Subhadra Kumari Chauhan: A Pioneer in Modern Indian Literature

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan
● Subhadra Kumari Chauhan was born on August 16, 1904 in Nihalpur village of Prayagraj district (Uttar Pradesh).
● She was a famous poetess and freedom fighter.
● Subhadra Kumari Chauhan and her husband joined the Non-Cooperation Movement in the year 1921.
● She also led the Flag Satyagraha in Jabalpur.
● Subhadra Kumari Chauhan was the first woman Satyagrahi to be arrested in Nagpur and had to go to jail twice in the year 1923 and in the year 1942 for participating in the protests against the British rule.
● Subhadra Kumari Chauhan wrote many popular works in Hindi poetry. Jhansi Ki Rani, describing the life of Rani Lakshmi Bai, is one of her most famous works.
● Poems like ‘Veeron Ka Kaisa Ho Basant’, ‘Rakhi Ki Chunoti’ and ‘Vida’ composed by her were also highly patriotic and inspiring.
● Subhadra Kumari Chauhan's writings focused on the difficulties faced by women.
● Her work reflects her concern about gender and caste discrimination faced by women. This is an issue that is relevant even today.
● Subhadra Kumari Chauhan died on February 15, 1948. Her contribution in the field of Hindi literature and her role in the Indian freedom struggle are still remembered.
● The first stanza of the poem 'Jhansi Ki Rani' by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan-
सिंहासन हिल उठे राजवंशों ने भृकुटी तानी थी,
बूढ़े भारत में भी आई फिर से नयी जवानी थी,
गुमी हुई आज़ादी की कीमत सबने पहचानी थी,
दूर फिरंगी को करने की सबने मन में ठानी थी।
चमक उठी सन सत्तावन में, वह तलवार पुरानी थी,
बुंदेले हरबोलों के मुँह हमने सुनी कहानी थी,
खूब लड़ी मर्दानी वह तो झाँसी वाली रानी थी॥