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Ramadevi Choudhury
Ramadevi Choudhury
Ramadevi Choudhury
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Ramadevi Choudhury (3 December 1899 – 22 July 1985), also known as Rama Devi, was an Indian freedom fighter and a social reformer.[1] She was called Maa (Mother) by the people of Odisha. The Ramadevi Women's University in Bhubaneswar has been named after her.[2]

Key Information

Family

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She was born in an aristocratic Zamindar Karan family. She was the daughter of Choudhury Gopala Ballabha Das and Basant Kumari Devi and the niece of Utkal Gaurab Madhusudan Das. At the age of 15, she married Gopabandhu Choudhury, then a Deputy Collector.[3]

Role during independence

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Together with her husband, she joined the Indian independence movement in 1921.[3] She was highly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi[4] and took an active part in Non Cooperation Movement. She used to go from village to village to encourage women to join the independence movement.[4] Others who influenced her were Jai Prakash Narayan, Vinoba Bhave and her uncle, Madhusudan Das.[4] In 1921, she had her first meeting with Gandhiji and, together with her husband, joined the Non Cooperation Movement.[4] The same year they joined the Indian National Congress and started wearing khadi.[4] In 1930, she took active part in the Salt Satyagraha movement at Orissa level. She went to Inchudi and Srijang, with other activist like Kiranbala Sen, Maltidevi, Sarala Devi, Pranakrushna Padhiari.[4] She and her colleagues were arrested in November 1930 and placed in different jails by the British. She was arrested several times (in 1921, 1930, 1936, 1942) with other women independence activists like Sarala Devi, Malati Choudhury and others and was sent to jail.[5][6][7][4] She attended the 1931 Karachi session of the Indian National Congress and, at that time, requested leaders to hold the next session in Orissa.[4] In 1932 after her release from Hazaribagh jail, she was actively involved in Harijan welfare. She stated the Asprushyata Nibarana Samiti under instructions from Gandhiji, for the eradication of untouchability. The institution was later renamed the Harijan Sewa Sangha.[4] She was closely involved in Gandhiji's 1932 and 1934 visits to Orissa as well as the visits of, Kasturba, Sardar Patel, Rajendra Prasad, Maulana Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru and others.[4] She started an Ashram at Bari, Orissa which Gandhiji named Sewaghar.[4] During the Quit India Movement of 1942, members of Rama Devi's entire family, including her husband, Gopabandhu Choudhury, were arrested.[4] After the death of Kasturba Gandhi, Gandhji assigned her work as the representative of the Orissa chapter of the Kasturba Trust.[4]

Role after independence of India

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After the Independence of India in 1947, Rama Devi dedicated herself to the cause of Bhoodan and Gramdan movement of Acharya Vinoba Bhave.[8] In 1952 she along with her husband she travelled on foot about 4000 kilometres across the state to propagate the message of giving land and wealth to the landless and poor.[8][9][10][11][12][13] From 1928, Rama Devi stayed in the Alaka Ashram at Jagatsingpur.[14]

She helped set up the Utkal Khadi Mandal and also established a Teachers' Training Centre and Balwadi at Ramchandrapur. In 1950 she set up a Tribal Welfare Centre at Dumburugeda. During the 1951 famine she and Malati worked in famine relief in Koraput. She worked to aid soldiers affected by the Indo-Chinese War of 1962.

During the Emergency she protested by bringing out her own newspaper along with Harekrushna Mahatab and Nilamani Routray.[4] The Gram Sevak Press, was banned by the government and was arrested along with other leaders from Orissa like Nabakrushna Choudhury, Harekrushna Mahatab, Manmohan Chowdhury, Smt. Annapurna Moharana, Jaykrushana Mohanty, and others.[15]

She established a primary school, Shishu Vihar and a cancer hospital at Cuttack.[4]

Honours

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In recognition of her services to the nation, Ramadevi was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj Award[16][17] on 4 November 1981 and the Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris causa) by Utkal University on 16 April 1984.

