Bhikaji Cama

Bhikaji Rustom Cama (1861–1936) was one of the most prominent figures of the early Indian freedom movement and a pioneering advocate of women’s rights and Indian nationalism abroad. Often remembered as the first person to unfurl the Indian national flag on foreign soil, she played a crucial role in internationalising the cause of India’s independence and inspiring political activism among expatriate Indians in Europe. Her life was marked by courage, intellect, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice.

Early Life and Education

Bhikaji Cama was born on 24 September 1861 into a wealthy and well-educated Parsi family in Bombay (Mumbai). Her father, Sorabji Framji Patel, was an influential merchant and a prominent member of the Parsi community. Educated at the Alexandra Girls’ English Institution in Bombay, Bhikaji received a liberal and modern education that encouraged critical thinking and social awareness.
In 1885, she married Rustom Cama, a prosperous lawyer who was loyal to British rule. However, ideological differences soon created friction in their marriage. While her husband remained conservative and pro-British, Bhikaji developed strong nationalist convictions and dedicated her life to the cause of India’s independence.

Early Involvement in Social Work

Bhikaji Cama’s public engagement began through her involvement in social service. During the plague epidemic of 1896–97 in Bombay, she volunteered tirelessly to care for the sick and distribute relief materials. Her work brought her into close contact with the poor and suffering, strengthening her resolve to fight against the injustices of colonial rule.
Unfortunately, she contracted the plague herself but survived after a prolonged illness. On medical advice, she travelled to London in 1902 for further treatment — a move that became a turning point in her political career, as it brought her into contact with revolutionary circles in Europe.

Exile and Political Activism in Europe

In London, Bhikaji Cama came into contact with leading Indian nationalists such as Dadabhai Naoroji, Shyamji Krishna Varma, and Madam Annie Besant. She joined the Indian Home Rule Society, founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma in 1905, and began contributing to revolutionary activities abroad.
She also met Veer Savarkar and other members of India House, a centre for Indian revolutionaries in London. Her strong nationalist views soon attracted the attention of British authorities, forcing her to leave for Paris in 1907 to avoid arrest.
In Paris, Cama continued her political work with renewed vigour. Along with Munchershah Burjorji Godrej, S. R. Rana, and other expatriates, she established the Paris Indian Society, which became a hub for anti-British political activity in Europe.

The Indian National Flag at Stuttgart (1907)

Bhikaji Cama’s most celebrated act of patriotism occurred at the International Socialist Conference held in Stuttgart, Germany, in August 1907. As a representative of Indian nationalists, she delivered a powerful speech demanding freedom and equality for India, declaring that “India shall one day be free.”
During this conference, she unfurled the first version of the Indian national flag — a tricolour of green, saffron, and red stripes — symbolising unity and resistance. The flag bore the words “Vande Mataram” and featured symbols representing India’s strength and progress, including the sun and the crescent moon.
This historic act made Bhikaji Cama the first person to hoist the Indian flag on foreign soil, nearly four decades before India’s independence. The flag she unfurled later served as an inspiration for the design of the modern Indian national flag.

Revolutionary Writings and Propaganda

Bhikaji Cama was also a prolific writer and propagandist. She used journalism as a weapon to expose the realities of British rule in India and mobilise international support for Indian freedom.

• She edited and distributed revolutionary publications such as “Vande Mataram,” “The Indian Sociologist,” and “Madan’s Talwar,” all of which were banned in British India.
• These periodicals were printed in Europe and clandestinely smuggled into India to inspire nationalist sentiments among Indians.
• Through her writings, Cama criticised the exploitative economic policies of the British and highlighted the plight of Indian peasants, workers, and women.

Her efforts drew the attention of European socialists and political activists, many of whom expressed solidarity with India’s struggle for self-rule.

Advocacy for Women’s Rights

In addition to her nationalist activities, Bhikaji Cama was a staunch advocate for women’s education and empowerment. She believed that the liberation of India was inseparable from the emancipation of its women. In her speeches, she frequently emphasised that a free India must ensure gender equality and equal opportunities for women in education, employment, and politics.
She represented India at various international conferences, urging global recognition of women’s role in social and political transformation. Her activism placed her among the earliest voices for feminist reform within the Indian freedom movement.

Challenges and Exile

Bhikaji Cama spent over three decades in exile, as the British government refused to allow her to return to India due to her revolutionary activities. Her Paris residence became a refuge for Indian patriots and an informal centre for political discussion.
The British authorities kept her under constant surveillance and exerted diplomatic pressure on the French government to curb her activities. Despite these constraints, she remained steadfast in her mission, maintaining correspondence with Indian revolutionaries and continuing her propaganda against British rule.

Later Life and Return to India

In her later years, Bhikaji Cama’s health deteriorated due to old age and prolonged illness. By the early 1930s, she was almost blind and confined to bed. In 1935, after nearly 33 years abroad, the British government finally permitted her to return to India on condition that she refrain from political activity.
She returned to Bombay and spent her final months in seclusion at the Avabai Petit Hospital in Parsi Colony, where she passed away on 13 August 1936.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Bhikaji Cama’s contributions to the Indian freedom movement were profound and multifaceted:

• Pioneer of Indian Nationalism Abroad: She internationalised India’s freedom struggle by raising its cause on global platforms.
• First Indian to Hoist the National Flag Abroad: Her act at Stuttgart became a symbol of India’s quest for sovereignty.
• Champion of Women’s Rights: She combined nationalism with feminism, emphasising that women’s liberation was essential to national progress.
• Inspiration to Revolutionaries: Her courage and dedication inspired generations of freedom fighters, including those associated with the Ghadar Party and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.
• Advocate of Secular and Democratic Ideals: She envisioned a free India founded on the principles of equality, justice, and fraternity.