Ranis of pre-Independence:

Introduction:

 “Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?” What we enjoy today was paid long back in the past. Being under the British rule for about 200 years, through bloodsheds and movements started by the freedom fighters, India got its freedom. The talk about Independence remains incomplete without mentioning the contributions of courageous women and their intense patriotism. Their selfless hard works were seldom talked and overlooked.The remarkable story of these women deserves to be known wide.

The Defining Moment- Rani of Jhansi Regiment:

Writing about Rani of Jhansi Regiment (RJR) without mentioning Indian National Army is impossible. The most daring and charismatic leader of all time, a hero to many in India Subhas Chandra Bose gave a widespread call for women in 1943 to fight for Azad Hind Movement. Many women grabbed this chance something that was denied to them at that time. Apart from all those controversies and scepticism, Rani of Jhansi Regiment became an intrinsic part in Indian National Army. It was a genuine attempt to shape women and had a psychological effect on women says Captain Lakshmi Sahgal.

Gandhiji and Nethaji:

Both M. K. Gandhi and S. C. Bose were legendary heroes of India. Yet their means to seek freedom differed. Bose was twenty eight years younger than Gandhiji. His vision for women empowerment differs vastly from Gandhi's. Bose wanted women to break both imperialism and patriarchy whereas Gandhi wants them to serve keeping their womanhood. Bose being from Bengal, a state that encouraged women’s empowerment led him to create female regiment. Nethaji saw women as the vanguard. Thus, all those women of Rani of Jhansi Regiment became the Ranis of pre-Independence.

All Women’s Regiment:

July 12, 1943 was definitely a milestone in India’s freedom struggle history. It was then; Bose announced the formation of Rani of Jhansi Regiment. In an English article, after the 1857 revolt, it was stated that ‘if there were thousand women like Rani, we could have never conquered India. This made him to chose that particular name for the female regiment.

“This must be a truly revolutionary army... I am appealing also to women... Women must be prepared to fight for their freedom and for independence along with independence they will get their own emancipation”

These words of Bose ceased women to fight for their liberty and their nation’s.All Indian women, even those who were settled in other colonies under British rule responded to his call. They were urged to step into the forbidden world and to work alongside with men for the freedom of their motherland.

The 2D's - Diversity and Diaspora:

One of the major aspects of Rani of Jhansi Regiment is its diversity. In a class- and caste- ridden India, the sense of oneness is difficult to accomplish. But Bose through his leadership fostered it by ordering them to eat and live together irrespective of their differences. Most of them were from out of India and were diasporic. They even took efforts to learn Hindustani to have efficient communication with each other. They were united by their burning desire to serve for their nation. 

Life of Ranis in Camp:

All those women who volunteered in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment stood up against British by breaking stereotypes. Only 20% of them were well educated. Most of the them were in their mid or late teens and were working in the estates under colonial rule. For them, it was a chance to gain self respect for the first time. Based on their educational qualification, they were given ranks. The force was given its first training on Singapore with approximately one hundred and seventy cadets. Later similar such camps were organized at Rangoon and Bangkok.There was no discrimination in the training given. They underwent both military and combat training the same as male INA's. Though it was painful, they got adapted quickly. Few were taken in for Jungle warfare, a more advanced training. With a unit of five hundred troops, the regiment had its first passing parade at Singapore camp on March 1944.

Reminiscing the Rani's:

In their new role, they were soldiers first, being a woman became secondary. In the regiment, they found pride and dignity which was contradictory to the treatment they received prior in the estates were they have been exploited. After a defeat in Burma, Bose ordered them to return. Not willing to retreat, they signed a petition in their blood saying,

“We shall sacrifice the last drop of our blood for the cause of our motherland"

They stayed back to treat the wounded soldiers in the hospitals. The all women’s regiment is famous for not having a single deserter or traitor. Though they were not sent to the frontier, they remained active -always expecting to give their best for their nation.

The Unforgettable Forgotten History:

At the end of the war, the Indian National Army was dissolved. Unfortunately majority of those venturesome women returned to their same non emancipated state. It is sad that all their toils have been forgotten. Being established itself is of much importance than being small and not seen in action. They entered a situation where patriarchy was at its peak. The issue of gender, illiteracy, caste discrimination results in their courage being celebrated and known to the least. Although the Ranis returned home, the seed for change might have been sown by them to their future generations.

Conclusion:

We have to remember that in India back then, it was unimaginable for a woman to chop of their hair which is a sign of beauty to shoulder length and to wear khaki shorts which makes it a defining moment in India’s freedom movement. All those struggles and story got lost somehow. They have become forgotten and less remembered. We people often take freedom for granted. But it has costs number of lives. 

‘Fighting to gain freedom is less difficult than fighting to keep freedom’.

Do watch 'The Forgotten Army'- an amazon prime series for more true facts about INA and RJR.