Memorials

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Rama Devi Women's University at Bhubaneshwar is named in her memory. It is the first women's university in eastern India, established as such since 2015. There is a museum dedicated to her within the university premises.[18] The school – Shishu Vihar – started by her at Cuttack is now named Ramadevi Shishu Vihar.[19]

Death

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She died on 22 July 1985 at the age of 85.[4]


References

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[edit]
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Ramadevi Choudhury

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Ramadevi Choudhury (3 December 1899 – 22 July 1985), also known as Rama Devi, was an Indian independence activist and Gandhian social reformer from Odisha. Born in Cuttack to Gopal Ballabh Das, a deputy magistrate, and Basant Kumari Devi, she married Gopabandhu Choudhury in 1914 at the age of 15. Influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, she joined the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921 alongside her husband, becoming one of the earliest women participants from Odisha in the independence struggle. Choudhury played a pioneering role in mobilizing women for the freedom movement, promoting spinning, and advocating against and discrimination through village tours and constructive programs. She faced multiple imprisonments, including during the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 and 1932, and prominently in the of 1942, enduring harsh conditions that underscored her commitment. Post-independence, she continued social work, focusing on , , and rural development, earning her the affectionate title "Maa" (Mother) among for her selfless service. Her efforts established her as the first prominent female freedom fighter from , bridging political activism with grassroots reform.

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Ramadevi Choudhury was born on 3 December 1899 in Satyabhamapur village, , , British India. Her parents were Gopal Ballav Das, a deputy magistrate, and Basanta Kumari . She hailed from an aristocratic family of the Karan community, which held significant landowning status in the region. Choudhury was the niece of , revered as Utkal Gaurab for his contributions to Odia nationalism and social reform. This familial connection linked her early environment to influential figures in Odisha's intellectual and political circles, though specific details on siblings remain undocumented in primary accounts.

Education and Early Influences

Rama Devi received no formal schooling, as opportunities for girls' education were severely restricted in early 20th-century due to prevailing social norms favoring early marriage and domestic roles for women from elite families. Instead, she was educated privately at home, where her mother, Basanta Kumari Devi, exerted a profound influence by instilling moral and ethical values that emphasized duty, resilience, and service to others. Her family's background provided exposure to broader intellectual currents; as the niece of —known as Utkal Gaurav for his advocacy of Odia identity, legal reforms, and nascent women's emancipation—she absorbed early nationalist sentiments and critiques of colonial rule indirectly through familial discussions. This environment, marked by relative privilege yet constrained by gender expectations, fostered her latent commitment to , later channeled into . Further shaping her worldview were interactions with paternal relatives, including her father's elder brother, Govind Ballav Das, a whose legal training and professional ethos highlighted the transformative potential of and principled action, though her own access remained informal and limited. These influences, rooted in personal mentorship rather than institutional learning, primed her for a life of self-directed purpose amid evolving political tides.

Marriage and Personal Life

Ramadevi Choudhury married Gopabandhu Choudhury, son of Gokulananda Choudhury from Kharas near , on 11 November 1914 at the age of 15. Gopabandhu, then a deputy collector, later participated alongside her in the independence movement after both were inspired by . The marriage produced two children: son Manmohan and daughter , born on 3 November 1917. , who later became Annapurna Maharana, followed her parents into activism during the independence struggle. Ramadevi's mother-in-law enforced strict domestic norms, yet she resisted confinement to household duties, pursuing education and public engagement despite familial pressures. The family's commitment to non-violence extended to personal life, with Gopabandhu supporting her Gandhian principles even as arrests affected them collectively during the 1942 .

Role in Indian Independence Movement

Entry into Politics and Non-Cooperation Movement

Rama Devi Choudhury's entry into politics occurred in 1921, when she and her husband, Gopabandhu Choudhury, met and subsequently joined the Non-Cooperation Movement, a nationwide campaign launched by Gandhi to resist British rule through boycott of government institutions, courts, schools, and foreign goods. That same year, the couple affiliated with the , marking their formal commitment to organized nationalist activities; Gopabandhu resigned from his government position to participate fully. In the Non-Cooperation Movement, Choudhury focused on grassroots mobilization, particularly among women in rural , traveling village to village to propagate Gandhi's ideals of , spinning, and rejection of British authority. Her efforts emphasized empowering women to abandon foreign cloth and participate in constructive programs like hand-spinning, aligning with the movement's dual strategy of political boycott and social reform. This phase represented her initial shift from domestic life to public activism, driven by Gandhi's influence rather than prior political affiliations. Though the movement was suspended in 1922 following the , Choudhury's involvement established her as one of Odisha's early female leaders in the independence struggle, setting the foundation for her sustained role in subsequent satyagrahas. No arrests were recorded for her during this period, unlike later campaigns, reflecting the movement's emphasis on non-violent mass participation over direct confrontation.

