Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How did Sarojini Naidu contribute to the Indian Independence Movement?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Indian Independence Movement
In August 1947 British rule ended on the Indian subcontinent.
Sarojini Naidu was a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement, known for her dedication to both nationalist and feminist causes. She believed that the struggle for women’s liberation was inseparable from the broader nationalist movement.1
Her contributions included:
- Political Leadership: In 1925, she became the first Indian woman to serve as president of the Indian National Congress.12
- Civil Disobedience: Naidu was a key participant in the Salt Satyagraha. Notably, on May 21, 1930, she led a peaceful march to the Dharasana saltworks, where protesters faced brutal police violence. Her anti-British activism, which also included the Quit India Movement, resulted in multiple prison sentences.21
- Diplomacy: She accompanied Mahatma Gandhi to the second session of the Round Table Conference in London in 1931 and lectured internationally on the Indian nationalist movement.12
- Advocacy: She championed female suffrage and led delegations to secure voting rights for women, which contributed to the eventual adoption of universal suffrage in independent India.1