Sarojini Naidu Family Tree: The Story Behind The Nightingale of India

Sarojini Naidu (née Chattopadhyay), born 13 February 1879 in Hyderabad, Hyderabad State, British India, was an Indian poet and freedom fighter — President of the Indian National Congress (1925), the first Indian woman ever to hold that office; first woman Governor of the United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh) from 15 August 1947 until her death. Known as "The Nightingale of India" for her English-language poetry. She died 2 March 1949 at the UP Governor's residence in Lucknow at age 70.

The Family's Roots: A Bengali Hindu Family in Hyderabad

The Chattopadhyay family was a distinguished Bengali Hindu family that had settled in Hyderabad.

Her Parents

Father: Dr. Aghorenath Chattopadhyay (1851–1915) — Bengali scientist and educator; first principal of Nizam College, Hyderabad (1878); held a DSc from Edinburgh; was the Nizam's councillor and a pioneering Bengali educationist in Hyderabad.

Mother: Barada Sundari Devi Chattopadhyay — Bengali poet in her own right.

Her Siblings

Sarojini was one of eight children:

Virendranath Chattopadhyay (1880–1937) — younger brother; revolutionary; spent decades in Berlin organising anti-British exile politics; later worked for the Comintern in the USSR; executed in Stalin's Great Purge in 1937.

Harindranath Chattopadhyay (1898–1990) — younger brother; English-language poet, playwright, and actor (Indian films Tere Ghar Ke Saamne, Bawarchi); MP from Vijayawada 1952–57; Padma Bhushan 1973.

Mrinalini Chattopadhyay — younger sister; educationist.

Sunalini Devi Chattopadhyay — younger sister.

Plus three other siblings.

Her Husband: Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu

Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu — Telugu Andhra physician; married Sarojini in 1898 in a high-profile inter-caste, inter-regional marriage that was widely covered (Sarojini was Bengali Brahmin; Govindarajulu was non-Brahmin Telugu — an extraordinary union for the time).

Their Children

Jayasurya Naidu — son.

Padmaja Naidu (1900–1975) — daughter; politician; Governor of West Bengal (1956–67) — first woman Governor of West Bengal; Padma Vibhushan 1956.

Randheer Naidu — son.

Leilamani Naidu — daughter.

The Chattopadhyay–Naidu Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Bengali Brahmin; Hyderabad.

Father: Dr. Aghorenath Chattopadhyay (1851–1915) — Nizam College principal; Bengali scientist-educator in Hyderabad.

Mother: Barada Sundari Devi — Bengali poet.

Siblings: 7 — most notably Virendranath (1880–1937, revolutionary exile) and Harindranath (1898–1990, MP/poet).

Husband: Dr. Govindarajulu Naidu — Telugu physician (m. 1898 — inter-caste, inter-regional).

Children: Jayasurya; Padmaja (1900–1975, West Bengal Governor); Randheer; Leilamani.

Sarojini Naidu:

  • Born 13 February 1879, Hyderabad
  • Madras University (passed matriculation at age 12)
  • King's College, London (1895–98); Girton College, Cambridge (briefly) — funded by the Nizam of Hyderabad
  • The Golden Threshold (1905) — first poetry collection
  • The Bird of Time (1912); The Broken Wing (1917); The Sceptred Flute (1928)
  • Indian National Congress: from 1904; founder member of the Women's Indian Association (1917)
  • Annie Besant, Gandhi, Gokhale, Tilak — close associates
  • President of the Indian National Congress: Kanpur 1925 — first Indian woman ever
  • Salt Satyagraha: 1930 — co-leader at Dharasana with Gandhi; arrested multiple times
  • Round Table Conference: 1931 (London)
  • Quit India Movement 1942: imprisoned for 21 months at the Aga Khan Palace, Pune (with Gandhi)
  • First Governor of the United Provinces: 15 August 1947 – 2 March 1949
  • Died 2 March 1949, Lucknow

What the Chattopadhyay–Naidu Family Story Teaches Us

A Bengali scientist-educator father at Nizam College. A Bengali-poet mother. Seven siblings, two of them national figures themselves (one a revolutionary executed in Stalin's purge; one an MP and poet). An inter-caste, inter-regional marriage to a Telugu physician. Four children — one a future West Bengal Governor.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Sarojini story carries the same lesson. Some families produce multiple women in positions of historic firstness. The Naidu family record holds the first woman INC President (Sarojini, 1925) AND the first woman Governor of West Bengal (her daughter Padmaja, 1956). Write down which generations broke which barriers. The repetition matters.

👉 Start building your family legacy today with Family Root App

📜 Disclaimer The family tree and biographical information provided in this article are based on publicly available historical sources and records. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or authenticity of all data. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. If you believe any information is incorrect or wish to request edits or removal, please contact us at Info@familyrootapp.com.