The Rani of Jhansi Regiment was the women’s regiment of the Indian National Army (INA), the armed force formed by Indian nationalists in 1942 in Southeast Asia with the aim of overthrowing the British Raj in colonial India, with Japanese assistance. It was one of the all-female combat regiments of the Second World War on all sides. Led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan (better known as Lakshmi Sahgal), the unit was raised in July 1943 with volunteers from the expatriate Indian population in Southeast Asia. The unit was named the “Rani Jhansi Regiment” after Rani Lakshmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi, a renowned Indian queen and freedom fighter.
Formation and Training
The Rani of Jhansi Regiment was the Women’s Regiment of the Indian National Army, with the aim of overthrowing the British Raj in colonial India. It was one of the all-female combat regiments of the Second World War. Led by Lakshmi Sahgal), the unit was raised in July 1943 with volunteers from the expatriate Indian population in South East Asia.
The unit was named the Rani of Jhansi Regiment after Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose announced the formation of the Regiment on 12 July 1943.Most of the women were teenage volunteers of Indian descent from Malayan rubber derivatives; very few had ever been to India. The initial nucleus of the force was established with its training camp in Singaporewith approximately a hundred and seventy cadets.
The cadets were given ranks of non-commissioned officer or sepoy (private) according to their education. Later, camps were established in Rangoon and Bangkok and by November 1943, the unit had more than three hundred cadets. Training in Singapore began on 23 October 1943.
Combat Training and Action
The recruits were divided into sections and platoons and were accorded ranks of Non-Commissioned Officers and Sepoys according to their educational qualifications. These cadets underwent military and combat training with drills, route marches as well as weapons training in rifles, hand grenades, and bayonet charges. Later, a number of the cadets were chosen for more advanced training in jungle warfare in Burma.
The Regiment had its first passing out parade at the Singapore training camp of five hundred troops on 30 March 1944. Some 200 of the cadets were also chosen for nursing training, forming the Chand Bibi Nursing Corps.
During the INA’s Imphal campaign, an initial contingent of nearly a hundred of the Rani of Jhansi troops moved to Maymyo, part of which was intended to form a vanguard unit to enter the Gangetic plains of Bengal after the expected fall of Imphal.
However, following the failure of the siege of Imphal and the INA’s disastrous retreat, the Rani troops were tasked with coordinating the relief and care of the INA troops who arrived at Monywa and Maymyo, and were not used in combat.
Retreat and Disbandment
After the fall of Rangoon and the withdrawal of the Azad Hind government and Subhas Chandra Bose from the city and through Burma, the troops originally from Burma were allowed to disband, while the remainder of the regiment retreated along with the retreating Japanese forces on foot and, when available, on mechanised transport.
During the retreat, it suffered some attacks both, from Allied air attacks, as well the Burmese resistance forces. The total number of casualties suffered is not known. The unit later disbanded.
The Rani of Jhansi Regiment was a unique and pioneering all-female combat regiment that played a significant role in the Indian National Army’s efforts to overthrow the British Raj in colonial India. Though the regiment did not see significant combat action, it was a symbol of the dedication and bravery of young Indian women who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of their country. The legacy of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment continues to be an inspiration for women’s empowerment and the fight for independence.
