Pritilata Waddedar (1911-1932) was a revolutionary nationalist from Chittagong, renowned for her role in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. Born into a modest family—her father was a clerk in the Chittagong Municipality—Pritilata excelled academically, passing her matriculation in the first division from Khastagir Girls’ School and later securing the top position in the Dhaka Board’s Intermediate examinations from Eden College. She graduated with distinction in philosophy from Bethune College, Kolkata.
During her college years, Pritilata became involved in anti-British political activities, joining revolutionary groups such as Dipali Sangha and Chhatri Sangha. She returned to Chittagong as a headmistress of an English medium school named Nandankanan Aparnacharan School but remained deeply involved in revolutionary activities. She was the first woman member of Surya Sen’s revolutionary group, participating in operations against British establishments, including attacks on Telephone and Telegraph offices and the Jalalabad battle, where she supplied explosives.
In 1932, under Surya Sen’s leadership, Pritilata led an attack on the Pahartali European Club, a symbol of colonial racism marked by the sign “Dogs and Indians not allowed.” Disguised as a man and carrying potassium cyanide, she and her group raided the club successfully. However, trapped by the police on that night, she took her own life by swallowing cyanide to avoid capture. At only 21, Pritilata’s martyrdom became a powerful source of inspiration for the Indian freedom struggle.