Basanti Devi

Basanti Devi was an eminent Indian freedom fighter and social reformer from Bengal who played a significant role in India’s nationalist movement during the early twentieth century. She was one of the foremost women to actively participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement and later became a symbol of courage, social awareness, and women’s empowerment. As the wife of the revolutionary leader Chittaranjan Das, she devoted her life not only to India’s independence but also to the advancement of education and social justice.

Early Life and Background

Basanti Devi was born in 1880 in Bhagalpur, Bihar, into a respected and well-educated Bengali family. Her father, Baradanath Chattopadhyay, was a deputy magistrate, and her upbringing was shaped by the values of education and public service. At the age of seventeen, she married Chittaranjan Das, a barrister who later became one of the most prominent political figures in Bengal and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
Despite the conservative norms of the time, Basanti Devi was influenced by the progressive ideals of her husband. The couple shared a deep partnership based on mutual respect and shared patriotism. Her exposure to nationalist discussions at home gradually drew her into active political engagement.

Entry into the Freedom Movement

Basanti Devi’s entry into political activism coincided with the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22) launched by Mahatma Gandhi. During this period, Chittaranjan Das (popularly known as Deshbandhu) emerged as a leading figure of the movement in Bengal, urging people to boycott British goods, schools, and institutions.
When Deshbandhu Das was arrested for his political activities, Basanti Devi took up his cause and continued to mobilise the people of Bengal. Her participation marked a significant step forward for women in the nationalist movement, as she was among the earliest Indian women to step into public life in defiance of social constraints.
She was actively involved in the swadeshi campaign, encouraging people to burn foreign cloth and adopt khadi. Her leadership inspired many other women to join the movement, thereby expanding the social base of India’s struggle for independence.

Arrest and Public Response

In 1921, Basanti Devi, along with Urmila Devi (wife of Subhas Chandra Bose’s elder brother, Sarat Chandra Bose) and Hiralal Bhosale, led a procession in Kolkata to distribute khadi and collect funds for the Tilak Swaraj Fund. The British authorities arrested her for this act of defiance. Her arrest provoked widespread outrage and protest across Bengal and the rest of India.
The incident became a turning point in the history of women’s participation in the freedom struggle. Basanti Devi’s arrest stirred the national consciousness, and Gandhi himself praised her courage, describing her as one of the boldest women of the movement. Her fearless act demonstrated that women could stand equal to men in political struggle, breaking centuries of social restriction.

Leadership and Public Service

After her husband’s death in 1925, Basanti Devi continued his mission with unwavering dedication. She became involved in both political and social activities, particularly in the fields of education and welfare.
She established and managed the Nari Karma Mandir, a vocational training centre for women in Kolkata, which aimed to make women self-reliant and socially conscious. The institution played a vital role in promoting women’s education, skill development, and political awareness in the early decades of the twentieth century.
Basanti Devi was also associated with the Indian National Congress, working closely with leaders such as Subhas Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sarojini Naidu. During the Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement, she continued to mobilise women, organise protests, and encourage youth participation in nationalist activities.
Her residence became a meeting place for political leaders and activists, including Subhas Chandra Bose, who held Basanti Devi in great respect. She played a supportive role in nurturing Bose’s political career, especially during his early years in Bengal politics.

Role in Women’s Empowerment

Basanti Devi’s activism extended beyond political agitation to the upliftment of women. She believed that true independence required not only political freedom from British rule but also social liberation from ignorance, inequality, and oppression.
Through her institutions and public addresses, she encouraged women to become educated, self-reliant, and politically aware. Her work paved the way for the participation of women in India’s public life, setting an example for future generations of female leaders and reformers.
She emphasised the idea that freedom and education were interlinked, and that women’s empowerment was indispensable for building a progressive and self-sufficient nation.

Later Years and Recognition

In her later years, Basanti Devi continued to remain active in public service. Her dignity, simplicity, and compassion made her a revered figure in Bengal. Although she gradually withdrew from active politics, she continued to guide social and educational initiatives.
She passed away in 1974, leaving behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and commitment to both national freedom and social justice.
In recognition of her contributions:

• The Basanti Devi College, established in 1959 in Kolkata, was named in her honour as a tribute to her work in promoting women’s education.
• Various civic institutions and organisations continue to commemorate her life through seminars, awards, and memorial lectures.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Basanti Devi’s life reflects the transformation of Indian women from the private domestic sphere to the public and political arena. Her activism during the Non-Cooperation Movement and beyond signified the entry of women into the forefront of India’s freedom struggle.
She remains a pioneering figure among Indian women freedom fighters, alongside leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, and Vijayalakshmi Pandit. Her moral courage, leadership, and compassion shaped the spirit of Bengal’s political awakening during the nationalist period.