The Naga Freedom Fighter
A spiritual and political leader from the Northeast who fought against British rule.
A Symbol of Resistance
Rani Gaidinliu was a Naga spiritual and political leader who spearheaded an armed rebellion against the British in the Northeast. At a young age, she joined her cousin Haipou Jadonang’s movement, and after his execution, she took charge, leading her people against British oppression and becoming a revered figure in the region’s history.
1932
Arrested at Age
16
Rani
Title Given by
Jawaharlal Nehru
A Life of Defiance: A Timeline
1927: Early Activism
She joined the Heraka religious movement, led by her cousin Haipou Jadonang, which sought to revive Naga tribal religion and resist Christian missionary influence as well as British rule.
1931: Jadonang’s Execution
After Jadonang was executed by the British, Gaidinliu took over the leadership of the movement, turning it into a full-fledged armed rebellion against colonial rule.
1932: Capture and Imprisonment
At just 16 years old, she was captured and sentenced to life imprisonment for her revolutionary activities, spending 14 years in various jails across Assam and Nagaland.
1947: Release and Later Life
She was released from prison after India’s independence and continued to work for the welfare of her people and the preservation of their culture, receiving numerous awards for her service to the nation.