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20 Most Fearless Indian Warriors in History

*Originally Published by Kenneth K in December 2022 and Updated by Nellian in March 2024.

India, officially known as the Republic of India, is located in South Asia. It is the second-most populated country in the world with 1.441 billion people as of 2024. India is also the world’s seventh-largest country in terms of area.

Moreover, India has a rich and colorful history with several empires, dynasties, and religions interacting. A common factor that is consistent with the history of any land is war and India is no exception.

To this extent, India is home to some brave soldiers and warriors who have fought to acquire or protect their land or rights. Most of these soldiers were or ended up being great rulers, intelligent war tacticians, and prominent leaders whose efforts were attributed directly to India鈥檚 prosperity.

Therefore, we have decided to prepare a list of the 20 most fearless Indian warriors in the country鈥檚 long history. Enjoy!

20. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – The Valiant Leader of the Army

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose created the Indian National Army (INA) to liberate the motherland from oppressive British rule. After escaping house arrest, he went to Southeast Asia to revive the INA with Indian prisoners of war (POW).

Additionally, his fiery speeches and charismatic leadership electrified the Indian National Army troops to advance into British India as part of the failed Imphal campaign.

Afterward, though defeated, Bose struck terror among colonial forces and inspired many freedom fighters with his audacious military initiative. The courage and unwavering conviction of this valiant leader to free India from the shackles of imperialism make Subhas Chandra Bose a giant in the history of Indian nationalists.

19. Bhagat Singh – The Fearless Revolutionary

Bhagat Singh was a revolutionary nationalist who confronted British rule through his daring acts. He bombed the Central Legislative Assembly in a symbolic act of protest against repressive imperialist laws.

Furthermore, Singh also threw non-lethal smoke bombs and leaflets in the Assembly on another defiant occasion. Unafraid of provoking British anger, Singh wished to inspire the masses to engage in revolutionary activities.

Thus, his legendary courage and willingness to embrace martyrdom at the age of 23 for his principles established Bhagat Singh as one of India’s most influential revolutionaries.

18. Tantia Tope – The Strategic Hero of the Indian Rebellion

, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Tantia Tope also known as Tatya Tope was one of the main leaders of the Indian rebellion in 1857 and fought against the British East India Company. He was an expert in military strategy and led rebel forces in several major battles against the Company, including the famous Siege of Cawnpore.

Moreover, Tope’s clever war tactics helped Nana Sahib defeat the British in Kanpur. Even after the revolt had ended, he continued resistance by leading daring guerrilla attacks on British troops until his execution in 1859. Tantia Tope remains one of the most lionized heroes of India’s freedom struggle.

17. Mangal Pandey – The First Martyr of the Indian Rebellion

Mangal Pandey, a sepoy of the British East India Company, takes the credit for igniting the spark of the great Indian Rebellion of 1857. He led an attack on British officers in objection to the use of cow and pig fat-greased cartridges, which offended both Hindu and Muslim religious sentiments.

Though he failed, Pandey’s act of rebellion inspired thousands of sepoys across the country to rise against British rule. Despite being overpowered, he continued to challenge the British forces until the very end. Pandey made the supreme sacrifice in the fight against colonialism and is remembered as the revolutionary who helped instigate the revolt for freedom.

16. Rani Abbakka Chowta – The Queen of Ullal

, , via Wikimedia Commons

Rani Abbakka Chowta, the fearless queen of the coastal kingdom of Ullal, resisted Portuguese efforts to control the lucrative pepper trade in 16th-century Karnataka. Abbakka organized an army against repeated Portuguese naval attacks and forged alliances with nearby rulers.

Thus, for over four decades, she successfully repulsed Portuguese forces through her brilliant military tactics and leadership. Abbakka Chowta’s courage in confronting early European colonialism single-handedly makes her one of India’s most intrepid woman warriors.

15. Samudragupta – The Napoleon of India

Samudragupta was the second emperor of the Gupta empire from about 330 to 380 CE. He was the son of Chandragupta I (1st emperor) and the Licchavi princess Kumaradevi and is regarded by some as the greatest ruler of the dynasty.

He is sometimes referred to as the Napoleon of India, or 鈥淐hakravarti Raja鈥�. During his reign, he extended his empire’s territory extensively through military conquests in Northern India and along the southern coast of India.

He is portrayed as a poet, musician, and strong warrior who had “several wounds acquired in battle.” He epitomized the Indian idea of the hero in many ways.

14. Prithviraj Chauhan – The Last Hindu Emperor

Statue of Prithviraj Chauhan at Ajmer by LRBurdak –

Also known as Rai Pithora or Prithviraja III was king of the Chauhan dynasty from 1177 to his death in 1192 CE. Prithviraj was born in 1166 and succeeded the kingdom at age 11. He was the son of King Someshvara and Queen Karpuradevi (a Kalachuri princess).

