She was just 21 and led an armed attack on the British Raj

In the early 1930s, when India’s freedom movement was largely dominated by men, a 21-year-old schoolteacher from Chittagong, Pritilata Waddedar, picked up arms against the British Raj. Educated, determined, and deeply patriotic, she became one of the first Indian women to lead an armed attack against colonial authority.

On September 23, 1932, Pritilata led a group of revolutionaries to attack the Pahartali European Club, a symbol of British racial arrogance that infamously bore the sign: “Dogs and Indians Not Allowed.” The assault was meant to send a message that Indians would no longer accept humiliation in their own land. During the mission, Pritilata was wounded. To avoid capture and torture, she swallowed a vial of cyanide choosing martyrdom over surrender. She was only 21 years old