The traditional Indian woman is always depicted as humble and submissive, completely focused on her roles as daughter, wife, and mother. However, the image of the warrior woman appears repeatedly in Indian history, beginning with the goddess Durga in Hindu religious mythology and culminating in current times with individuals such as Phoolan Devi, the renowned bandit queen. Subhas Chandra Bose has contributed a lot to the Indian independence movement; one of the most remarkable was the inclusion of women in the Indian National Army (INA). This effort was a radical step toward challenging traditional gender norms and empowering women to actively participate in the fight for India’s freedom.
Women’s role in the freedom struggle before the INA
Before Bose’s initiatives, Indian women’s involvement in the freedom struggle was largely confined to non-violent activities led by Mahatma Gandhi, such as protests, marches, and the Swadeshi movement. While these contributions were significant, they often adhered to traditional societal roles for women. Bose, however, envisioned a more active and militarized role for women, breaking the barriers of conventional norms.
As World War II developed, the Indian women who joined the Indian National Army (INA) in 1942 opted to acknowledge their power and agency as women in a way that reflected that alternate vision. History has largely disregarded these women's gallantry in nationalist efforts to oust the British in colonial India. The issue of gender, as well as the majority of Indian women's illiteracy and low caste, enabled their easy dismissal, and as a result, their fortitude is hardly acknowledged or celebrated.
Formation of the Rani of Jhansi regiment
One of Bose's most remarkable accomplishments was the establishment of the Rani of Jhansi battalion, India's first all-female combat battalion. This regiment was named after Jhansi's fierce warrior queen, Rani Lakshmibai, and represented courage and empowerment. Bose believed that women had an equal stake in the nation's freedom and, as such, should be given equal opportunity to fight for it.
The regiment was formed in 1943 as part of the INA in Singapore. Bose's plea for women to join the regiment was met with enthusiasm, with women from a variety of backgrounds stepping forward. Many of these ladies came from Indian populations in Southeast Asia, specifically Malaya, Singapore, and Burma. Their participation resulted in a substantial shift in society's attitudes toward women's skills and duties.
The Rani of Jhansi Regiment is reported to have consisted of well over 1,000 Indian women, distributed between camps in Singapore, Malaya, and Burma (Myanmar). Only around 20% of the recruits were well-educated women, who went on to become commanding officers. The remaining 80 percents were the wives and daughters of Tamil labourers who worked on Malayan rubber estates and were either illiterate or had only a few years of rudimentary schooling.
From the excerpts from the book ‘Women at War’, “Many of the women who joined the Regiment were from Malaya's huge rubber farms, where they lived and worked in conditions similar to slavery. Sexual abuse by predominantly white estate managers was prevalent. The Rani of Jhansi Regiment provided an environment in which young women felt appreciated and free of the social shame of "coolie" status. With their heads held high, they discovered a level of egalitarianism in the company of their Rani comrades that they had never encountered before. They became soldiers for India's freedom and their own liberty”.
The women who volunteered to join the newly formed Rani of Jhansi Regiment were all quite young, with the majority being in their mid-to-lat teens, and a handful being only 12 or 14 years old. The majority were of impressionable age, with emerging emotions, wants, and love fantasies. Amidst the war, some may have viewed the women's regiment as a safe haven, providing food, shelter, and protection from raiding Japanese forces.
Training and responsibilities
The women in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment underwent rigorous military training, including weapon handling, physical endurance, and guerrilla warfare tactics. These women were trained to fight on the frontlines and were prepared to lay down their lives for the country. Bose’s insistence on equal training for men and women in the INA highlighted his commitment to gender equality.
The regiment’s duties extended beyond combat. They were also involved in nursing, communication, and logistical support, showcasing their versatility and resilience. Bose’s vision was not just to include women as symbolic participants but to ensure they played substantive roles in the struggle.
Rani of Jhansi Regiment: A significant milestone
During the opening of the Rani Jhansi Regiment training camp for the women section of the INA on October 22, 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose stated that the ‘camp was a significant milestone in the movement's advancement in East Asia. We are committed to restoring our nation. "Only through fitness can there be a stirring of new life among our womenfolk."Our past has been great and glorious. Rani of Jhansi was a product of India's rich tradition. Similar to Maitreyi and other ancient figures, we are committed to restoring our nation’. "Only through fitness can there be a stirring of new life among our womenfolk. Rani of Jhansi was a product of India's rich tradition. Similarly to Maitreyi in ancient times, inspiring examples include Ahalyabai of Maharashtra, Rani Bhawani of Bengal, Razia Begum, and Noor Jhan, who were prominent administrators before British control in India. I am confident in India's fecundity. As in the past, it will undoubtedly generate the finest blossoms of femininity.
Legacy of women in the INA
The contributions of the women in the INA, particularly the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, left a lasting impact on India’s independence movement and the broader struggle for women’s rights. Although the INA’s military efforts did not succeed in liberating India, their actions inspired future generations to challenge societal norms and fight for gender equality.
After India’s independence, many women from the INA continued to work toward social and political reform. Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, for instance, became a prominent leader in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and a champion for women’s rights.
