Rama Devi Choudhury, Odisha’s freedom fighter and social reformer, empowered women, led Salt Satyagraha, and transformed education and social justice
Bhaskar Parichha
Rama Devi, also known as Ramadevi Choudhury (3 December 1899 – 22 July 1985), was a distinguished freedom fighter, social reformer, and a beacon of women’s liberation from Odisha.
Born in Satyabhamapur, Cuttack district, she was the niece of Madhusudan Das, a significant figure in Odia history, and was inspired by the Swadeshi movement from an early age.
Her father, Gopal Ballav Das, served as a Deputy Magistrate, while her mother was Basanti Manjaree. After marrying Gopabandhu Choudhury, who left his government position for nationalist endeavors, Rama Devi immersed herself in the Indian freedom struggle alongside him.
She began her active involvement in 1921 during Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Odisha, participating in the Non-Cooperation Movement and joining the Congress, where she became a fervent supporter of khadi. Rama Devi earned recognition as a leader during the Salt Satyagraha and the Civil Disobedience Movement, where she organized large-scale protests, boycotts, and flag hoisting at Lingaraj Temple. This act led to her arrest.
She not only inspired women and young girls to engage in the struggle but also rallied mass support while challenging traditional gender roles in society during political campaigns. Collaborating closely with Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi, and other national leaders, she contributed her personal ornaments for Satyagraha and participated in significant Congress sessions.
Rama Devi Choudhury’s activism showcases her growing leadership in Odisha’s freedom movement and social reforms. In 1921, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, she met him for the first time and joined the Indian National Congress and the Non-Cooperation Movement alongside her husband. She donated her personal ornaments for the Satyagraha cause and began promoting khadi and swadeshi in Odisha.
In 1922, she attended the Gaya Congress Session and became actively involved in the All India Charakha Sangha; she played a key role in establishing Alaka Ashram for social service in Jagatsinghpur. By 1930, she led Odisha’s Salt Satyagraha/Civil Disobedience Movement at Inchudi and Balasore with other women leaders, ultimately being arrested and imprisoned by British authorities.
The Inchudi Salt Satyagraha of 1930 in Odisha marked a significant moment when Rama Devi spearheaded thousands, particularly women, in defying colonial salt regulations, igniting widespread involvement in the Civil Disobedience Movement. Motivated by Gandhi’s Dandi March (March–April 1930), the Utkal Pradesh Congress Committee resolved to initiate the Salt Satyagraha in Odisha, designating Inchudi in Balasore district as the focal point.
On April 13, 1930, Acharya Harihar Das became the first to violate the salt law at Inchudi, which was soon followed by a mass mobilization led by local Congress leaders. After Gopabandhu Choudhury was arrested, Rama Devi, accompanied by Malati Devi and Kiranbala Sen, arrived at Inchudi to energize the movement.
On April 20, 1930, over 1,500 women participated with her in salt production at Inchudi, openly challenging British directives in a lengthy procession. Rama Devi held gatherings that attracted hundreds of rural women, encouraging them to forsake luxury and engage in the nationalist cause.
Women openly produced and sold illegal salt, taking part in direct action—an extraordinary step for women during that era. The movement rapidly extended to other coastal villages, leading to additional arrests, including key leaders and volunteers.
Police brutality and arrests – exceeding 288 in Balasore district – along with the destruction of salt pans, failed to dissuade the volunteers or lessen the participation of women. National figures, including Jawaharlal Nehru, sent messages of congratulations, acknowledging the resolve of Odisha’s satyagrahis.
The Inchudi Satyagraha is referred to as the “second Dandi” of India due to its significant impact and pivotal role in integrating rural women into the broader nationalist movement. Rama Devi’s leadership motivated countless Odia women and underscored the vital contribution of Odisha’s women to the freedom struggle.
This event represented a crucial moment in Odisha’s history, both in the battle against colonial oppression and in enhancing women’s political engagement. Following the Inchudi Salt Satyagraha protests in 1930, the British government launched a harsh crackdown, characterized by mass arrests and police brutality aimed at both leaders and volunteers, particularly targeting women-led initiatives.
Police raids were executed at ashrams and Congress meeting venues in Balasore and surrounding regions, leading to the destruction of salt pans and the seizure of illegal salt. Surveillance and intelligence efforts were heightened; British officials monitored activists trying to escape arrest, including those seeking shelter in French Balasore and local media offices.
