Umabai Kundapur

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Umabai Kundanpur
Umabai Kundapur.png
Head of the women's wing of the Seva Dal
Personal details
Born(1892-03-25)25 March 1892
Hubballi, Karnataka
Died1992
Political party Indian National Congress

Umabai Kundapur was an Indian freedom fighter from Karnataka, recognized for her leadership in the women's wing of the Seva Dal, a grassroots organization founded by N. S. Hardikar that played a critical role in India's struggle for independence. [1] [2]

Contents

Personal life

Born in 1892, Umabai married Sanjeeva Rao Kundapur in 1905 at the age of 13. She came from a large family, having five brothers. [3] [4]

Life

Umabai was inspired to join the Indian independence movement by the procession of Bal Gangadhar Tilak's funeral on August 1st, 1920. [5] [6] When Mahatma Gandhi announced the Non-Cooperation Movement on September 4th, 1920, Umabaial, her brother Raghurama Rao, and husband Sanjeeva Rao decided to begin taking part in the movement. [7] She helped to encourage women to participate in the movement, and additionally she wrote and performed several plays that revolved around the movement with the aim of inspiring others to join the cause. [8]

After the death of her husband Sanjeeva Rao Kundapur due to tuberculosis on March 28th, 1923, Umabai decided to return to Hubli with her father-in-law. It was during this period that Ananda Rao established the Karnataka Press in Hubli. Following her return, Umabai became involved in the Seva Dal (HSD), founded by Narayan Subbarao Hardikar in 1923, with the aim of motivating Indian youth to participate in the independence movement. She was later elected as leader of the women's wing. Additionally, Umabai took on the responsibility of overseeing the Tilak Kanya School, which was originally established by Hardikar. [9]

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Umabai Kundapur in Congress Hall Umabai kundapur in congress hall.jpg
Umabai Kundapur in Congress Hall

As an active participant in the independence movement, Umabai was arrested by the British government in 1932 and imprisoned in Yerawada jail for a period of 4 months. While in jail, Umabai received the news of her father-in-law Ananda Rao's death. The loss of Ananda Rao, who had been a strong supporter, deeply affected Umabai. Sarojini Naidu, also imprisoned at the time, provided encouragement to Umabai and advised that all activities related to her political movement should be conducted covertly. Upon Umabai's release, she found that the British government had taken control of the Karnataka Press, established by Ananda Rao, and that the Tilak Kanya School had been shut down. Additionally, Bhagini Mandal, an NGO founded by Ananda Rao, was deemed illegal. Despite these setbacks, Umabai continued to provide refuge to freedom fighters in her home.

Umabai Kundapur with her brothers. With brothers.png
Umabai Kundapur with her brothers.

During the Quit India Movement in 1942, the independence movement intensified. Many underground fighters sought shelter at Umabai's residence, where she provided them with food and accommodation while evading the British authorities. [10]

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References

  1. Hegde, Shakila; K, Nagappa Gowda (9 November 2021). Women Empowerment. Prowess Publishing. ISBN   978-1-5457-5447-4.
  2. Mahotsav, Amrit. "Umabai Kundapur". Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  3. Slate, Nico (27 February 2024). Indian Lives Series Book 3 - Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay: The Art of Freedom. Fourth Estate India. ISBN   978-93-5489-960-7.
  4. Karelia, Gopi (23 January 2022). "Umabai: When a Defiant Widow Led 150 Women to Fight for India's Freedom". The Better India. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  5. Jha (2012). Political Science: University of Delhi. Pearson Education India. ISBN   978-93-325-1007-4.
  6. S.H, Patil. The Constitution, Government and Politics in India. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN   978-93-259-9411-9.
  7. Kumar, Anu (25 July 2022). Her Name Was Freedom: 35 Fearless Women Who Fought for India's Independence. Hachette India. ISBN   978-93-93701-12-1.
  8. Rao, V. S. Narayana (29 August 2017). Dr. N.S. Hardiker. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN   978-81-230-2541-4.
  9. Basu, Aparna. Women in Satyagraha. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN   978-81-230-3068-5.
  10. "Umabai Kundapur - Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav".

Bibliography