Sarojini Naidu
Poet, freedom fighter and first woman governor of an Indian state
- Lived
- 70 yrs
- 1879 – 1949
- Works listed
- 3
- Poetry
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 1911
- Profile views
- 4
- 0 followers
Sarojini Naidu was a poet and political leader known as the Nightingale of India. She was the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress, a leader of the Salt Satyagraha and, after independence, the first woman governor of an Indian state. She died in 1949.
Biography
Poet
Sarojini Chattopadhyay was the daughter of the scientist Aghorenath Chattopadhyay, principal of the Nizam’s College in Hyderabad. She studied at King’s College London and Girton College, Cambridge, and published lyrical poems in English, including The Golden Threshold (1905), The Bird of Time (1912) and The Broken Wing (1917). She married Govindarajulu Naidu, a doctor, across caste lines.
Into politics
Inspired by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi, she became a celebrated orator for the independence movement and women’s rights. In 1925 she became the first Indian woman president of the Indian National Congress.
Salt Satyagraha
She travelled with Gandhi and led the raid on the Dharasana salt works in 1930 after his arrest. She was imprisoned several times and accompanied Gandhi to the Round Table Conference in London in 1931.
Governor
After independence she became governor of the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), the first woman to govern an Indian state. She died in office in Lucknow on 2 March 1949. Her birthday, 13 February, is celebrated as National Women’s Day in India.
Timeline
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1879
Born in Hyderabad, Hyderabad State (now Telangana)
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1905
The Golden Threshold
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1912
The Bird of Time
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1925
President of the Indian National Congress
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1930
Leads the Dharasana salt raid
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1931
Round Table Conference
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1947
Governor of the United Provinces
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1949
Dies in Lucknow
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1949
Died, aged 70
Notable works
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1905
The Golden Threshold Poetry
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1912
The Bird of Time Poetry
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1917
The Broken Wing Poetry
Awards and honours
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Kaisar-i-Hind Medal
1911 · For relief work; later returned in protest.
Did you know?
-
1
Gandhi gave her the nickname “Nightingale of India”.
-
2
She was the first woman to govern an Indian state.
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3
National Women’s Day in India is her birthday.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Sarojini Naidu?
Sarojini Naidu was a poet and political leader known as the Nightingale of India. She was the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress, a leader of the Salt Satyagraha and, after independence, the first woman governor of an Indian state. She died in 1949.
When did Sarojini Naidu die?
Sarojini Naidu died on 2 March 1949 at the age of 70.
Where is Sarojini Naidu from?
Sarojini Naidu was born in Hyderabad, Hyderabad State (now Telangana).
What is Sarojini Naidu known for?
Sarojini Naidu is best known for The Golden Threshold; presidency of the Indian National Congress (1925); governor of the United Provinces.
What awards has Sarojini Naidu received?
Notable honours include Kaisar-i-Hind Medal (1911).
References
- Sarojini Naidu — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Sarojini Naidu — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Sarojini Naidu — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Sarojini Naidu — Goodreads author page. Goodreads. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Sarojini Naidu — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Sarojini Naidu (Q250165) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Sarojini Naidu”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
Featured in
Historical Figures
Freedom fighters every Indian should know
The struggle for independence took many forms — revolts, newspapers, non-violent protest and armed revolution. Meet the people who led it.
27 October 2026
Activism & Humanitarian
Women who broke barriers in India
Teachers, poets, scientists, athletes and leaders: twelve Indian women who were the first to do what many thought women could not.
27 October 2026
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 27 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Sarojini Naidu.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/sarojini-naidu
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