Durgawati Devi Biography 
Durgawati Devi, popularly called 'Bhabhi' was an Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. She was one among the earliest female freedom fighters and activists from India. She was married to revolutionary Bhagwati Charan Vohra, known for making bombs for their activities. She became popular as "Durga Bhabhi" in Indian revolutionary circles. After Indian independence she spent her life in social services and passed away in 1999 aged 92.
She was born in 1907 and got married to Vohra at a very young age of 11. She joined revolutionary movement and was an active member of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha. She gained popularity among revolutionaries after Bhagat Singh-Saunders killing episode. After the murder of Saunders, Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev Thapar reached her home and she also helped Bhagat Singh to escape from police, by accompanying him on the train journey. She posed herself as the wife of Bhagat Singh, while Singh shaved off his beard and cut his hair short to change his identity.
She led the funeral procession of Jatin Das from Lahore to Kolkata and as an active member of Naujawan Bharat Sabha, she was among the patriots who observed the the 11th anniversary of Kartar Singh Sarabha’s martyrdom in Lahore. In 1929 she attempted to kill Lord Hailey, but couldn’t succeed. She was imprisoned for 3 years. She was one among those who tried their level best to rescue Bhagat Singh and his comrades from life sentence, though it went futile. She sold her ornaments for this purpose. She also assisted her husband and his associates in bomb making.
She became a widow at a very young age when her husband got killed in a bomb testing. After Indian independence she led a simple life and opened a school for poor children in Lucknow.
Published: N/A
Updated: July 21, 2014