The British made attempts to enter the French Loge to apprehend satyagrahis upon discovering that leaders were utilizing foreign territory to avoid colonial law enforcement. More than 288 individuals were detained in Balasore district alone, comprising notable activists and numerous women volunteers directly engaged in salt production and protests. Rama Devi herself, along with Malati Devi, Kiranbala Sen, and many supporters, was among those arrested and imprisoned for breaching the salt laws and spearheading direct action. The courts imposed severe penalties, and there were reports of police baton charges (lathi charge) and intimidation tactics aimed at undermining the movement’s progress and instilling fear in the rural communities participating in the protest. The British also exerted pressure on local media outlets, attempting to stifle coverage of the movement and its communication networks.
In spite of these oppressive measures, the Inchudi Salt Satyagraha emerged as a significant milestone for widespread civilian and women’s involvement in the struggle for Indian independence in Odisha.
In 1931, she participated in the Indian National Congress session held in Karachi, where she advocated for a Congress session to be convened in Odisha. A year later, she was released from Hazaribagh jail and initiated the “Asprushyata Nibarana Samiti” aimed at eliminating untouchability, which was later renamed the Harijan Sewa Sangha. In 1934, she engaged with Mahatma Gandhi during his visit to Odisha and set up various welfare institutions.
By 1938, she had established 15 schools and launched significant teacher training and basic education initiatives in rural areas. She actively participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942, during which her entire family, including Rama Devi and her husband, was arrested. In 1944, she became the Odisha representative for the Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust and established an ashram at Bari, known as “Sewaghar.”With India’s independence in 1947, she scaled back her direct political involvement and redirected her efforts towards social and educational initiatives.
In 1950, she founded the Tribal Welfare Centre at Dumburugeda and the Teachers’ Training Centre at Ramachandrapur. The following year, she provided relief during the Odisha famine, especially in the Koraput district.
In 1952, she led the Odisha chapter of the Bhoodan and Gramdan movements, walking 2,000–4,000 miles to campaign for the redistribution of land to the landless under Acharya Vinoba Bhave. The Indo-China War took place in 1962. She assisted soldiers impacted by the conflict and supported famine victims during the public unrest in western Odisha. Rama Devi helped set up the Utkal Khadi Mandal, Tribal Welfare Centre (Dumburugeda).
In 1971, she spearheaded relief efforts for Bangladeshi refugees following the war. By 1977, she had helped establish the Acharya Harihar Das Trust and led the Sarvodaya Sabha to promote social welfare in Odisha.
During the Emergency, she published and distributed an underground newspaper called Gram Sevak Press to oppose the repression of the Emergency; she was arrested alongside other prominent leaders from Odisha. In 1981, she was honored with the Jamnalal Bajaj Award for her contributions to social service, but declined the Padma Shri. In 1984, she received an honorary D.Litt. from Utkal University.
One significant achievement was the establishment of Alaka Ashram to care for the sick and poor, and led campaigns against untouchability, living among marginalized communities. She also founded schools, organized teacher training, promoted women’s education, and wrote extensively on social issues. Playing key roles in Harijan Seva Sangha, the Kasturba Memorial Trust, and Bhoodan and Gramdan movements for land redistribution and welfare, she continued her work even after India gained independence.
After independence, she devoted herself to social and educational causes, helping with relief during famines and wars. Rama Devi declined the Padma Shri award, but received the Jamnalal Bajaj Award (1981) and an honorary D.Litt from Utkal University (1984). Her autobiography “Jeevan Pathe” showcases her enduring dedication to social justice and the empowerment of women. Currently, Rama Devi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar is named in her honor, celebrating her legacy.
Rama Devi is regarded as a legendary figure and a symbol of women’s pride and social activism in modern Odisha. She passed away on July 22, 1985. This journey illustrates a life profoundly devoted to the Indian independence movement as well as the promotion of social justice and education in Odisha.
Rama Devi’s legacy is celebrated through various educational institutions and social organizations that carry her name. She is widely recognized and respected as “Maa Rama Devi,” symbolizing her role as a maternal figure and esteemed leader in the fight for freedom and social reform within the state.
Essentially, Rama Devi Choudhury played a crucial role not just in the political struggle against British colonialism but also in promoting social reform, education, and the empowerment of women and marginalized communities during the freedom movement in Odisha.
(Excerpt from the author’s forthcoming book Icons: Thirty Lives Who Shaped Odisha. The author is a senior journalist and columnist. Views expressed are personal.)
