At 73, Matangini Hazra fell to British bullets, refusing to let Tiranga fall

Matangini Hazra, a devoted Gandhian from Tamluk, Bengal, made the ultimate sacrifice of her life at the age of 73 on September 29, 1942, when she was shot by British forces while leading a march for the Quit India Movement.

India has many stories of freedom fighters who were hanged at a very early age. However, there are very few who died at an older age, and some of these stories have faded over time, leaving behind names that not everyone remembers. One such example is Matangini Hazra. She was 73 when she was shot down by British bullets while leading a protest in 1942 in Tamluk, Bengal. With the Indian flag held high in her hands, Matangini continued to march forward, chanting "Vande Mataram." The British soldiers fired at her, but she did not stop. Even after being hit, she kept moving, flag in hand, until a bullet finally brought her down.

Even in her last moments, she clung to the flag, refusing to let it touch the ground. She is counted amongst the early casualties of the Quit India Movement.

A dedicated follower of Gandhi, Hazra was one of the thousands of women who took up the flag at Mahatma Gandhi’s call to fight against the British. Her name is still renowned in Bengal, remembered as one of the great freedom fighters.

Matangini Hazra was born in 1869 in the village of Hogla, located in what is today the Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal. She came from a humble background, being the daughter of a poor farmer in Tamluk.

At the young age of 12, she was married to a man significantly older than her, and by 18, she had become a widow, with no children to care for. Despite these hardships, Matangini maintained a resilient spirit. She led a quiet life, yet devoted herself to social causes, gradually gaining the respect and trust of the local villagers.

STEPPING INTO THE STRUGGLE

With Gandhi’s call to protest against British rule in the early 1920s, Matangini Hazra was deeply inspired to contribute to the freedom struggle. She was one of the many who were captivated by the charisma and message of the Mahatma, joining the movement with great enthusiasm.

As noted by Indian-American scientist and author Mani Bhaumik, who spent his childhood in Tamluk, “Matangini’s admiration for Gandhi was so profound that she earned the nickname Gandhiburi, meaning ‘the old Gandhian woman,’ in our village...”

By the time Matangini Hazra reached her 60s, she had already faced arrest multiple times due to her active participation in protests. Rather than discouraging her, these experiences only fueled her determination. When Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement in 1942, she was in her 70s, yet her age did not diminish her resolve; instead, it intensified her commitment.

THE FINAL CALL FOR FREEDOM

Matangini emerged as a prominent leader in the movement within her region. One of her most defining moments occurred during a protest march toward the Tamluk police station in Midnapore, where thousands of demonstrators aimed to seize control of the local administration.

Despite the inherent dangers, she took the lead. On September 29, 1942, as the crowd advanced toward the police station, British authorities ordered them to disperse. When the protesters stood their ground, the British opened fire. Amid the chaos and gunfire, Matangini Hazra continued to march forward, proudly holding the Indian flag high above her.

Witnesses of that fateful day recall the bravery and determination of the elderly freedom fighter. With each shot fired, she kept moving forward, undeterred by the bullets. Even after being struck, she refused to retreat. Matangini continued to chant 'Vande Mataram', the rallying cry for Indian independence, while clutching the flag tightly in her hands.

Her unwavering commitment to the cause became evident as she held on to the flag, even as her body weakened under the impact of the bullets.

In a final act of defiance, Matangini Hazra was shot multiple times, but even in her last moments, she made sure that the Indian flag did not touch the ground. It is said that she died with the flag still held high, a powerful image of a woman who gave everything for her country.