NEW DELHI: On the birth anniversary of Bhikaji Rustam Cama, India remembers a pioneering freedom fighter whose nationalist activities took the cause of Indian independence far beyond the country’s shores. Born on September 24, 1861, in Mumbai, Cama became one of the prominent voices of India’s freedom movement abroad and is widely remembered for raising an early version of an Indian tricolour at an international gathering in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1907.
Born into a prosperous Parsi family, Bhikaji was deeply influenced by a strong sense of patriotism from an early age. Her father, Sorabji Framji, was a successful merchant in Mumbai.
Her marriage to Rustamji Cama in 1885 did not bring her the life she expected. While her husband supported British rule, Bhikaji increasingly became involved in social work and nationalist activities.
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तिरंगे की प्रथम निर्माता भीकाजी कामाआज स्वतन्त्र भारत के झण्डे के रूप में जिस तिरंगे को हम प्राणों से भी अधिक सम्मान देते हैं, उसका पहला रूप बनाने और उसे जर्मनी में फहराने का श्रेय जिस स्वतन्त्रता सेनानी को है, उन मादाम भीकाजी रुस्तम कामा… pic.twitter.com/WzaNosthvr
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From relief work to the freedom struggle
During the devastating cholera outbreak in Mumbai in 1896, Cama joined relief efforts and worked among affected communities. The demanding work took a toll on her health, and she later travelled to Britain for medical treatment.
In Britain, she initially worked alongside Dadabhai Naoroji, one of the leading figures of the Indian nationalist movement. She subsequently became associated with more radical nationalist circles, including the activities of Shyamji Krishna Varma and other Indian revolutionaries.
London’s India House became an important centre of nationalist activity, with figures such as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Madan Lal Dhingra also associated with the wider movement.
The flag raised in Stuttgart
Cama later moved to Paris, from where she continued campaigning for India’s independence. One of the most memorable moments of her political career came in 1907, when she attended the International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart, Germany.
At the gathering, Cama spoke about India’s struggle against British rule and presented an early design of an Indian national flag. She raised the flag on August 18, 1907, making her an important figure in the early history of India’s national flag.
The flag differed from the tricolour India uses today. It featured green, yellow and red horizontal bands, with lotus flowers on the upper band, Vande Mataram on the middle band, and the sun and crescent moon on the lower band.
The design reflected the nationalist symbolism of its time and became an important representation of India’s demand for independence.
Taking India’s freedom struggle abroad
Cama continued her campaign in Europe and later travelled to the United States, where she addressed meetings and worked to build international support for India’s independence.
In France, she helped publish the newspaper Vande Mataram, using the publication to promote the nationalist cause. Her activities attracted the attention of British intelligence, which monitored her correspondence and political work.
Despite restrictions imposed by the colonial government, Cama continued her activities from abroad for several years.
A longing to return home
Cama eventually wished to return to India, but British authorities initially prevented her from doing so because of her political activities. After years abroad and declining health, she finally returned to India in 1935.
On August 30, 1936, Bhikaji Cama passed away in Mumbai. Her journey from social worker to international campaigner for Indian independence remains an important chapter in India’s freedom struggle.