Participation in Salt Satyagraha and Civil Disobedience

Ramadevi Choudhury played a pivotal role in the Salt Satyagraha within Odisha as part of the broader Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930 to protest the British salt monopoly. She organized and led satyagraha activities across the region, mobilizing women to violate salt laws by manufacturing and distributing salt illegally. On April 20, 1930, she spearheaded the Inchudi Salt Satyagraha, where over 1,500 women participated in defying the salt tax, marking a significant mobilization of rural women in coastal Odisha. Her leadership extended to encouraging door-to-door campaigns in villages to enlist female participation, overcoming familial resistance and fostering widespread involvement in the nonviolent protest. Choudhury's efforts in involved leading hundreds of village women in salt law violations, contributing to the movement's penetration into local communities. She also engaged in picketing foreign cloth and liquor shops in , amplifying the economic aspects of the campaign. For her activities, Choudhury faced multiple arrests, enduring three prison terms between 1930 and 1932, including one in 1930 specifically for her role in the Salt Satyagraha. These incarcerations underscored her commitment, as she continued to inspire satyagrahis even after release, spreading the movement's message undeterred. Her imprisonment highlighted the British response to women's growing assertiveness in the chapter of the Civil Disobedience Movement, which allowed limited salt production for domestic use in coastal areas as a concession.

Involvement in Quit India Movement

Rama Devi Choudhury actively participated in the , which launched on August 8, 1942, calling for the immediate end of British rule in . In , her involvement included mobilizing support through her established networks in social reform and Gandhian activities, leveraging her influence in areas like where she had founded an . Following the movement's initiation, Choudhury was arrested on August 9, 1942, alongside her husband Gopabandhu Choudhury and other prominent leaders such as Malati Devi. The arrests extended to her entire family, reflecting the British authorities' targeted suppression of key figures in the region. News of her detention reached and surrounding areas by August 20, 1942, prompting local responses influenced by her prior community work. She endured a two-year during the movement's crackdown, returning in 1944 to find her Sevaghar in disarray but resuming her advocacy for complete . This period underscored her commitment to non-violent resistance, as she had previously served jail terms in earlier satyagrahas, yet persisted amid familial and personal hardships.

Post-Independence Contributions

Social Reforms and Advocacy

Following India's independence in 1947, Ramadevi Choudhury resigned her membership in the Indian National Congress alongside her husband Gopabandhu Choudhury and dedicated herself to the Sarvodaya movement, emphasizing Gandhi's constructive programmes for societal upliftment. She focused on the welfare of women, Harijans (Dalits), and tribal communities through initiatives promoting Khadi production, basic education, anti-untouchability efforts, and vocational training in areas such as dairy farming, agriculture, tanning, and medicine distribution. Choudhury established multiple ashrams, including at , , and , specifically for training women workers in these constructive activities. She also founded a (nursery school) in and provided teacher training through the Utkal Khadi Mandal, aiming to enhance and female literacy in rural . Additionally, at Sebaghar Ashram in —a modest thatched structure she co-founded with her husband—these programmes advanced women's awakening and alongside economic self-reliance for marginalized groups. In alignment with broader Gandhian advocacy, Choudhury actively participated in the Bhoodan and Gramdan movements led by Acharya Vinoba Bhave, contributing to land redistribution from willing donors to landless peasants and promoting village-level self-governance starting in the early 1950s. She served as Odisha's representative for the Kasturba Trust, established in memory of Kasturba Gandhi, to further women's empowerment through education and social services. Her efforts earned her the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for outstanding service to women and children.

Educational and Health Initiatives

Following India's independence, Ramadevi Choudhury focused on grassroots educational efforts to promote and skill development among women and rural populations. In 1950, she established a Teachers' Centre and a nursery school in Ramchandrapur, providing and professional training for educators to support village-level schooling. She also founded Shishu Vihar, a in specifically for underprivileged children, which was later renamed Ramadevi Shishu Vihar to honor her foundational role in making basic education accessible to the poor. Choudhury's health initiatives emphasized specialized care for underserved conditions, particularly cancer, amid limited medical infrastructure in post-independence . She established a cancer hospital in to offer treatment options for patients facing a with high mortality and few dedicated facilities at the time. In 1978, at the age of 79, she spearheaded the creation of a Cancer Detection Centre in the same city, prioritizing preventive screening and early intervention to reduce burden through community outreach. These efforts aligned with her broader advocacy for and social welfare, drawing on her Gandhian ethos of service without reliance on state funding.

