Famous Personalities Famous Personalities of India: Their Nicknames & Contributions – UPSC Notes 2025of India: Thier Nicknames & Contributions
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UPSC Component |
Relevance |
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Prelims |
History – Modern India, Static GK, Polity, Culture |
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GS Paper I |
Modern Indian history, Freedom Struggle, Social reformers |
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Essay Paper |
Nation-building, Leadership in Indian Democracy |
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Interview |
Contextual awareness, Value-based discussions |
India is an enormous nation and has gone through some severe struggles for freedom, which, however, were solved with the support of our great national contributors. Famous personalities of India, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, and numerous other personalities have played a significant role in India. Great personalities of India such as Vinoba Bhave and Dr. Rajendra Prasad have contributed to politics and various other movements, which highly aided India in the Freedom Struggle. Famous people such as Rabindranath Tagore, Siddhartha Gautama, etc, brought in literature and philosophical revolution for the country. Famous Personalities such as P.T. Usha and Sachin Tendulkar have made a huge contribution to Indian Sports.
This article on famous persons and their nicknames is one of the most important topics for the UPSC exam. It covers a significant part of the History subject in the General Studies Paper-1 syllabus.
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Introduction
India's journey from a civilisation to a sovereign nation has been shaped by visionaries, reformers, and revolutionaries. These iconic figures are often remembered not just by their names but by their popular nicknames, which symbolise their values, struggles, or impact. For instance, Bapu embodies Gandhiji's fatherly guidance, while Iron Man of India reflects Sardar Patel’s unwavering determination.
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List of Famous Indian Personalities and Their Contributions
Notable Personalities, out of respect and admiration, are often given nicknames by the public. Some of these names are due to their remarkable achievements, while others are expressions of endearment. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi is fondly referred to as "Bapu" and is also hailed as the Father of the Nation.
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List of Famous Personalities of and Their Nicknames |
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Name of Famous Indian Personality |
Nickname |
Important Contribution |
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Abdul Ghaffar Khan |
Badshah Khan / Frontier Gandhi |
A prominent leader in the Indian freedom struggle from NWFP. He was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and advocated non-violent civil disobedience. |
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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi |
Bapu / Father of Nation (India) / Gandhiji / Saint of Sabarmati / Mahatma |
He is one of the inspiring personalities of India. The foremost leader of the Indian independence movement. He led non-violent civil disobedience campaigns against British rule, inspiring people with his principles of truth and non-violence. |
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Vallabh Bhai Patel |
Iron Man of India |
He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and the first Home Minister of India. |
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Lokmanya |
He advocated self-rule and played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence. |
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Vinoba Bhave |
Acharya |
He is one of the inspiring personalities of India. A disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, he was a social reformer and freedom fighter. He was known for his Bhoodan Movement, encouraging land donations to the landless. |
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Dadabhai Naoroji |
Grand Old Man of India |
One of the earliest leaders of the Indian freedom struggle. He was a member of the British Parliament and worked towards Indian independence. |
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Valmiki |
Adi Kavi |
An ancient sage and poet, traditionally recognized as the author of the epic Ramayana. |
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Dr. Rajendra Prasad |
Desh Ratna, Ajatshatru |
The first President of independent India. A scholar, lawyer, and freedom fighter, he played a crucial role in shaping the nation's early years. |
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Indira Gandhi |
Iron Lady of India / Priyadarshini |
He is one of the inspiring personalities of India. The first woman Prime Minister of India, serving from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She played a significant role in Indian politics. |
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Jainul Abdin |
Akbar of Kashmir |
A political leader from Jammu and Kashmir, he was known for his efforts towards communal harmony and social justice in the region. |
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T Prakasam |
Andhra Kesari |
A freedom fighter and political leader from Andhra Pradesh. He was known for his commitment to social justice and played a vital role in the state's politics. |
