Madam Bhikaji Cama - Early Life, Role as a Freedom Fighter, Contributions, Legacy, Death And More

Bhikaiji Rustom Cama was a very important person in India's fight for freedom. She became famous for showing the first version of the Indian flag in another country. People started calling her the 'Mother of the Indian Revolution' because of this.

The topic of Bhikaji Cama is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers an important part of History in the General Studies Paper-I syllabus

In this article, we shall discuss all the important details about the life of Bhikaji Cama, including her early life, Role in Freedom movements, etc. The UPSC aspirants can also take the help of Testbook’s UPSC Free Coaching to boost their UPSC Exam preparation!

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Who was Bhikaji Cama?

Bhikaji Cama, also known as Madam Cama, was a strong and courageous woman who played a vital role in India's fight for freedom. She was the first Indian to proudly raise our country's flag on foreign land, showing the world our determination for independence. Madam Cama was not only a brave activist but also a talented writer. She wrote and shared powerful books like 'Bande Mataram' and 'Madan's Talwar,' which inspired many people to join the freedom movement. Her dedication and contributions to our nation are truly priceless, making her an inspiring symbol of women's strength and empowerment.

Study the article Women Freedom Fighters of India here.

Early Life of Bhikaiji Cama

Bhikaiji Cama was born on September 24, 1861. Her dad, Sorabji Framji Patel, was a merchant and a respected member of the Parsi community. She went to a school called Alexandra Girl's English Institution, where she worked hard as a student. On August 3, 1885, she got married to Rustom Cama. After that, she spent most of her time doing social work.

Read the article Captain Laxmi Sahgel.

Bhikaji Cama’s Role in the Freedom Struggle

During her visit to London, Bhikaiji Cama met Shyamji Krishna Varma, an Indian nationalist who gave speeches in Hyde Park. She also met Dadabhai Naoroji, the president of the British committee of the Indian National Congress. 

Afterward, Bhikaiji Cama moved to Paris and started the Paris Indian Society with Munchershah Burjorji Godrej and S.R. Rana. They worked with the Indian diaspora fighting for independence and distributed literature for the freedom movement. One of the banned works they shared was the Bande Mataram, which made its way to India through the French colony at Pondicherry.

In 1907, Bhikaiji Cama spoke in Stuttgart, Germany, where she talked about the terrible effects of British Colonialism in India. She mentioned the constant famines and heavy taxes that destroyed the Indian economy. During this event, she revealed the "Flag of Independence" she designed with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. This flag served as a precursor to India's current national flag.

After William Hutt Curzon Wyllie was assassinated in 1909, Indian nationalists in London faced a crackdown by the authorities. Bhikaji Cama, who was in Paris at that time, was requested by the British to be sent back, but the French refused. Years later, Vladimir Lenin invited her to live in the Soviet Union, but she said no.

Things became more complicated when France and Britain became allies during World War I. The French, wanting to maintain their new alliance, restricted the activities of Indian freedom fighters. Many of them left France, but Bhikaji Cama stayed. In 1915, she was arrested with Rewabhai Rana for trying to encourage Indian soldiers at Bordeaux who were heading to the front. Rana was sent to the Caribbean as punishment, while Bhikaji Cama was sent to Southern France. Because of her poor health, she was allowed to return to her home in Bordeaux, but she had to regularly check in with the local police.

Check out the article Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar here!

Recognition of Bhikaji Cama

Bikhaiji Cama was a brave freedom fighter who cared about helping orphaned girls. She gave most of her belongings to a special school called Bai Avabai Framji Petit Girls' High School, which is also known as the Avabai Petit Orphanage. They created trust in her name to carry on her good work. To remember her, many cities in India have named streets and places after her. 

On January 26, 1962, which is India's 11th Republic Day, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department made a special stamp to honor Bikhaiji Cama. In 1997, the Indian Coast Guard named one of their fast patrol vessels ICGS Bikhaiji Cama as a tribute to her.

Read more about the Formation of the Indian National Congress here.

Death And Exile of Bhikaji Cama

• At the onset of World War I in 1914, France and Britain became allies, prompting most members of the Paris India Society to leave the country, except Cama and Singh Rewabhai Rana.
• Advised by fellow-socialist Jean Longuet, Cama went to Spain with M.P. Tirumal Acharya, while Rana and Cama were briefly arrested in October 1914 for agitating among Punjab Regiment troops.
• Required to leave Marseilles, Cama moved to Rana's wife's house in Arcachon, near Bordeaux.
• In January 1915, the French government deported Rana and his family to Martinique, and Cama was interned in Vichy due to bad health.
• Released in November 1917, she returned to Bordeaux with a weekly reporting obligation to the local police.
• After the war, Cama returned to her home in Paris at 25, Rue de Ponthieu.
• Remaining in exile until 1935, she, paralyzed and gravely ill from a stroke earlier that year, sought permission from the British government to return home.
• Acceding to the requirement to renounce seditionist activities, Cama, accompanied by Sir Cowasji Jehangir, arrived in Bombay in November 1935.
• She passed away at Parsi General Hospital on August 13, 1936, aged 74, nine months after her return.

Fact and Figures about Bhikaji Cama

• Bhikaiji Cama stayed in Europe until 1935.
•  She had a stroke and became paralyzed during this time.
• The stroke made her ask the British government if she could come back to her homeland.
• The British agreed, but only if she promised not to do anything related to independence.
• Bhikaji came back to Bombay in November 1935, accompanied by Sir Cowaji Jehangir who had helped her with the request.
•  At the age of 74, Bhikaji Cama passed away in the Parsi General Hospital on August 13, 1936.

Study the article Slogans of Freedom Fighters here!

Legacy of Bhikaiji Cama

• Bhikaji Cama was the first Indian to raise a flag that was similar to the Indian National Flag we have today.
• The flag she designed became a model for future versions of the Indian national flag.
• Bhikaji Cama was not only a passionate freedom fighter but also a strong supporter of women's rights and the right to vote for all.
• The flag she unfurled in Stuttgart, Germany, was secretly brought into India by other freedom fighters.
• This historic flag can be seen today at the Maratha and Kesari Library in Pune, Maharashtra.

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