Born to an extremely wealthy Parsi business family, Bhikaiji Cama (née Patel) received her early education in Bombay (now Mumbai). Influenced by an environment in which the Indian nationalist movement was taking root, she was drawn toward political issues at an early age. In 1885 she married Rustomji Cama, a well-known lawyer, but her involvement with sociopolitical issues led to differences between the couple. Because of marital problems and her poor health, which required medical attention, Cama left India for London.
It was in London that Bhikaji Cama met Dadabhai Naoroji and inspired by his ideals plunged into the freedom movement. She also began to meet with other Indian nationalists like Shyamji Varma, Lala Hardayal, and soon became one of the active members of the movement. She began to publish booklets for the Indian community in England, propagating the cause of Swaraj. “March forward! We are for India. India is for Indians!” she defiantly declared. She also toured US, where she gave speeches on the ill effects of British rule, and urged Americans to support the cause of India’s freedom.
Madam Bhikaiji Cama became the first person to hoist the Indian flag in foreign land on 22 August 1907. While unfurling the flag at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, she appealed for equality and autonomy from the British which had taken over the Indian sub-continent.
Alizaliwa katika familia tajiri sana ya wafanyabiashara wa Parsi, Bhikaiji Cama (mzaliwa Patel) alipokea elimu yake ya mapema huko Bombay (sasa Mumbai). Akiwa ameathiriwa na mazingira ambayo harakati ya kitaifa ya India ilikuwa ikianza mizizi, alivutiwa na masuala ya kisiasa akiwa na umri mdogo. Mwaka 1885 aliolewa na Rustamji Kama, mwanasheria mashuhuri, lakini kuhusika kwake na masuala ya kijamii na kisiasa kulisababisha tofauti kati ya wanandoa hao. Kwa sababu ya matatizo ya ndoa na afya yake mbaya, ambayo ilihitaji matibabu, Cama aliondoka India kwenda London. Ni huko London ambapo Bhikaji Cama alikutana na Dadabhai Naoroji na kuchochewa na mawazo yake akaingia katika harakati ya uhuru. Alianza kukutana na wanamgambo wengine wa kitaifa kama vile Shyamji Varma, Lala Hardal na hivi karibuni akawa mmoja wa wanachama wa harakati. Alianza kuchapisha vijitabu kwa ajili ya jamii ya Wahindi nchini Uingereza, akitangaza sababu ya Swaraj. <unk>Songa mbele! Sisi ni kwa ajili ya India. India ni kwa Wahindi! <unk> yeye defiantly alitangaza. Pia alizuru Marekani, ambapo alitoa hotuba juu ya athari mbaya za utawala wa Uingereza, na aliwahimiza Wamarekani kuunga mkono sababu ya uhuru wa India. Mnamo tarehe 22 Agosti 1907, Bhikkhuji Kama alikuwa mtu wa kwanza kupaaza bendera ya India katika nchi ya kigeni. Alipokuwa akifungua bendera katika Mkutano wa Kimataifa wa Kisoshalisti huko Stuttgart, Ujerumani, aliomba usawa na uhuru kutoka kwa Waingereza ambao walikuwa wamechukua bara la India.