top of page

Lakshmi Sahgal

  • Writer: chanfebe04
    chanfebe04
  • Jul 7
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 14


ree

Dr. Lakshmi Sahgal broke boundaries as both a physician and revolutionary. As a key figure in the Indian National Army under Subhas Chandra Bose, she commanded the all-female Rani of Jhansi Regiment — a radical move in a male-dominated independence movement. Her resistance wasn’t just martial; she later became a symbol of post-war feminist activism and ran for the presidency of India, continually defying political limitations placed on women.


🕊️ LIFE BEFORE THE WAR

  • Born: Lakshmi Swaminathan on October 24, 1914, in Anakkara, Kerala. [1] [2]

  • Family: Her father was a noted criminal lawyer and her mother an independence activist. [1] [2]

  • Upbringing: Raised in a politically active household with exposure to anti‑colonial ideas. [1] [2]

  • Singapore: After a brief marriage, she moved to Singapore in 1940, opened a clinic for poor migrant workers, and became involved in political work by treating POWs. [1] [2] [3]

🕊️ CONTRIBUTIONS TO WWII RESISTANCE IN ASIA

  • Joining the INA: In 1943, after Subhas Chandra Bose arrived in Singapore, she joined the Indian National Army and was appointed commander of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment—the first all‐women combat unit. [1] [2] [4] [5]

  • Leadership: Recruited and trained over 1,000 women, combining military discipline with ideological lessons inspired by Rani Lakshmibai. [1] [2] [4] [5]

  • Field Service: Provided critical medical care under fire during air raids and endured harsh jungle conditions, despite the INA’s strategic retreat in 1944. [1] [2] [3] [4]

  • Capture & Trial: Captured in Burma in 1945; her trial and release became a symbol for Indian nationalists. [1] [4] [6]

🕊️ LIFE AFTER THE WAR

  • Postwar Life: Married Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal and settled in Kanpur, resuming her medical practice with a focus on underserved communities. [1] [2] [3] [7]

  • Political & Social Work: Active in post‑independence politics by joining the Communist Party, co‑founding the All India Democratic Women’s Association, and leading relief efforts during major crises (1971 Bangladesh refugee crisis and the 1984 Bhopal tragedy). [1] [2] [3] [7]

  • Later Years: Ran for the presidency in 2002, continued practicing medicine into her 90s, and passed away in 2012 at age 97. [1] [2] [3] [7]

References

[1] Sahgal, L. (1997). A Revolutionary Life: Memoirs of a Political Activist. Kali for Women.   

[2] The Hindu – "Captain Lakshmi Sahgal (1914–2012): A Life of Struggle". https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/captain-lakshmi-sahgal-1914-2012-a-life-of-struggle/article3672666.ece

[3] Testbook – "Captain Lakshmi Sehgal (1914–2012)". https://testbook.com/ias-preparation/captain-lakshmi-sehgal-1914-2012

[4] Bodhi Journals, Volume 8, Number 2. https://www.bodhijournals.com/pdf/v8n2/bodhi_v8n2_019.pdf

[5] His Majesty’s Opponent: Subhas Chandra Bose and India’s Struggle against Empire. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt24hjbb

[6] "Remembering the Legendary Captain Lakshmi Sahgal". https://newsd.in/remembering-the-legendary-captain-lakshmi-sahgal/

[7] "Capt Lakshmi Sehgal, chief of INA women’s regiment, passes away at 97". https://www.visionmp.com/national/capt-lakshmi-sehgal-chief-of-ina-womens-regiment-passes-away-at-97/

bottom of page