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C N Annadurai |
Anna |
A prominent leader in Tamil Nadu, he was a key figure in the Dravidian movement. He became the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after it was formed. |
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Jagjivan Ram |
Babuji |
A prominent Dalit leader and freedom fighter, he was an important political figure in post-independence India. He served as a Cabinet Minister for several years. |
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Jayaprakash Narayan |
J P / Loknayak |
Popularly known as JP, he was a social reformer and political leader who played a significant role in India's struggle against the Emergency in the 1970s. |
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C R Das (Chitta Ranjan Das) |
Desabandhu |
A freedom fighter and lawyer, he was a prominent leader in Bengal. He was one of the founders of the Swaraj Party and worked towards India's independence. |
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Ashutosh Mukherji |
Bengal Kesari |
He is one of the inspiring personalities of India. A renowned educationist and political leader from Bengal. He was one of the founders of Calcutta University and a key figure in the Swadeshi Movement. |
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Bipin Chandrapal & Saurav Ganguli |
Bengal Tiger |
Bipin Chandra Pal and Saurav Ganguli were both prominent leaders from Bengal, known for their contributions to India's freedom struggle and cultural development. |
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Dr. Srikrishna Singh |
Bihar Kesri |
A freedom fighter and political leader from Bihar, he was a key figure in the Bhoodan Movement, promoting land reforms and rural development in the state. |
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Dr. Anurag Narayan Singh |
Bihar Vibhuti |
A renowned educationist and social reformer from Bihar. |
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Chanakya |
Indian Machiavelli / Machiavelli of India |
An ancient Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, and royal advisor. He played a vital role in the establishment of the Maurya Empire and wrote the Arthashastra. |
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Biswa Kavi / Gurudev / Kaviguru |
A prolific poet, writer, philosopher, and the first non-European Nobel laureate. He composed the national anthems of India and Bangladesh and founded Visva-Bharati University. |
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Siddhartha Gautama |
Buddha |
The founder of Buddhism and a spiritual leader. He is known for his teachings on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, guiding followers to attain enlightenment. |
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C Rajagopalachari |
Rajaji or C R |
A freedom fighter, politician, and statesman. He was the last Governor-General of independent India and the first Indian to hold the position. He also served as Chief Minister of Madras. |
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Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Ganghadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal |
Lal, Bal, Pal |
Known as the "Lal, Bal, Pal" trio, they were prominent leaders in the Swadeshi Movement and played a vital role in India's freedom struggle. |
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C F Andrews |
Deenabandhu |
A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and an ardent supporter of Indian independence. He was actively involved in social and humanitarian causes. |
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Lata Mangeshkar |
Swar Kokila |
A legendary playback singer and cultural icon in India. |
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Jawaharlal Nehru |
Panditji / Chacha |
The first Prime Minister of India and a central figure in the country's struggle for independence. |
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Lala Lajpat Rai |
Panjab Kesari |
A prominent leader in the Indian freedom movement, especially in Punjab. He actively participated in protests against British policies and advocated for the rights of Indians. |
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Yatindra Mohan Sengupta |
Deshpriya |
A nationalist leader from Bengal, he played a significant role in India's struggle for independence. He was a staunch advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity and social reform. |
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Ravi Sankar Maharaj |
Father of Gujarat |
A prominent freedom fighter and political leader from Gujarat. He was involved in various social and political activities to promote the welfare of the people. |
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Nightingale of India |
A prominent poet and political activist. She was the first woman President of the Indian National Congress and the first woman to become the Governor of an Indian state. |
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Dhundiraj Govind Phalke |
Grandfather of Indian Films |
The pioneer of Indian cinema and popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke. He made India's first full-length feature film, "Raja Harishchandra," in 1913, sparking the Indian film industry. |
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Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
Banga Bandhu |
