“India must be free, India must be a republic, India must be united.” These words reflect the ideal of an independent India that Madam Bhikaiji Cama dedicated much of her life to supporting. Born on 24 September 1861, in Bombay (Mumbai), into a wealthy and respected Parsi family, Bhikaiji Rustom Cama grew up with access to education and opportunities. Her father, Sorabji Framji Patel, was a merchant and an influential member of the Parsi community. Yet, beyond the comforts of her upbringing, she developed an interest in the social and political conditions of her country. At a time when British colonial rule shaped the lives of millions of Indians, she gradually became drawn toward public service, nationalism, and the idea that India should have the right to determine its own future. Her story is not merely about a woman who raised a flag on foreign soil; it is about a person who spent decades supporting the cause of Indian independence, using her voice, resources, and international connections to bring attention to the struggle for freedom.
In 1885, Bhikaiji Cama married Rustomji Cama, a lawyer and the son of the prominent scholar K. R. Cama. However, the marriage was reportedly troubled by differences in their political outlook. While her husband was associated with views supportive of British rule, Bhikaiji became increasingly involved in social and nationalist activities. Her interest in public service grew further during the plague outbreak in Bombay in 1896. She devoted herself to helping those affected by the disease, putting the needs of suffering people before her own safety. She eventually contracted the illness herself, and the experience affected her health. In 1902, because of her declining health, she travelled to Europe for medical treatment. Her journey took her through different parts of Europe before she became more closely associated with political activities in London. What began as a journey connected to her health would eventually lead her into a life of international activism and support for India’s independence.
In London, Bhikaiji Cama came into contact with Dadabhai Naoroji, one of the most important early Indian nationalists and advocates of self-government. His political ideas and work influenced her understanding of India’s economic and political condition under British rule. She also encountered other nationalist figures, including Shyamji Krishna Varma and Lala Har Dayal, who were involved in different forms of the independence movement. Inspired by these associations, Cama began taking a more active role in promoting the cause of Swaraj, or self-government. She worked to communicate India’s situation to audiences outside the country and supported the circulation of nationalist literature. Her speeches and political activities increasingly attracted the attention of British authorities, who regarded revolutionary nationalist organizing as a threat to colonial control. Cama’s commitment to the freedom movement strengthened as she became involved in international networks that connected Indian activists living abroad.
As her political work continued, Bhikaiji Cama became associated with the Paris Indian Society and other Indian nationalist circles in Europe. She supported revolutionary literature and the spread of ideas that challenged British authority in India. Her involvement in publications, including Bande Mataram, helped connect her with the broader campaign for independence. The publication was associated with nationalist and revolutionary activities, and Cama used her international position to help bring attention to India’s demand for self-rule. She also travelled and delivered speeches, explaining the effects of British rule and encouraging international support for the Indian cause. Her work demonstrated that the freedom movement was not limited to protests and political activities within India. Indians living abroad also contributed through journalism, political organizing, public speaking, and efforts to build international awareness. For Cama, the struggle for freedom was a commitment that extended beyond geographical boundaries.
The most memorable moment of her life came on 22 August 1907, at the International Socialist Congress in Stuttgart, Germany. Delegates from different countries had gathered to discuss political and social issues, and Cama used this international platform to draw attention to India’s condition under British colonial rule. During the gathering, she unfurled an early version of the Indian flag and appealed for India’s freedom, equality, and political autonomy. The flag featured green, yellow, and red sections, with the words Vande Mataram written across the central portion. It was different from the national flag adopted by India in 1947, but it represented an early vision of an independent Indian nation. By displaying the flag before an international audience, Cama gave India’s freedom struggle a voice beyond the borders of the subcontinent. Her action became an important event in the history of Indian nationalism, demonstrating how symbols, public speeches, and international political gatherings could be used to advance the cause of independence.
Bhikaiji Cama continued her political activities abroad for many years, despite the challenges created by British surveillance and restrictions. She supported Indian nationalists and remained connected with the campaign against colonial rule. Her life in exile meant that she spent a considerable part of her years away from her homeland, but her commitment to India’s freedom remained central to her public work. She was part of a wider group of Indian activists who sought international support for independence and challenged the authority of the British Empire through speeches, publications, and political organizing. Her contribution also highlights the role of women in the freedom movement, particularly those who participated in political advocacy and nationalist activities at a time when women faced considerable social and institutional barriers.
After decades abroad, Bhikaiji Cama was permitted to return to India in 1935. By then, her health had declined, and her return came during the later years of the independence movement. She passed away on 13 August 1936, in Bombay, without witnessing India’s independence in 1947. Her death marked the end of a life that had been shaped by social service, political activism, and a sustained commitment to the cause of Indian self-government. Although she did not live to see the country become independent, her work continued to be remembered as part of the long history of India’s struggle against British rule.
Madam Bhikaiji Cama’s dream of a free, republican, and united India invites us to reflect on the meaning of these ideals even today. India achieved (partial) independence in 1947, but the responsibility of protecting and strengthening that freedom continues with every generation. India must still be free—not from British rule, but from corruption, injustice, and the misuse of public power by our own leaders. India must be a republic where power truly rests with the people, where citizens have meaningful authority to hold their elected representatives accountable, and where ideas such as the Right to Recall can be discussed as possible ways of strengthening democratic accountability. A republic should not be understood merely as a system in which people vote during elections; it should also encourage public participation, transparency, and responsibility among those who hold office.
India must also remain united, not allowing differences of religion, region, class, or caste to become instruments of division. Madam Bhikaiji Cama’s own life gives us a powerful example of this spirit. She came from a wealthy Parsi family, yet she devoted herself to the struggle for India’s freedom. Her background did not prevent her from identifying with the larger cause of the country; instead, she placed the freedom of India above distinctions of wealth, community, and personal comfort. Her example reminds us that the responsibility towards the nation belongs to everyone—whether rich or poor, Hindu or Muslim, Sikh or Christian, Parsi or belonging to any other community. Our circumstances and identities may be different, but the country we share is the same, and the motherland is the same for all. At the same time, the role of women and women’s leadership is equally important in building the future of a country. Women play a central role in shaping families and influencing the values of new generations. When women receive proper education, knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to think independently, they can make responsible decisions within their families and can also contribute as leaders in society and in every field they choose to enter. Educated and empowered women can help raise generations that understand responsibility, equality, truth, and citizenship. Madam Bhikaiji Cama herself stands as an example of how a woman can rise beyond the boundaries of her family and background and dedicate her abilities to the larger cause of the nation. Even today, political and social divisions can challenge our sense of common citizenship, making it important for people to think critically and protect the unity of the nation.
The responsibility of building such an India does not belong to leaders alone. It belongs to every citizen who seeks truth, understands their rights, questions injustice, and participates responsibly in democracy. Madam Bhikaiji Cama raised the flag for India’s freedom more than a century ago, but the ideals behind her struggle continue to challenge us. Her dream reminds us that freedom must be protected, a republic must be accountable to its people, and unity must be built through equality and shared responsibility. The journey toward a truly free, democratic, and united India remains a responsibility for all of us.
Remember the words “India must be free, India must be a republic, India must be united.”
To learn more about Madam Bhikaiji Cama’s life and her role in India’s revolutionary movement, read Mother of Indian Revolution (Life of Madam Cama) by Dr. Panchanan Saha and MADAME BHIKHAIJI RUSTOM CAMA by Khorshed Adi Sethna