Furthermore, he was known for being a romantic and dashing general to his people. After several years in control of his kingdom, he faced a rebellion from Nagarjuna which he crushed swiftly and efficiently. Afterward, he set his eyes on expanding his kingdom, and by 1182 he had crushed several neighboring kingdoms most notably the Chandelas in Central India.

In 1191 AD, he defeated Muslim ruler Ghori in what is known today as the 鈥楩irst Battle of Tarain.鈥� Prithviraj captured Ghori but let him go as a gesture of good faith, a decision he would soon regret. In 1192 AD, Ghori returned with a stronger army of Persians, Afghans, and Turks.

Ghori won the 鈥楽econd Battle of Tarain鈥�, captured, tortured, and killed Prithviraj and several generals. This loss marked the beginning of Muslim control in the region.

13. Rani Lakshmi Bai – The Warrior Queen of Jhansi

Rani Lakshmibai from a painting by Anonymous –

Lakshmi Bai, also written as Laxmi Bai was an Indian Queen as the wife of Maharaja Gangadhar Rao. She was also the Maharani consort of the Maratha princely state of Jhansi while married to King Gangadhar from 1843 to 1853. Lakshmi is also recognized as the leader of the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58 against the British.

Additionally, she was raised in the household of then-ruler Baji Rao II and unlike most girls, in her age/time, she was trained in martial arts, sword fighting, and horse riding. Maharaja Gangadhar died before Lakshmi could bear him an heir so he adopted one.

However, the Britts did not recognize the heir, and under the 鈥楧octrine of Lapse鈥�, She was ordered to Vacate the throne. She refused and thus the mutiny began after she was declared ruler on behalf of the young heir. 

Lakshmi died at age 29 in 1858 in the battle against British forces dressed as a cavalry leader. She was badly wounded in the battle and asked for her body to be burnt to avoid the Britts capturing her body.

12. Maharana Pratap – The Symbol of Resistance

Statue of Maharana Pratap of Mewar by Ankur P –

Also referred to as Rana Pratap Singh, he was the king of Mewar in the Sisodia dynasty from 1572鈥�1597. He became a folk hero as he resisted Mughal Emperor Akbar, unlike many other rulers in the kingdom.

However, this resistance led to a war which was fought in the Battle of Haldighati (1576) which Akbar won and Pratap fled to the mountains. In his absence, his kingdom deteriorated and declined to a wasteland.

Subsequently, Pratap continued to Harass the Mughals and was eventually able to regain most of his kingdoms鈥� land and strongholds. For his efforts in this, he died a hero to most of his people. Yet, his son would later surrender the region to Akbar鈥檚 son.

11. Shivaji Bhonsale I – The Architect of the Maratha Empire

portrait of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is from the British Museum in London by Unknown author –

Shivaji, also written as 艢ivaji, was the 1st emperor (Chhatrapati) of the Maratha Empire. He was also a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji was not only a warrior but a pioneer and a leader whose rule at one point almost enclosed the entire Indian subcontinent.

Thus, with the Adilshahi sultanate of Bijapur declining, Shivaji carved out an independent kingdom from the ruins. He was formally crowned Chhatrapati in 1674. He is one of the few leaders who challenged the Mughal Empire, the Sultanate of Golkonda, and the European colonial powers. Shivaji restored historic Hindu political customs and court traditions while establishing a forward-thinking civil rule.

10. Chandragupta Maurya – The Founder of the Maurya Empire

Chandragupta was a ruler in South Asia during the Iron Age. He founded the Maurya dynasty and expanded it extensively geographically. The dynasty peaked under his grandson Ashoka (below). The Mauryan empire is described as loosely knit (vague) and its political formation, as well as its bounds, are not certain.

Besides, with the aid of Parvartaka and Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the final Nanda emperor, Dhanananda. In 305 BC, he beat Alexander the Great’s general Seleucus Nikator. The two of them afterward formed a marriage alliance for Nicator’s daughter (Helena) and avoided prolonging the war.

Trades, agriculture, transportation systems, and irrigation systems all got better during his rule. Later, out of sorrow for his starving people, he fasted himself to death.

9. Emperor Ashoka – The Benevolent Conqueror

Ashoka the Great as he is popularly known, was the 3rd emperor of the Maurya Empire. He is the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya who founded the empire. His empire, which had Pataliputra as its capital, stretched across a sizable portion of the Indian subcontinent, from what is now Afghanistan in the west to what is now Bangladesh in the east.

Early in his life, he was known as a ferocious warrior who killed mercilessly. It is said he killed his brother to ascend to power. However, he had a change of heart and swore off violence after witnessing the casualties of the Kalinga War.

8. Chandragupta II – The Great

Chandragupta II, who is also known as Chandragupta Vikramaditya was the 3rd ruler of the Gupta Empire. Historical records suggest he was one of the most powerful emperors to take charge of the Gupta dynasty.

A prominent warrior, Chandragupta employed the expansionist policy of his predecessor and mainly used military conquest to do so. However, he did sometimes use peaceful means such as matrimonial alliances to expand his territory.

