The Unsung Heroine of India's Freedom Movement: Khurshedben Naoroji

Khurshedben Naoroji, a lesser-known yet significant figure in India's freedom struggle, dedicated her life to promoting non-violence among bandits. Born into a prominent Parsi family, she left her musical career to join Mahatma Gandhi's movement. Her efforts took her to the challenging North-West Frontier Province, where she faced numerous arrests while advocating for peace and unity. Despite the dangers, her commitment to the cause and her unique approach to engaging both men and women in the struggle for independence left a lasting impact. Discover the inspiring journey of this unsung heroine.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 28, 2026, 19:32 IST

A Forgotten Figure in Indian History

Throughout Indian history, numerous women have played pivotal roles yet remain largely unrecognized. Among them is Khurshedben Naoroji (1894–1966), the granddaughter of the prominent Dadabhai Naoroji (1825–1917). A trained soprano, she made the bold decision to abandon her musical career to advocate for non-violence among bandits during the freedom struggle.

Khurshedben, affectionately known as Khorshed or Khurshedbanoo, was raised in a distinguished Parsi family. Her grandfather was the first Asian elected to the British Parliament and a founding member of the Indian National Congress. As noted by historian Dinyar Patel on the Menaka Archive website, Khurshedben moved to Paris in her twenties to study European classical music. She aimed to transcribe traditional Indian music that had been passed down orally. Upon returning to Bombay in 1925, she aspired to establish an academy for Indian music.

During her travels in Europe, she formed a friendship with Eva Palmer Sikelianos, a New York aristocrat. Their mutual passion for music led them to create a school for non-Western music in Athens, Greece, where Khurshedben taught while donning saris. As biographer Artemis Leontis recounts, Khurshedben often reminisced about India and her desire to join Mahatma Gandhi's independence movement. However, when Sikelianos invited her to assist with the inaugural Delphic Festival, she declined and returned to Bombay instead.

Her longing for India eventually led her to the Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, where she motivated women to engage in the freedom struggle. Dinyar highlights that Khurshedben's efforts took her to the North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan), a region rife with tribal conflicts and banditry, starkly contrasting her Bombay upbringing. This challenging environment perhaps fueled her determination.

Khurshedben faced numerous arrests by British authorities as she worked to promote Hindu-Muslim unity in the area, a daunting task given the rampant violence from Muslim dacoits against Hindus. Undeterred, she approached the bandits, advocating for a shift from violence to Gandhian principles of non-violence. She engaged not only with men but also with women, discussing the detrimental effects of banditry. Despite facing life-threatening situations, her efforts contributed to a decline in banditry.

She even ventured into Waziristan, a perilous area, to assist in the release of kidnapped Hindus but was arrested before she could complete her mission. Following the Partition, she was barred from returning to the region, which subsequently became part of Pakistan.