Rani Gaidinliu led the Heraka Movement against British rule in Northeast India, combining cultural revival with political resistance and inspiring tribal participation in India’s freedom struggle.

BulletsIn:

• Born in 1915 in Manipur, joined Heraka Movement at age 13 under leadership of Haipou Jadonang to resist British policies and preserve indigenous culture
• After execution of Jadonang in 1931, she took leadership and transformed movement into political resistance against British rule in tribal regions
• Heraka Movement aimed to revive indigenous religion, oppose forced labour, high taxes and spread of external religious influence
• She encouraged tribal communities to refuse taxes and boycott British goods, weakening colonial administration in Northeast India
• Arrested in 1932 at age 16 and sentenced to life imprisonment, spent about 14 years in jail before release in 1947
• Jawaharlal Nehru called her “Daughter of the Hills” and gave title “Rani” in recognition of her leadership
• Honoured with Padma Bhushan and other awards, remembered as symbol of tribal resistance, cultural identity and women leadership in freedom struggle