The attainment of the independence of India was made possible not only by the great leaders who are in our constant remembrance but also by the countless number of common citizens who followed the clarion calls of their leaders. And in doing so they suffered untold hardship and incarcerations and braved the lathi charges and firings by the British police. Similarly, there are some other prominent freedom fighters whose sacrifices and contributions are no less significant, but they are not remembered today in the same breath. The contributions of the industry and industrialists of that era constituted the financial source of almost all the freedom movements launched by Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian National Congress and some other parties and their leaders. The contribution of literature and the journalism is also of great significance. It is not possible to trace these countless worthy names. Therefore, a humble endeavor has been made in this book to remember as many of them as possible.

Besides the British occupation, several parts of India were under the possession of the Portuguese, the French, the Dutch and the Danes. This book also describes how these territories were regained by India. It is my pleasure to place this book in the hands of my esteemed readers during this 75th year of the independence of our country.