Subsequently, his empire became even richer after he conquered Gujarat and Western Malwa. This gave him access to the Western Sea Coast, which is renowned for its trade and commerce.

7. Bappa Rawal – The Founder of the Mewar Dynasty

Rawal Bappa was a Rajput King of the Guhila dynasty by Historicboyz –

Bappa Rawal was a Mewar king whose reign lasted from around 728 CE to 753 CE. According to some bardic chronicles, he is attributed to the Guhila Clan and is recognized as the founder of the Guhila Dynasty.

On top of that, Bappa was a known military specialist, and his exploits are usually attributed to resistance against the Arab invasion of India. According to some reports, he was part of the anti-Arab confederacy formed by the Pratihara ruler Nagabhata I.

6. Tipu Sultan – The Tiger of Mysore

Portrait of Tipu Sultan by an anonymous Indian artist –

Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu is the birth name of Tipu Sultan who is more commonly called the Tiger of Mysore. He was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in South India. Tipu鈥檚 reign lasted from 1782 to 1799 when he was killed during the siege of Seringapatam against British forces.

While he was an astute leader, Tipu was also a renowned warrior and military strategist. He is remembered in modern warfare as a pioneer of rocket artillery.

Over and above that, during the Second Anglo-Mysore War, he defeated the British with significant success. He negotiated with the Britts in the Mangalore Treaty in 1784, which put an end to the Second Anglo-Mysore War.

5. Baji Rao I – The Founding Father of the Maratha Empire

Baji Rao I who was born as Visaji, was the Peshwa (appointed Prime Minister) of the Maratha Empire. His tenure as Maratha鈥檚 leader lasted for 20 years from 1720 to 1740.

To add on, he is considered the driving factor behind the massive expansion of the Maratha empire. This is because he established Maratha supremacy in both Southern and Northern India.

Baji was also a revered warrior and was very adept at guerrilla warfare. He defeated the Mughals in the battles of Delhi and Bhopal. Baji is also responsible for conquering Salsettle and Bassin from the Portuguese.

4. King Poros – The Defender of the Indus

Poros, also written as Porus, is an ancient Indian king whose reign is recorded from 326 to 317 BC. Located in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, his territory extended between the Jhelum River (Hydaspes) and Chenab River (Acesines). While he had a significant influence in India, Porus is only mentioned in Greek sources.

Porus was an exceptional warrior and is remembered for resisting and fighting Alexander the Great, although unsuccessfully. When the two fought, Porus was outmatched as he had elephants and a slow-moving infantry.

However, Alexander was impressed with his tactics and approach, and this allowed him to retain his kingdom. From then on Poros became a Macedonian subordinate ruler under Alexander.

3. Rajendra Chola I – The Conqueror of the Seas

Rajendra Chola I was an emperor in the Chola dynasty whose reign lasted from 1014 to 1044 CE. He is also known as Kadaram Kondan, Gangaikonda Chola, and Rajendra the Great.

Under his regime, the Chola dynasty expanded to its greatest extent in history. He was the most powerful ruler/leader in the Indian subcontinent during his tenure.

Rejandra was a warrior even as a young prince. He was a member of the Chola Army and fought in several conquests and put down rebellions in the dynasty.

Moreover, Rejandra expanded the Chola dynasty outside the Indian subcontinent and effectively ruled the new conquests. He had majority control of trading activities in the Indian Ocean.

2. Guru Gobind Singh – The Warrior Saint

Gobind Singh by Unknown Author –

Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and final human Sikh Guru. He was also recognized as Gobind Das or Gobind Rai. He was installed as leader of the Sikhs following the execution of his father at age 9.

Better still, Gobind was many things to his people including a spiritual master, warrior, poet, and philosopher. As a warrior, he founded the Khalsa, a warrior community, in 1699.

Further, he was involved in several wars against the Mughals and the Kings of the Siwalik Hills. These battles include; the Battle of Bhangani, the Battle of Nadaun, the Battle of Guler, and the Battle of Anandpur among others.

1. Sangram Singh I – The Lion of Mewar

Depiction of Rana Sanga by Unknown author –

Sangram Singh is popularly known as Maharana Sanga or Rana Sanga. He was an Indian ruler in the Sisodia dynasty. He reigned from 1508 to 1528 CE turning his territory into a powerhouse in 20 years.

Besides, Sanga had a long and decorated military career leading his troops to several successes against neighboring kingdoms. More so Muslim kingdoms such as the Lodi dynasty of Delhi.

He waged war against the Mughals consistently throughout his reign. Eventually, he was defeated at Khanwa in what is considered a turning point leading to the Mughal conquest of Northern India.

The stories of these 20 most fearless Indian warriors in history bear testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian people. Their courage, resilience, and sacrifice continue to inspire generations, reminding us of the power of determination and fortitude in the face of adversity. As we honor their legacy, let us draw inspiration from their bravery and strive to uphold the values of freedom, justice, and equality for all.