Page 39 - NIS English 16-31 Aug 2022

Subhadra Kumari Chauhan Personality
SHE EXPRESSED THE HEROICS OF

THE QUEEN OF JHANSI IN POETRY

The Kshatriyas were known for their swords throughout Indian history. But there was also a
Kshatrani who transformed her pen into a sword. That, too, came at a time when many people
were working hard to bring the debate and campaign about women's participation in public life to a
logical conclusion. Despite this, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, an Indian daughter born four decades
before independence, took up the pen for her country and made the bold decision to leave the
house and join the movements. She became the first woman fighter to join Mahatma Gandhi's
non-cooperation movement. But she was recognised throughout the country by that classic
composition, "Jhansi ki Rani," in which she narrated Manikarnika's valour in poetry and brought her
to everyone's tongue.

she had written down. She was the first woman
to join Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation
movement and was imprisoned several times. She
is also known to have taken part in the 'Jhanda
t would not be incorrect to call it the most read Satyagraha' in Jabalpur on March 18, 1923. The
poem in Hindi. This poem strikes the heart news of this Satyagraha is said to have caused
Itime and again, from schoolbooks to the panic in London.
stage of life. However, few people She spent nearly a year in prison for
are aware that Subhadra Kumari her involvement in the Satyagraha of
Chauhan wrote this poem while 1941 and the Quit India Movement
imprisoned. of 1942. She never squandered
Subhadra Kumari Chauhan her time in jail. She continued
was born on Nagpanchami, to write on a regular basis even
August 16, 1904, in the while imprisoned. In prison, she
village of Nihalpur near met many of the characters in
Prayagraj. She attended her stories. During her time in jail
'Crosthwaite Girls' School.' in Jabalpur, she wrote numerous
Subhadra's first poem was stories. She was also an MLA in
published in the Prayag-based the Madhya Pradesh Legislative
magazine 'Maryada' in 1913, Assembly. She wrote approximately 88
when she was nine years old. This poems and 46 stories during her lifetime.
poem was published under the name of She died at the young age of 44 in a road accident
"Subhadrakunvari". Subhadra was curious and on February 15, 1948, while on way from Nagpur
sharp-minded. Subhadra and Mahadevi Varma to Jabalpur. "The passing away of Subhadra ji
were both childhood friends. Her studies were today appears on the page of nature as if, without
terminated after the ninth grade. the stream of Narmada, all the ghats of the holy
Subhadra Kumari Chauhan married Thakur pilgrimages on the banks of the Narmada have
Laxman Singh after completing her education. She lost their meaning and use," poet Makhanlal
moved to Jabalpur after her marriage. Laxman Chaturvedi wrote on her death. He adds- It seems
Singh was a playwright who always encouraged that she has gone to tell queen of Jhansi that "see,
his wife to pursue her talent. They worked for Firangi has been driven out and the motherland
the Congress as a team. She lived the spirit that has become free."

New India Samachar August 16-31, 2022 37