Another find from the National Archives is this announcement published by the India Independence League (IIL) upon the formation of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment in Singapore (Syonan) in July 1943. Source: National Archives of India (PP_000002998333) THE RANI OF JHANSI REGIMENT A small group of 40 women, women from all walks of life and […]
Thoughts on Writing, Translation & the INA
List of Rani of Jhansi Regiment Members (INA / Azad Hind Fauj)
While everyone knows about Capt (Dr) Lakshmi Swaminathan (Sahgal) of Netaji’s Rani of Jhansi Regiment, I don’t think enough work has been done to identify the other members of the Rani Jhansi Regiment. Ranis mentioned in The War Diary of Asha-San Other Ranis of the Rani Jhansi Regiment I have not vetted this list. I […]
Lt Pratima Dasgupta (Pratima Paul) of the Rani Jhansi Regiment
While researching for my next book on Anand Mohan Sahay and Sati Sahay, I often stumble upon interesting archival material related to the INA or the Rani Jhansi Regiment. To help researchers, historians, and veterans’ families, I am sharing everything I find on this blog. Hopefully, it will be of help to some of you. […]
Japan Honours INA (Indian National Army) Veteran Lt. Bharati Asha “Asako” Sahay Choudhry
Courtesy: JapanCalling.in The life and legacy of Lt. Bharati Asha “Asako” Sahay Choudhry, a revered Indian National Army (INA) veteran and a lifelong symbol of India–Japan friendship, were formally honoured at a Commendation Ceremony held at the Embassy of Japan in India on December 17, 2025. Organised by the Embassy of Japan, the ceremony brought together […]
Debnath Das of The INA / Indian Independence League (IIL)
Debnath Das was a close associate of Anand Mohan Sahay in Japan. He is mentioned frequently in Sahay’s memoir Stirring Times and is also mentioned by Lt Bharati ‘Asha’ Sahay in her diary as “Das Kaka”. Prior to his arrival in Thailand, he was in Japan and worked closely with Sahay and Rash Bihari Bose. […]
Best Books of 2023 (A Reading List)
A list of all the books I’ve read in 2023 with two-line reviews. The books (mostly fiction) are listed in reverse chronology. Hopefully, you will find some interesting gems in this list. 1. The Corfu Trilogy — By Gerald Durrell Two-line review: British humour tinged with racism and a lot of natural history. The childhood island […]