Bhikaiji Cama

Bhikaiji Rustom Cama (1861–1936), widely known as Madame Cama, was a pioneering Indian revolutionary, activist, and feminist. Her contributions were central to internationalizing the Indian independence movement and establishing the visual identity of India’s struggle for sovereignty.

Early Life and Political Foundation

Born on September 24, 1861, in a wealthy Parsi family in Bombay, Cama received an English-style education, which later aided her in effectively navigating international political circles.

• She was married to Rustom Cama, a pro-British lawyer, which created ideological friction that eventually led her to distance herself from domestic life to focus on national service.
• In 1896, she volunteered to assist victims of the bubonic plague epidemic in Bombay. During this service, she contracted the disease herself, which prompted her to travel to London for medical treatment.
• She remained in Europe for the rest of her life, operating as a vital link between Indian revolutionaries abroad and the nationalist movement at home.

The 1907 Stuttgart Flag Incident

Cama’s most iconic act occurred during the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1907. Her actions remain a defining moment in the history of Indian nationalism.

• She unfurled the first version of the Indian flag, which featured stripes of green, yellow, and red.
• The flag symbolized the aspirations of a nation under colonial rule: the green stripe represented Islam, the yellow represented Hinduism, and the red represented Buddhism.
• The eight lotuses on the flag represented the eight provinces of British India at the time.
• Her call to action at the conference, “This flag is of Indian independence. Behold, it is born! It has been made sacred by the blood of young Indians who sacrificed their lives,” galvanized international support for India’s cause.

Revolutionary Activities and Publications

Operating from Paris, Cama established her residence as a hub for Indian revolutionaries. She actively supported the radical wing of the independence movement.

• She was an active member of the Indian Home Rule Society and a close associate of Shyamji Krishna Varma and V.D. Savarkar.
• She launched the journal Bande Mataram in 1909 from Paris to disseminate anti-British propaganda, bypassing the strict censorship laws in force in India.
• She also published Madan’s Talwar, a periodical named in honor of Madan Lal Dhingra, which explicitly advocated for armed revolution against British colonial administration.

Key Historical Contributions and Facts

Ideological Stance and Legacy

Cama’s political philosophy went beyond political independence; she was a staunch advocate for gender equality and human rights.

• She championed the right of women to vote and participate in political decision-making, arguing that India’s liberation would be incomplete without the empowerment of women.
• Despite being under constant surveillance by British intelligence, she managed to maintain a network that smuggled arms and nationalist literature into India.
• Her refusal to sign a pledge of good behavior led to the confiscation of her property by the British government in 1915, rendering her penniless in exile.
• She returned to India in 1935, ailing and aged, and passed away in August 1936.

Historical Significance in the Freedom Struggle

• Internationalization: She successfully moved the Indian question from the British Parliament to the international socialist and intellectual forums in Europe.
• Visual Nationalism: By designing and displaying the national flag, she provided a tangible symbol that helped unify diverse nationalist sentiments under a single national identity.
• Radical Continuity: She acted as a bridge between the early revolutionary efforts of the 1905 era and the later, more organized movements, maintaining the continuity of the militant struggle against British imperialism.