Who is the youngest female freedom fighter in India?

Several young women actively participated in India's freedom struggle, but one of the most inspiring stories is that of Pritilata Waddedar. She was an Indian Bengali revolutionary and a member of the Indian freedom movement, who played a significant role in the Chittagong Uprising of 1930. Pritilata was born on 5 May 1911 in the town of Chittagong, located in present-day Bangladesh. She was the youngest of five children, and her family belonged to a middle-class Brahmin family.

From an early age, Pritilata was known for her intelligence and her desire to learn. She excelled in her studies, and after completing her school education, she enrolled in the prestigious Bethune College in Kolkata. She was a bright student and was awarded a scholarship to study for a degree in philosophy. During her college years, Pritilata was influenced by the ideas of nationalism and the struggle for freedom. She joined the Indian National Congress and became an active participant in the movement for India's independence from British rule.

In 1928, Pritilata moved to Chittagong to take up a teaching position at a local school. She was deeply disturbed by the poverty and suffering of the people in the region, and this further fuelled her passion for the freedom struggle. In Chittagong, Pritilata met Surya Sen, who was leading a group of revolutionaries in the area. She joined his group and soon became one of his most trusted lieutenants.

In 1930, Surya Sen planned a daring raid on the Chittagong Armory, which was a heavily guarded British military installation. The goal was to seize the weapons and use them to launch an uprising against the British. Pritilata was an integral part of the planning and execution of the raid. She helped to recruit members for the group, trained them in the use of weapons, and participated in the actual attack.

The Chittagong raid was a success, and the revolutionaries managed to seize control of the armory. However, the British quickly mobilized their forces and launched a counter-attack. In the ensuing battle, most of the revolutionaries were killed or captured. Pritilata was one of the few who managed to escape.

Despite the failure of the uprising, Pritilata continued to work for the cause of Indian independence. She went into hiding and began to plan another attack on the British. However, she was eventually betrayed by a member of her own group and was forced to flee to a nearby village. The British police soon caught up with her, and she was surrounded in a house with a handful of her fellow revolutionaries.

Rather than surrendering, Pritilata and her comrades chose to fight to the death. They barricaded themselves in the house and engaged in a fierce gun battle with the British police. Pritilata was seriously wounded but refused to give up. She continued to fight until she had no more ammunition and was eventually captured by the police. She was taken into custody and died of her injuries shortly afterward.

Pritilata Waddedar's sacrifice and bravery inspired many others to join the freedom struggle. She became a symbol of resistance and a source of inspiration for the people of India. Her contribution to the Chittagong Uprising is still remembered and celebrated in India and Bangladesh today.

In conclusion, Pritilata Waddedar was one of the youngest female freedom fighters in India who made a significant contribution to the country's struggle for independence. Her unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom, her bravery in the face of danger, and her ultimate sacrifice for the cause will always be remembered as a shining example.