. Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963) :
He joined national movement during Champaran Satyagraha (1917). A strong believer in education for reform, he was the founder of the National College in Patna. Was elected the President of Constituent Assembly, and the first President of Indian Republic.
76. Ravi Shankar Shukla :
Influenced by Ghokale and Gandhi he joined the freedom struggle. His financial cum educational Vidhya Mandir Scheme had drawn wide attention. He was responsible for formation of the new state of Madhya Pradesh.
77. Surendra Nath Banerji :
A moderate Congress leader fondly remembered as 'Rashtra Guru', was the first Indian to pass ICS in 1871. Founded the Indian Association in 1876, took all India tour to raise national consciousness, the first leader to do so. Was the editor and proprietor of 'Bengalee'. Later he left Congress to become the first President of Indian Liberal Federation.
78. Satyapal (1885-1954) :
A doctor by profession, he joined Rowlatt agitation after resigning from his government job. He took part in all major national movements for which he was jailed many times. He also served as Secretary and President of Punjab Congress and as the Speaker of Punjab Assembly.
79. Saifuddin Kitchlew :
A close associate of Gandhi, played a leading role in satyagraha movement of 1919 and participated in Non Cooperation Movement. He defended the accused in Delhi and Meerut conspiracy cases as their lawyer. Was the founder President of the World Peace Council.Also became the first Indian to get Stalin Peace Prize 1954.
80. Sachindananda Sinha (1871-1950) :
He was a moderate Congress leader. Served as a member of Executive Council of Bihar, from 1939-1944 was the Vice Chancellor of Patna University. In 1946 he was made the interim President of Constituent Assembly.
