Pritilata Waddedar Biography 
Pritilata Waddedar was a revolutionary nationalist from Bengal known for freedom struggle movement against British. She was the first Indian woman revolutionary to fight the British. She was a member of the revolutionary group headed by Surya Sen known for on Chittagong armoury raid in 1930. She was an entrusted group member of Surya’s group who was given the mission to attack the European Club in Chittagong, along with Kalpana Dutta. But Kalpana Dutta got arrested before the plan execution, as she was caught carrying arms. The revolutionaries were irritated by a sign board that read "Dogs and Indians not allowed". However this brave woman carried forward the mission leading 15 men, but got caught by British. Pritilata consumed cyanide and died on the spot. She was only 21 then. Bangladeshi writer Selina Hossain recalls Pritilata as an ideal for every woman.
Ashutosh Gowariker’s famous historical film - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey was based on Chittagong armoury raid in 1930 and the life of Surya Sen and Kalpana Datta. Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone reprised the real life roles of both these brave revolutionaries. 2012 Bollywood movie – Chittagong was also based on this uprising. Pritilata Waddedars role was played by Vishakha Singh. In 2012 Bollywood movie Chittagong, Vega Tamotia played the role of Waddedar.
Pritilata was born to a middle-class family in Chittagong in 1911. She was born to Jagabandhu Waddedar and Pratibhamayi Devi. She had 5 siblings. Her father was a clerk in the Chittagong Municipality. She schooled at Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' School and during this time she got inspired by the story of Jhansi Rani told by one of her teachers. She completed intermediate from Eden College, Dhaka with first rank. She joined Bethune College for higher education and completed graduation with distinction. But her degree was withheld by British authorities at Calcutta University.
She returned to her hometown where she started her career as a school teacher of Nandankanan Aparnacharan School and later became its head mistress. In 1932 she joined Surya Sen’s revolutionary group. Pritilata took part in many raids like attacks on the Telephone & Telegraph offices of British. She along with Kalpana Dutta was given the plan to lead the group to attack Pahartali European Club. Kalpana Dutta got arrested 7 days before attack and Pritilata carried the mission alone, leading 15 men revolutionaries.
She dressed herself as a Punjabi male and her group attacked the club. She got wounded by a bullet and was trapped by the British police. She swallowed cyanide and committed suicide to avoid the arrest. Now there is a plaque there in her memory, the place where she committed suicide. A trust named Birkannya Pritilata Trust has been started in her memory. A bronze sculpture of Pritilata Waddedar and Surya Sen is to be installed near the Pahartali European Club.
Published: N/A
Updated: June 02, 2014
