Aruna Asaf Ali
Born:
Died:
1909
1996
State:
Uttar Pradesh
Summary:
Aruna Asaf Ali was a prominent freedom fighter who emerged as a symbol of courage during the Quit India Movement. She is best remembered for hoisting the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Bombay in 1942, defying British authority and inspiring mass resistance.
Biography:
Aruna Asaf Ali was born in 1909 in Kalka, then part of the Punjab region under British India, and was educated in Nainital and Lahore. She was drawn into the national movement after her marriage to Asaf Ali, a senior Congress leader, which strengthened her commitment to India’s freedom struggle.
During the Quit India Movement of 1942, Aruna Asaf Ali went underground to evade arrest and continued to organize resistance against British rule. Her act of hoisting the national flag in Bombay became an iconic moment, earning her the title “Grand Old Lady of the Independence Movement” in later years.
After independence, she remained active in public life, working for social justice, civil liberties, and democratic values. Aruna Asaf Ali passed away in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of fearless leadership and unwavering dedication to India’s freedom and democratic ideals.
Key Movements:
- Quit India Movement (1942)
- Underground resistance against British rule
- Hoisting of Congress flag at Gowalia Tank Maidan
- Participation in civil disobedience campaigns