Recognition and Legacy

Honours and Awards

In recognition of her contributions to social service, particularly in the welfare of women and children, Ramadevi Choudhury received the Award for Development and Welfare of Women and Children on 4 November 1981. The award, presented by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation, acknowledged her lifelong dedication to Gandhian principles of constructive following India's independence. Utkal University conferred upon her an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil. Honoris Causa) for her role in the freedom struggle and subsequent advocacy for social reforms. Despite her prominence, Choudhury reportedly declined numerous other awards, rewards, and remunerations throughout her life, consistent with her commitment to selfless service over personal acclaim.

Memorials and Commemorations

in , , stands as the foremost institution named in honor of Ramadevi Choudhury, recognizing her pioneering role in and social reform; originally established as a in 1964, it was elevated to university status in 2015. The university features the Maa Rama Devi Chair, dedicated to scholarly research and events preserving her legacy through field studies and publications on her life and contributions. Choudhury founded a residential home for orphaned and abandoned children in , which continues to operate as a testament to her post-independence humanitarian work among the impoverished and displaced..pdf) Her legacy is annually commemorated in on her birth date of December 3, 1899, and death date of July 22, 1985, with public tributes, seminars, and homage events led by state officials and , often invoking her title "Maa Rama Devi" for her maternal advocacy for the underprivileged. Local memorials to freedom fighters, including Choudhury, exist in districts such as , though some require restoration to maintain historical awareness.

References

  1. https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2019/August/engpdf/57-61.pdf
  2. https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2011/Apr/engpdf/42-44.pdf
  3. https://drvpacharya.com/unsung-heroine-of-freedom-movement-in-india-maa-ramadevi/
  4. https://chakrafoundation.org/ramadevi-choudhury/
  5. https://www.streeshakti.com/bookR.aspx?author=2
  6. https://indianliberals.in/content/a-resilient-soul-ramadevi-chowdhuri/
  7. https://www.indianetzone.com/rama_devi_chowdhury
  8. https://www.imeuswe.in/famous-families/Ramadevi-Choudhury
  9. https://www.iopb.res.in/~maharana/Annapurna-Biography.pdf
  10. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Ramadevi_Choudhury
  11. https://kids.kiddle.co/Ramadevi_Choudhury
  12. https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/orissareview/April2006/engpdf/freedom_struggle_%2520and%2520rama%2520devi_.pdf
  13. https://www.inuth.com/india/women-freedom-fighters-of-india/when-maa-rama-devi-marched-barefoot-across-odisha-to-spread-gandhis-ideals/
  14. https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/state-editions/rama-devi-never-shied-away-from-fighting-the-mighty.html
  15. https://www.jamnalalbajajawards.org/Media/pdf/JBA_1981_Bio_Rama_Choudhury%281%29.pdf
  16. https://discoverbbsr.com/women-freedom-fighters-odisha/
  17. https://www.facebook.com/VPOI13/posts/smtrama-devi-choudhury-the-freedom-fighter-who-led-the-inchudi-salt-satyagrah-in/798356830732232/
  18. http://indianculture.gov.in/node/2822358
  19. https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/orissareview/2008/August-2008/engpdf/24-25.pdf
  20. https://oaji.net/pdf.html?n=2017/488-1513080257.pdf
  21. https://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2014/August/engpdf/40-42.pdf
  22. https://www.jamnalalbajajfoundation.org/Media/pdf/JBA_1981_Bio_Rama_Choudhuri.pdf
  23. https://www.jamnalalbajajawards.org/awards/archives/1981/women-and-child-welfare/ramadevi-chaudhuri
  24. https://rdwu.ac.in/
  25. https://orissadiary.com/memorials-of-freedom-fighters-need-to-be-restored-and-revamped-to-indoctrinate-future-generations-about-the-history-of-freedom-struggles-in-rayagada/
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