Chapter: 12. Famous People Of India
12 Famous People of India
Welcome to our exciting journey into the lives of some of India’s most celebrated individuals! In this self-study document, we’ll explore the incredible achievements and inspiring stories of leaders and personalities who have shaped our nation.
What You Will Learn About
The names of famous leaders and personalities from India. The amazing achievements and contributions of these famous people. Key Terms to Remember
Leaders: People who guide or direct others, often in important roles. Personalities: People who are well-known and often have a distinctive character. Achievements: Things that are accomplished successfully, especially through effort, courage, or skill.
India is a land rich in culture and heritage, and its history is filled with remarkable individuals. Let’s explore some of them!
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was a visionary leader and an exceptional teacher.
He was born on September 5, 1888, in Andhra Pradesh. He was a brilliant writer and authored many books about India. Dr. Radhakrishnan strongly believed that all Indians should be treated equally. He held significant positions in the Indian government, serving as: The first Vice-President of India. The second President of India. To honor his contributions as a great teacher, his birthday, September 5, is celebrated every year as Teacher’s Day across India.
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore was a truly versatile genius, known for his contributions to literature and art.
He was born in Kolkata in 1861. Tagore was a remarkable poet, writer, and artist. He made history by becoming the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize. This prestigious award was given to him for his beautiful book of poems called Gitanjali. He composed and wrote many songs, collectively known as Rabindra Sangeet. Our National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, was written by him. (He also wrote the national anthem for another country, Bangladesh, which is “Amar Shonar Bangla”). Tagore was actively involved in the Indian freedom movement and shared a close friendship with Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi respectfully gave him the title “Gurudev”, which means “a great teacher.” He established a university at Shantiniketan, a place dedicated to education and arts. Rabindranath Tagore passed away in 1941.
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, famously known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for independence.
He was born on October 2, 1869. His parents were Karamchand Gandhi and Putlibai, and his wife was Kasturba Gandhi. As a child, Gandhiji loved to read books and later grew up to write many himself. He became a lawyer and worked in South Africa. There, he was deeply saddened by the racial discrimination shown by white-skinned people towards dark-skinned people. Upon returning to India, he dedicated his life to leading the national freedom movement against British rule. His core belief was non-violence (Ahimsa). He encouraged people to resist British rule peacefully and urged them to boycott goods made in England. Rajghat in Delhi is a memorial built in his memory. He is affectionately known as Bapu and is revered as ‘The Father of the Nation’. His birthday, October 2, is celebrated as the national festival of Gandhi Jayanti in India.
Shivaji Raje Bhosle
Shivaji Raje Bhosle was a legendary warrior and the founder of the Maratha Kingdom.
He was born in 1630, near Pune. From a young age, his mother instilled values of bravery and righteousness by telling him inspiring stories from the great epics, the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Shivaji is famous for numerous tales of his bravery and strategic brilliance: Once, when a rival ruler sent his general to kill Shivaji, Shivaji learned of the plot. During a false embrace, Shivaji used his ‘bagh nak’ (iron tiger claw) to defeat the general. Another time, when Aurangzeb captured Shivaji through trickery, Shivaji cleverly escaped by hiding himself in a large basket of sweets. Shivaji is fondly remembered not just for his bravery, but also for his kindness and profound respect for women. FactPedia: Shivaji’s Military Strategy
Shivaji was a very shrewd and intelligent general. He recognized the importance of a strong naval force. He was a master of guerilla warfare, which involved surprise attacks on the enemy.
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda was a spiritual leader who inspired many with his teachings and vision for India.
He was born in Kolkata in 1863. As he grew up, he deeply studied yoga and Hindu scriptures. He traveled extensively to England and America, where he delivered powerful speeches about yoga and the Hindu religion, introducing them to the Western world. Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission. These organizations were founded in honor of his guru, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Swamiji was considered a great leader and inspiration for the youth of India. His birthday, January 12, is celebrated as National Youth Day in India. He passed away in 1902 at the young age of 39.
Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu was a remarkable poet, political activist, and the first woman Governor in India.
She was born in Hyderabad on February 19, 1879. She showed extraordinary talent from a very young age: At 13, she wrote a long play and drama. She was a genius and joined the Madras University at the tender age of 12 years. In her early years, she mastered many different languages. Later, she actively joined the freedom movement and worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi. She represented India many times by traveling to England. Her dedication to the freedom movement led her to be imprisoned during the Indian Freedom Movement. After India gained independence in 1947, she became the first woman Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She passed away in 1949, while still serving as Governor. FactPedia: The Nightingale of India
Sarojini Naidu, a renowned poet, was affectionately known as the ‘Nightingale of India’ (Bharat Kokila) because of her beautiful poetry.
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose
Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose was a pioneering Indian scientist with groundbreaking discoveries.
He is recognized as one of the first famous Indian scientists. Through his numerous experiments, he provided scientific proof that plants and animals share many common characteristics. He demonstrated that plants are sensitive and respond to external stimuli like heat, cold, noise, and light. He founded the Bose Institute in Kolkata, a premier research institution. He authored many books, with his most famous work being “Response in the Living and Non-Living”.
Bachendri Pal
Bachendri Pal is a renowned Indian mountaineer who achieved a historic feat.
She was born in 1954 in a small village in Uttarakhand. She always had a keen interest in adventurous activities and mountaineering. To pursue her passion and help others, she decided to undertake a mountaineering course so she could teach and guide young women. She became the first Indian woman to successfully climb Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. For her incredible achievements, she was awarded two prestigious honors: the Arjuna Award and the Padmashree. These awards recognize excellence in sports and distinguished service, respectively.
Green Earth: Vandana Shiva
This section highlights an important environmental activist and her contributions.
Vandana Shiva is a leading environmental activist from India. She established an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) called Navdanya. Navdanya has set up numerous seed banks across India. The primary goal of Navdanya and Vandana Shiva’s work is to promote organic farming, which is a sustainable way of growing food without harmful chemicals.
In a Nutshell: Chapter Summary
Here’s a quick recap of the important facts we learned about these famous people of India:
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan’s birthday, September 5, is celebrated as Teachers’ Day. A university at Shantiniketan was set up by Rabindranath Tagore. Mahatma Gandhi is lovingly known as the Father of the Nation. Shivaji Bhosle was a famous Maratha leader known for his bravery and military strategies. The Ramakrishna Mission was established by Swami Vivekananda. Sarojini Naidu, known as the Nightingale of India, was the first woman Governor in India.
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