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Bishni Devi Shah Biography: The Unknown Freedom Fighter Of India

Bishni Devi Shah Wikipedia: The amazing story of ‘Bishni Devi Shah’, the first brave woman of Uttarakhand to go to jail for the country’s independence.

Bishni Devi Shah Biography

Bishni Devi Shah was a great freedom fighter from Uttarakhand who played an important role in the Indian freedom struggle and also inspired women to join this movement. Let us know about them.

About Bishni Devi Shah: There are many unsung heroes and heroines in the Republic of India who contributed significantly to the freedom struggle (Swatantrata Sangram) and the building of the country, but their works did not get adequate recognition in history. It includes many names like Bishni Devi Shah, Aruna Asaf Ali, Matangini Hazra, Tara Rani Srivastava, and others who fought for the freedom of the country by participating in movements like Satyagraha, boycotts of foreign clothes, and revolutionary activities. Besides, he also did important work for social reform, education, and women’s rights. 

But many such names were lost in the history of the Indian Republic. The contribution of these unsung heroes is a source of inspiration in Indian history. And it is our responsibility to remember and respect them. Through this article, we will remember the great heroine Bishni Devi Shah, who risked everything to free India from the British. But his name could not be recorded in the pages of history. Through this article, we will describe his life, struggle, and achievements in detail.

Bishni Devi Shah was a great freedom fighter from Uttarakhand who played an important role in the Indian freedom struggle and also inspired women to join this movement. She was the first woman freedom fighter from Uttarakhand to go to jail during the freedom struggle. He was born into an ordinary family in Uttarakhand. But she actively participated in the freedom movement, and after the death of her husband, at the age of just 19, she started the struggle against the British.

How Was The Early Life Of Bishni Devi Shah? Introduction To Bishni Devi Shah’s Life 

Bishni Devi Shah was born on October 12, 1902, in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand. At the time of Bishni Devi’s birth, the wave of freedom struggle had spread across the country, including Kumaon. At that time, movements against British rule in India were gradually gaining momentum. People in Kumaon were also becoming aware of the British Empire, and several small rebellions and conflicts were taking place in the region.

She is known as the first female freedom fighter of Uttarakhand, who also had to go to jail during the freedom struggle. His childhood was full of struggle. After studying till fourth grade, her education was stopped, and she got married at the age of just 13. But this was just the beginning; they had more struggles to face. Another challenge knocked in her life, and in 1918, her husband died after just three years of marriage. She became a widow at the age of just 16.

After becoming a widow, she faced neglect from both her in-laws and her maternal home. At that time, when the husband died at an early age, due to the traditions of the society and economic dependence, many women were forced to take sannyasa and become’mother’. But Bishni Devi Shah refused to accept this tradition. And instead of becoming ‘Mai’, she decided to dedicate her life to the welfare of society and the nation. Even in these difficult circumstances, her courage did not waver, and she continued to move forward in her life with enthusiasm and courage.

How She Became A 19-Year-Old Freedom Fighter

Bishni Devi Shah’s patriotism began at the age of 19 with the singing of the national anthem. Women used to sing the songs of Kumaoni poet Gourda in night vigils, which infused national spirit among the women. Bishni Devi participated in the meetings of the Nanda Devi temple in Almora and worked actively in Swadeshi propaganda work. They honoured him while going to jail, performed puja-aarti, and even offered flowers; this was his way of encouraging the agitators. Bishni Devi Shah donated all her savings and two drains of land for the promotion of Swadeshi in Kumaon.

At the time when Bishni Devi’s husband passed away, meetings were also being held continuously in Almora to end the atrocities of the British. The Kumaon region, which included Almora, had become an active centre for the freedom struggle. And 19-year-old widow Bishni Devi Shah also jumped into the freedom struggle. In 1919, Bishni Devi Shah took part in the freedom struggle under the inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi and became active in promoting the Swadeshi movement.

