• Dr. C.Godwinsam

Women played a significant role in the Freedom struggle of India. Besides Indian women, European women also entered the Indian political scene and started several organizations and volunteered their services. The Indian freedom movement was a revolutionary movement in the initial stage. There were twin agitations, namely Swadesi and boycott of British goods. The weapon of the boycott was turned not against an individual but British goods. The women of Tamil Nadu were awakened with patriotic fever. The revolutionary ideas touched the people and they raised their hands against the Government. They did not tolerate the suppression of the movement. The leadership of Tamil Nadu's new agitational politics comprised largely of young people in their twenties and thirties. The Individual Human Satyagraha was held in the first eight districts of Madras province in a very active manner. After that, it lasted for twelve districts. Anjali, who was a member of the Provincial Council in Chennai and Jayalakshmi from Tirunelveli during this period, and Lakshmi Bharathi from Madurai were most active in the struggle. Not only that but everyone like Rukmini Rajan Bharathi ns Rukmini Lokeswari MS Palammal Seethalakshmi Thayammal took part in this individual satyagraha struggle. Seethalakshmi Kumaraswamy Neelavathi Jegathambal Sri Tripurasundari AC Jayalakshmi and others took part in the satyagraha protests in Chennai and Cuddalore. They were arrested and imprisoned for participating in this struggle. The Quit India Movement was attended not only by the Congress movement but also by the general public in India. The Girl students also contributed immensely to the Freedom struggle. Students, especially from the College of Women, jumped into the fray. Women in the freedom struggle of the country have contributed significantly. Indian women actively participated in the revolution and movement for social change during the national struggle for independence.

Women - Freedom struggle - political scene - revolutionary movement - British goods – boycott – Swadesi - agitations – awakened – leadership – Individual – Satyagraha - Provincial Council - Madras province - Quit India Movement – Congress - social change – independence.

" ROLE OF WOMEN FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN TAMIL NADU", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 8, page no.220-227, August-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1810A82.pdf

" ROLE OF WOMEN FREEDOM FIGHTERS IN TAMIL NADU", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 8, page no. pp220-227, August-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1810A82.pdf