India’s freedom struggle was filled with brave men and women who gave everything they had to see their country free. While names like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Subhas Chandra Bose are well known, many lesser-known heroes also played powerful roles in shaping India's independence. One such brave woman was Bina Das. She was a young and educated woman who shocked the British Empire by attempting to assassinate the British Governor of Bengal. She was also a part of the Chhatri Sangha, a secret women’s student group that was involved in revolutionary activities.
Early Life and Education
Bina Das was born on August 24, 1911, in Krishnanagar, Bengal Presidency (now in West Bengal). She came from a family that supported education and Indian nationalism. Her father, Beni Madhab Das, was a respected teacher and believed in freedom and justice. He had taught Subhas Chandra Bose in school. Her mother, Sarala Devi, was also involved in social and political work. Growing up in such an environment, Bina Das learned the importance of standing up for what is right.
Bina was a bright student. She studied at St. John’s Diocesan Girls' Higher Secondary School in Kolkata and later joined Bethune College, one of the oldest women’s colleges in India. While studying, she saw the suffering of Indians under British rule and became interested in the freedom movement. She was deeply influenced by the speeches and writings of freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Subhas Chandra Bose.
But Bina Das was not satisfied with just listening or reading. She wanted to act. She wanted to take part in the struggle herself.
Joining the Chhatri Sangha
While in college, Bina joined a secret organization called the Chhatri Sangha (Women’s Student Group). This group was formed by revolutionary women students in Kolkata. It was not a regular student group. The Chhatri Sangha trained its members in self-defense, political thought, and revolutionary actions. They believed that women should not just sit and wait for change—they should fight for it.
The Chhatri Sangha worked closely with other revolutionary groups like the Jugantar Party. Bina Das, being one of the most committed and fearless members, quickly became involved in bold activities. The group was inspired by revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and believed in using direct action against the British.
The Assassination Attempt
The event that made Bina Das famous across India happened on February 6, 1932. On that day, the British Governor of Bengal, Stanley Jackson, came to the Convocation Hall of the University of Calcutta to attend the degree distribution ceremony. Bina Das was one of the students who was to receive her degree that day.
But she had a different plan.
Bina Das had smuggled a revolver inside the hall. As the Governor came up to the stage, she fired five shots at him. Fortunately for the Governor, none of the bullets hit him. The crowd was shocked. British officials quickly caught her. She did not run. She did not fight. She simply stood there, calm and silent.
Later, when asked why she did it, Bina Das gave a powerful statement. She said she could not sit quietly and watch her country suffer. She wanted to show the British that Indians would not remain slaves forever. Her action was not personal—it was political.
Arrest and Trial
After the incident, Bina Das was immediately arrested. The British government treated her as a criminal, but many Indians saw her as a hero. During her trial, she gave a bold and honest statement. She said:
“I fired at the Governor because I felt in my soul that I could no longer bear to see my country in chains… I am not sorry for what I did. I only regret that I could not do more for my country.”
Her words touched many people. Even those who did not agree with violence respected her courage.
The British sentenced her to nine years of rigorous imprisonment. She was just 20 years old when she went to jail.
Life in Prison
Life in British jails was very hard, especially for revolutionaries. Bina Das had to face physical and mental torture. But she never gave up. She spent her time reading, writing, and thinking about India’s future. She remained strong in her belief that India would become free one day.
While in jail, she wrote about her thoughts, feelings, and dreams. She believed that freedom was not just about ending British rule—it was about creating a better society where everyone was equal and free.
Release and Later Life
Bina Das was released in 1939 after spending seven long years in prison. But she did not stop working for the country. She joined the Indian National Congress and took part in the Quit India Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1942. She was arrested again and spent more time in jail.
After India became independent in 1947, Bina Das moved away from politics. She believed that the new government should focus on social justice, education, and helping the poor. She worked as a teacher and social worker. She wanted to inspire young people, especially women, to be strong and independent.
Personal Life
Bina Das later married Jyotish Chandra Bhaumik, a fellow freedom fighter. The couple lived a quiet life and avoided publicity. Bina never tried to use her fame for personal gain. She remained committed to the values she believed in: simplicity, honesty, and service.
She wrote her autobiography, titled “Shrinkhal Jhankar” (translated as “The Sound of Chains”), in Bengali, in which she shared her experiences and thoughts on the freedom movement and life in prison.
A Forgotten Hero
Sadly, Bina Das was forgotten by the government and the public in her later years. She lived alone in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. Her final years were spent in poverty and neglect. When she died in 1986, her death went unnoticed for days. The woman who once shook the British Empire with her courage passed away quietly, with no fanfare or state honor.
Legacy
Though forgotten by many, Bina Das's story still shines as a symbol of bravery and patriotism. She was one of the few women in India's freedom struggle who directly attacked a high British official. Her action was not out of hatred but out of love for her country.
She proved that women were not weak, and they could be just as fearless and determined as men. Her life encourages young Indians to stand up for justice, to be brave in the face of danger, and to serve the country selflessly.
In recent years, there have been efforts to recognize her contribution. Roads and institutions have been named after her, and books and documentaries have told her story to a new generation.
Conclusion
Bina Das was not just a revolutionary—she was a symbol of what young people can do when they believe in a cause. She gave up a comfortable life, education, and even her future, to fight for India’s freedom. Her attempt to assassinate the Governor was not an act of crime—it was an act of protest, of bravery, and of love for her motherland.
India may have achieved political freedom, but Bina Das’s life reminds us that true freedom means fighting for justice, equality, and dignity for all. Let us remember her name, her courage, and her sacrifice—and let it inspire us to build a better future.
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