Tricolor Hoisted Under The Leadership Of Women

Between 1929 and 1930, awareness among women started increasing rapidly. By 1930, women started actively participating in the freedom movement. At this time, awareness was spreading not only among the women of Almora but also among the women of Ramnagar and Nainital. On 25 May 1930, it was decided to hoist the national flag in Almora Municipality. On this occasion, a procession of volunteers, including women, took place, but Gorkha soldiers tried to stop it. During this, Mohanlal Joshi and Shantilal Trivedi were attacked, due to which they were injured.

Then the women formed an organised group under the leadership of Bishni Devi Shah, Durga Devi Pant, Tulsi Devi Rawat, and Bhaktidevi Trivedi. These women got the support of Kunti Devi Verma, Mangala Devi Pandey, Bhagirathi Devi, Jeevanti Devi, and Revati Devi. Badridatt Pandey and Devidutt Pant along with other friends of Almora also arrived to help him. This increased the courage of the women, and they were successful in hoisting the flag.

Why Bishni Devi Shah Went To Jail Twice During The Freedom Struggle

When the tricolour was hoisted in Almora Municipality on 25 October 1930, Bishni Devi Shah was arrested for this in December 1930. He was subjected to severe torture in jail, but despite this, his courage and enthusiasm did not diminish. And thus Bishni Devi Shah became the first woman from Uttarakhand to go to jail for independence. After being released from jail, she started propagating the Swadeshi movement in Algeria.

Due to his continuous activism in the national movement, he was arrested for the second time on 7 July 1933 and sent to Fatehgarh jail, where he was sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 200. At that time, Rs 200 was considered a huge amount. Due to his failure to pay the fine, his sentence was increased to one year, but he was soon released as his health condition deteriorated.

Why She Sold Charkha Door To Door

Bishni Devi Shah reduced the price of charkha in Almora to Rs 5 and sold charkha to women from door to door. He organised women and taught them the art of spinning the charkha. His area of ​​work gradually started expanding outside Almora also. On February 2, 1931, a procession of women took out in Bageshwar, in which Bishni Devi encouraged and congratulated them. In Sera Durg (Bageshwar), he donated half a drain of land and Rs 5. She also worked secretly to collect funds for the agitators, deliver materials, and work as a letter carrier.

Fearless Bishni Devi Shah Had Violated Section 144

After his release from Fatehgarh jail, Uttarayani fair was organised in Bageshwar on the occasion of Makar Sankranti in 1934. In which the British government had implemented Section 144. Despite this, fearless Bishni Devi Shah exhibited Khadi in the fair.

Other important contributions of Bishni Devi Shah

In 1934, a meeting was held in Ranikhet under the chairmanship of Har Govind Pant in which Bishni Devi Shah was elected as an executive member.

  • Tricolour was hoisted at Congress Bhawan, Almora, on 23 July 1935.
  • Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, who came to create public awareness in Kumaon, appreciated the contribution of Bishni Devi in ​​the freedom struggle.
  • Hoisted the flag again in Almora on January 26, 1940.
  • Bishni Devi also participated in individual Satyagraha in 1940-41.
  • Bishni Devi also participated and actively participated in the Quit India Movement of 1942 in Almora.
  • When the country became independent on August 15, 1947, Bishni Devi led a huge procession with the tricolour in Almora.

Demonstration Of Steadfast Resolve Through Poetry

Bishni Devi Shah was sent to jail twice during the freedom struggle, but this courageous woman was never afraid. Even in jail, he demonstrated his strength and unwavering determination by repeating lines from popular songs. In jail he often used to say, “Don’t consider jail as brother; to go to jail is Krishna’s temple, to get prasad.” The lines were repeated.

Her Last Day Of Life

Due to financial constraints and lack of loved ones, Bishni Devi’s last days were spent in very difficult circumstances. He died in the year 1974 at the age of 73. If the contribution of women in the freedom movement is discussed, the name of Bishni Devi Shah of Bageshwar will always be at the forefront. She was the first woman from Uttarakhand to be arrested during the freedom movement. Despite this, Bishni Devi, who had the determination of a mountain, never lost courage even in jail.

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