Kerala's Freedom Martyrs: From Pazhassi Raja to Commoners

Long ago, before India became independent, many parts of the world, including India, were ruled by Britain.

In the area that is now called Kerala, many brave people fought to make their country free.

Some of them were kings, like Pazhassi Raja, who fought the British soldiers from the forests for many years.

Others were big officials, like Velu Thampi, who refused to give up and chose death instead of being caught.

Many ordinary people also joined protests and farmers' struggles against unfair rulers.

Sometimes soldiers fired at crowds, and peaceful people lost their lives.

Some protesters were hanged just because they wanted freedom.

Once, many prisoners were locked inside a closed train wagon with hardly any air, and most of them died.

Today, people remember these brave men and women and thank them on India's Independence Day.