A prominent leader and the founding leader of Bangladesh. He played a crucial role in Bangladesh's liberation from Pakistan and served as the country's first President and later as Prime Minister. |
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M S Gohlwalkar |
Guruji |
A prominent leader and the second Sarsanghchalak (Supreme Leader) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). |
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Madan Mohan Malaviya |
Mahamana / Prince of Beggers |
A prominent educationist, lawyer, and independence activist. |
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Lal Bahadur Shastri |
Man of Peace |
The second Prime Minister of India. He led the country during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and coined the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" to boost the morale of soldiers and farmers. |
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Morning Star of India Renaissance |
A social reformer and a key figure in the Bengal Renaissance. He founded the Brahmo Samaj, advocating for social reforms like widow remarriage and women's rights. |
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Netaji / Patriot of Patriots |
A prominent freedom fighter and a leader of the Indian National Congress. He formed the Indian National Army (INA) and played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence. |
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Karpuri Thakur |
Jana Nayak |
A political leader and social activist from Bihar. He worked for the upliftment of the backward classes and fought against social injustices prevalent in his time. |
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Chaudhury Devi Lal |
Tau |
A prominent leader from Haryana, he served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India and held various ministerial positions in the central government. |
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Sayyed Bandhu |
King Maker of Indian History |
A prominent Indian freedom fighter and political leader from Bihar. |
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K.V. Puttappa |
Kuvempu |
A renowned Kannada writer, poet, and playwright. He was the first writer to receive the Jnanpith Award for his outstanding contribution to Indian literature in the Kannada language. |
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Mother Teresa |
Saint of the Gutters / Mother |
A Roman Catholic nun and missionary, she founded the Missionaries of Charity to care for "the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted." |
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Sreebuddha |
Light of Asia |
A title given to Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Gautama Buddha. He was a spiritual leader and the founder of Buddhism, spreading his teachings of peace and enlightenment. |
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Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah |
Lion of Kashmir |
A prominent political leader and the first Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He played a key role in the state's politics and advocated for its autonomy and self-governance. |
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Bhagat Singh |
Sahid-e-Azam / Prince of Martyrs |
A revolutionary freedom fighter known for his brave actions against British rule. |
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Kalidasa |
Shakespeare of India |
An ancient Indian poet, playwright, and philosopher, often regarded as one of the greatest Sanskrit poets. |
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Nagarjuna |
Indian Einstein |
An ancient Indian philosopher and mathematician who made significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy during the Gupta Empire. |
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Dr. Srikrishna Singh |
Bihar Kesri |
A freedom fighter and political leader from Bihar. |
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Mohammad Ali Jinnah |
Qaid-i-Azam |
A prominent leader and the founder of Pakistan. He was a key figure in the All-India Muslim League. |
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Samudragupta |
Napoleon of India |
A powerful ruler of the Gupta Empire, known for his military conquests and patronage of art and culture. |
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Babur |
Prince of Autobiography |
The founder of the Mughal Empire in India. He was a skilled military leader and a prolific writer, known for his autobiography, "Baburnama," which provides insights into his life and conquests. |
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Muhammad bin Tughlaq |
Wise Fool King |
A ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty in Delhi. He was known for his intelligence and administrative reforms but faced challenges due to his ambitious policies, leading to a decline in his reign. |
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Sayyed Bandhu |
Kingmaker of Indian History |
A prominent Indian freedom fighter and political leader from Bihar. He was actively involved in the Indian National Congress and played a significant role in Bihar politics. |
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Shah Jahan |
Prince of Builders |
The fifth Mughal Emperor of India, best known for commissioning the Taj Mahal, a world-renowned monument of love. |
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Purushottam Das Tandon |
Rajarshee |
A freedom fighter and a key figure in the Indian independence movement. |
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Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah |
