On August 22, 1907, Bhikaiji Rustom Cama unfurled the first version of the Indian national flag—a tricolor of green, saffron, and red stripes-at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany.
This was one of her many contributions to the freedom struggle. Bhikaji was indomitable and fearless and waged a relentless battle for independence.
Life-altering meeting
Born into an affluent Parsi family in Bombay, Bhikaiji Cama was a staunch nationalist from a very young age.
In 1896, the bubonic plague broke out in the Bombay Presidency. Being the humanitarian that she was, Bhikaiji jumped at the opportunity to help plague victims. And in the process, she ended up catching the disease. She recovered from the plague, but partially. She left for Europe to seek advanced treatment.
In London, she got in touch with Dadabhai Naoroji. Under his guidance, she met visionaries and nationalists that later shaped her voice for India’s freedom.
During this period, the Britishers laid out a condition against her request to go back to India. She was asked not to engage in nationalist activities.
Bhikaiji denied it outright, leading to her exile from India. But she continued to work for the Indian National Congress even from a foreign land. She aided the revolutionaries in every capacity– be it money, material, or ideas.
Paris Indian Society
“March forward! We are for India. India is for Indians!”
Bhikaiji Cama relocated to Paris, where she co-founded the Paris Indian Society with Singh Rewabhai Rana and Munchershah Burjorji Godrej.
While in Paris, she also became the publisher of “Vande Mataram” a revolutionary magazine.
Flag of Indian Independence
In 1905, Madame Cama, along with Shyamji Krishna Varma, designed a version of the Indian National flag, which later served as one of the templates for our current national tricolor. Coined as the Flag of Indian Independence, this was the flag that she hoisted overseas.
“Where is the other half of Egypt? I see only men who represent half the country! Where are the mothers? Where are the sisters? You must not forget that the hands that rock cradles also build persons”, said Madam Bhikaiji Cama at the National Conference of 1910 in Cairo, Egypt.
Madam Bhikaiji Cama was more than a freedom fighter. She was also an ardent advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. And, rightfully one of the feistiest and bold Indian women, who has a glorious chapter in India’s struggle for independence.
Watch this space throughout International Women’s Month to know more about some strong and impactful women who shaped India’s history!
