Surendranath Banerjee

Sir Surendranath Banerjee, born on November 10, 1848, was a prominent Indian nationalist leader during the British Raj, earning the title of Rashtraguru, meaning 'Teacher of the Nation'. His contributions to India's struggle for independence were significant, as he played a pivotal role in uniting Hindus and Muslims for political action.

In 1876, he founded the Indian National Association, which aimed to foster collaboration between different communities in the pursuit of political rights. This initiative marked a crucial step in the early nationalist movement, setting the stage for future political endeavors in India.

Banerjee was also one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress. However, his political journey took a different turn when he supported the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms. Disagreeing with the direction of the Congress, he, along with several liberal leaders, established the Indian National Liberation Federation in 1919, reflecting his commitment to a more progressive approach to India's governance.