Durgabai Deshmukh was an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, social worker, and politician. She was one of India’s most dynamic freedom fighters, a defender of social welfare, and a champion of women’s rights.

Durgabai Deshmukh got involved in the Indian Freedom Struggle at the very young age of 12. When she turned 14, she volunteered at a conference held by the Indian National Congress in Kakinada. She participated in the Salt Satyagrah movement of Mahatma Gandhi and was imprisoned between 1930 and 1932. She completed her M.A from Andhra University, being in Jail. In 1936, she founded Andhra MahilaSabha to coach young Telugu girls in Madras for their Matriculation examination conducted by the Banaras Hindu University.

Durgabai Deshmukh was awarded Nehru Literary Award in 1971 for her contribution to the promotion of literacy in India. She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1975.

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