Sher-e-Kashmir / Lion of Kashmir |
A prominent political leader and the founding leader of Jammu and Kashmir. |
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Major General Rajinder Singh |
Sparrow |
A prominent military leader from Punjab who served in the Indian Army during World War II and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. |
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Sarat Chandra Chattopadhay |
Kathasilpi |
A renowned Bengali novelist and a prominent figure in Indian literature. |
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Dayanand Saraswati |
Martin Luther of India |
An influential Hindu reformer and the founder of Arya Samaj. |
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Tipu Sultan |
Tiger of Mysore / Mysore Tiger |
The ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore and a valiant warrior. He fought against British forces in several wars and is remembered for his resistance against colonial rule. |
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Amir Khushro |
Tota-e-Hind / Parrot of India |
An iconic Sufi musician, poet, and scholar in medieval India. He is credited with the invention of the musical instrument Sitar and is regarded as the "father of Qawwali." |
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Chandra Sekhar |
Young Turk |
An Indian politician and a former Prime Minister of India. |
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Sankaracharya |
Sage of Kanchi |
An ancient Indian philosopher and theologian who founded the Advaita Vedanta school of thought. |
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Bamkim Chandra Chattopadhay |
Sahitya Samrat |
A Bengali writer and novelist known for his literary works that laid the foundation for Bengali prose literature. |
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Maharaja Kumar of Vizianagara |
Vizzy |
A noted cricketer and the last Maharaja of Vizianagaram. He was one of India's leading cricket players in the pre-independence era and represented the country in international matches. |
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Lord Rippon |
Father of the Local Self Government |
The Viceroy of India who introduced significant reforms, including local self-government, to empower Indians in managing their local affairs. |
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Salim Ali |
Bird Man of India |
An eminent ornithologist known for his research on Indian birds. He was also a prominent naturalist and conservationist, and his work greatly contributed to the understanding and conservation of India's avian biodiversity. |
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Subject-wise Prelims Previous Year Questions |
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Famous Nicknames in Science, Culture & Post-Independence Era
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam – “Missile Man of India”
- Developed India’s missile programs (AGNI, PRITHVI).
- Key contributor to Pokhran-II nuclear tests.
- Known for inspiring youth and served as 11th President of India.
- UPSC Relevance: Science and Tech, Ethics, Essay.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee – “Ajatshatru”
- Known for having no enemies in politics.
- Orator, statesman, and a poet.
- Led India during Kargil War and major economic reforms.
- UPSC Relevance: Contemporary politics – GS II, Essay, Interview.
Others Worth Remembering
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Name |
Nickname |
Area |
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Lala Lajpat Rai |
Punjab Kesari |
Swadeshi Movement |
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Rabindranath Tagore |
Gurudev |
Cultural nationalism |
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Bhagat Singh |
Shaheed-e-Azam |
Revolutionary freedom fighter |
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Gopal Krishna Gokhale |
Political Guru of Gandhi |
Moderate Phase of INC |
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Indira Gandhi |
Iron Lady of India |
National Emergency, 1971 war |
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Rani Lakshmibai |
Jhansi Ki Rani |
1857 Rebellion |
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M.S. Subbulakshmi |
Queen of Carnatic Music |
Indian classical music |
Previous UPSC Questions (Direct and Indirect)
Prelims 2020:
Q: Who was called the "Grand Old Man of India"?
A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B. Dadabhai Naoroji ✅
C. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
D. Subhas Chandra Bose
Mains GS I 2018:
“Sardar Patel’s contribution to Indian integration remains unmatched.” Discuss.
Essay 2019:
“Wisdom lies in knowing what to overlook.” (Tagore’s philosophy)
Conclusion
India’s history is not just a chronology of events but a biography of icons. These nicknames reflect how people perceive leadership—whether through affection (Chacha Nehru), reverence (Gurudev), or admiration (Iron Man). For UPSC aspirants, these personalities offer lessons in courage, ethics, and nation-building.
Their legacy lives not just in textbooks but in constitutional values, policy decisions, and India’s moral compass. Mastering their contributions helps candidates excel in Prelims, deepen answers in Mains, and develop insight for the Interview.
This was a detailed article about the list of famous personalities of India, along with their nicknames, professions, and significant contributions. For more such informative articles, do check out Testbook App.
