Shashibala Devi

Shashibala Devi
Born	Shashibala Devi 1886
Died	?
Nationality	British Indian
Known for	Indian independence movement
Spouse	Loknath Maitra
Parent	Chandranath Bagchi (Father)

Shashibala Devi was a prominent personality of the Indian independence movement from undivided Bengal. Her leadership and eloquence left an indelible mark on India's struggle for independence.

Birth and family

Shashibala Devi was born to Chandranath Bagchi in 1886. Influenced by her father's ideals, she joined politics and social services. She was married to Loknath Maitra at the age of twelve. but widowed at 16.

Political career

In 1930, Shashibala Devi fervently joined the Civil Disobedience Movement, igniting enthusiasm among North Bengal's women to join the Congress. Her innovative campaign methods include speeches at the train stations during brief shops, captivating audiences. For these activities, she was arrested.

As a result of the Gandhi–Irwin Pact, she was released before the end of her prison sentence and joined the Karachi Congress session,1931. She again participated in the civil disobedience movement in 1932. She was imprisoned a total of four times. She was elected a member of the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee. When the illegal Congress session was held in Calcutta under the leadership of Nellie Sengupta, at that time, the Congress session was held under the presidency of Shashibala Devi after the arrest of Nellie Sengupta. This memory was perhaps the most valuable in her political life. With this, her influence extended beyond Rajshahi Division, reaching Faridpur, Cooch Behar, Medinipur, and Khulna, where her impassioned speeches fostered political awakening.

She was the heart of the women's movement in North Bengal. Her field of work was not limited to the eight districts of Rajsahi division; she also visited places like Faridpur, Cooch Behar, Medinipur, Khulna, etc.

She was respected by the leaders like Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and others and known as Baromaa.