The Untold Story of Madam Bhikaiji Cama

" This is a flag of Indian Independence! Behold, it is born! It's been made by the blood of  young Indians who sacrificed their lives."

India witnessed its 75th Independence Day on 15th August. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the world through the historic Red Fort. The country that is whole again remembers and pays respect to our leaders and freedom fighters who played their part in freeing the country from British rule. 

One such fiery lady who hoisted the first version of the Indian national flag on foreign soil, that is, a tricolor flag of green, saffron, and red stripes at the International Socialist Congress held at Stuttgart, Germany, in 1907 was none other than Bhikaiji Cama. While remembering many prominent personalities of our country, most of them often go overlooked, so in this article, we will discuss one such personality, Madam Bhikaji Cama. 

Who was Bhikaiji Cama?

Bhikaiji Cama was born in a wealthy Parsi family in Bombay on 24 September 1861. She completed her education from Higher secondary at Alexander Girl Education Institution. It was considered the best women's school in the country then. Among nine brothers and sisters, she was the brightest and learned several languages in her childhood. She married a wealthy, young Parsi man, Rustom. However, her husband’s family was always praised by the  Britishers and had very little interest in public life. Slowly while following the freedom movement, Madam Cama grew conscious about the atrocities done by Britishers in the country due to which differences arose with her husband Rustom Cama, She died on  13 August 1936, Bombay) Now Known as Mumbai.

Her Role when you look at the Freedom Struggle

During her trip to London, Bhikaiji Cama met Shyamji Krishna Varma, an Indian nationalist recognized for his speeches in Hyde Park. She met Dadabhai Naoroji. The president and the British committee associated with the Indian National Congress (founded on December 28, 1885). 

Bhikaiji Cama relocated to Paris, where she founded the Paris Indian Society. Munchershah Burjorji Godrej and S.R. Rana were the co-founders of the society. Joining hands with all the diaspora that is Indian for independence, she wrote and distributed literature for the freedom movement. One of many works she distributed included copies of the Vande Mataram has been banned because of the British government in India. The literature she created found its option to India through the French Pondicherry colony.

Bhikaiji Cama spoke about the devastating after-effects of British Colonialism in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1907. These effects included constant famine and crippling taxes, which had ripped the Indian economy to shreds. It had been in this event when she unfurled the “Flag of Independence.” After the assassination of William Hutt Curzon Wyllie in 1909, the authorities in London began cracking down on Indian nationalists living there. Bhikaji Cama was in Paris during that time. Vladimir Lenin reportedly invited her to call home during the Soviet Union years later, but she declined.

The specific situation started to take a complicated turn when France and Britain became allies upon the outbreak of World War I. The French, trying to prevent something that might spoil this new alliance, restricted those activities associated with Indian freedom fighters. Many left France, while Bhikaiji Cama stayed on. She was arrested alongside Rewabhai Rana while endeavoring to incite Indian troops at Bordeaux to their solution to the front. Rana was exiled into the Caribbean, while Bikhaiji Cama was delivered to Southern France in 1915. Because of her failing health, she was permitted to return to her residence at Bordeaux, provided she reported weekly to the local police station.

Legacy of Bhikaji Cama

The flag she unfurled was co-designed by Cama and Shyamji Krishna Varma and would later serve as among the templates from where the existing national flag of India was created. The top green stripe had eight blooming lotuses representing pre-independence India’s eight provinces on the flag. ‘Vande Mataram‘ was written over the saffron central in Hindi. In the bottom red stripe, a half moon was on the right while the rising sun regarding the left, indicating the Hindu and Muslim faith.  

After Stuttgart, Bhikaji went to the United States, where she traveled a lot, informing Americans about India’s struggle for independence. She also fought for women's cause and often stressed women's role in building a nation. Speaking at the National Conference at Cairo, Egypt, in 1910.

Cama remained in exile in Europe till 1935, when she fell gravely ill and paralysed by a stroke that she had suffered earlier she filed a  petition to the British government to be permitted to return home. Knowing she was granted permission to return to India after 33 long years, she was not in a condition to participating in the freedom struggle. In November 1935, 74 years old Madam Bhikaiji Cama finally returned to Mumbai, but would not live for long. Having fulfilled her desire to see her motherland again, she breathed her last nine months on 13 August 1936 she died. She had Gifted most of her personal assets to the Avabai Petit Orphanage for females.

The world had lost a fearless leader. On 26 January 1962, India’s 11th Republic Day, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a commemorative stamp in her honor. In 1997, the Indian Coast Guard also commissioned a Priyadarshini-class patrol that is fast named the ICGS Bhikaji Cama, Madam Bhikaji Cama’s conviction, courage, and integrity brought the message of Indian freedom battle to the entire world with a force and clarity it had never had before. The fiery lady had once said. 

‘Do not forget the significant role women play in building a nation.’

Conclusion

It was in London that Bhikaji Cama met Dadabhai Naoroji and, inspired by his ideals, plunged into the freedom movement. She began to publish booklets for the Indian community in England, propagating the reason for Swaraj. She gave speeches on the harmful effects of British rule and urged Americans to offer the reason for India’s freedom. Madam Bhikaiji Cama became the person who first hosted the Indian flag in a foreign land on 22 August 1907. She unfurled the flag during the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, she appealed for autonomy and equality through the British who had bought out the Indian subcontinent.