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Lakshmi Sahgal was an Indian revolutionary of the Independence Movement and an officer of the Indian National Army, she was also the Minister Of Women’s Affairs in the Azad Hind Government. In India, she is referred to as Captain Lakshmi. Read this blog to learn more about Lakshmi Sahgal and her contribution to the independence movement.
Table of Contents
Overview of the life of Lakshmi Sahgal
| Aspect | Description |
| Life | 1914-2012 |
| Occupation | INA officer, Doctor |
| Known For | Leading role in the Indian independence movement, Captain in the Azad Hind Fauj (INA) |
| Early Life | Born in Meerut, IndiaStudied Medicine at the King Edward Medical College |
| Revolutionary Activities | Joined the Indian National Congress Worked with leftist groups Became a close associate of Subhash Chandra Bose |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan |
Also read: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Life, Contributions, Impact
Lakshmi Sahgal: Early Life and Political Journey
Lakshmi Sahgal was born on October 24, 1914.
- She was born to S. Swaminathan, a lawyer who used to practice criminal law at Madras High Court, and A.V. Ammukutty, a social worker and an independent activist.
- Later, Lakshmi decided to pursue a career in medicine and graduated with an MBBS from Madras Medical College in 1938 after attending Queen Mary’s College.
- After her marriage to pilot P.K.N. Rao failed, she went to Singapore in 1940. She had the opportunity to meet a few Indian National Army soldiers under Subhas Chandra Bose while she was in Singapore.
- The Provisional Government of Free India, headed by Subash Chandra Bose in Singapore, had Captain Lakshmi as its Minister in Charge of Women’s Organizations.
- Lakshmi joined the Communist Party of India and represented the party in the Rajya Sabha in 1971.
- She started many organization’s initiatives and campaigns as one of the original members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association in 1981.
Lakshmi Sahgal’s Role In the Indian Army
When Lakshmi Sahgal was living in Singapore, she came in contact with the members of the Azad Hind Fauj, and several things were carried out by Lakshmi Sahgal in the Indian Army, some of which are as follows:
| Role | Description |
| Officer | Held the rank of Captain and later Colonel in the INA. |
| Rani of Jhansi Regiment | Played a pivotal role in establishing and leading the first all-women infantry regiment in Asia as part of the INA. |
| Recruiter | Actively recruited women into the INA starting in 1943. |
| Minister of Women’s Affairs | Served in the Azad Hind government formed by Subhas Chandra Bose. |
Also Read – Sarojini Naidu: Biography, Education, Quotes, Poems
Later Years Of Lakshmi Sahgal
| Year | Event | Description |
| 1947 | Marriage & Personal Life | She married Prem Kumar Sahgal and settled in Kanpur. She had two daughters, Subhashini Ali and Anisa Puri. |
| 1947 (post-partition) | Humanitarian Work | She used her medical expertise to help refugees arriving due to the Partition of India. |
| 1971 | Political Activism | Joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist). |
| 1971 (Bangladesh Crisis) | Relief Efforts | Organized relief camps and medical aid for refugees from Bangladesh in Calcutta. |
| 1981 | Women’s Rights Activism | She became the founding member of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA). |
| 1984 (Bhopal Gas Tragedy) | Medical Support | Led a medical team to provide aid in Bhopal after the gas tragedy. |
| 1984 (Anti-Sikh Riots) | Peace Efforts | Worked towards restoring peace and harmony in Kanpur following the anti-Sikh riots. |
| 1996 | Activism & Arrest | She participated in a protest against the Miss World competition in Bangalore and was arrested. |
| Up to 2006 | Continued Medical Practice | She continued to see patients at her clinic in Kanpur well into her 90s. |
| 1998 | Recognition | Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors. |
| 2002 | Politics | Ran for President of India as the sole challenger to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. |
| 2012 | Death | Passed away in Kanpur at the age of 97. |
FAQs
Lakshmi Sahgal was born on October 24, 1914.
She was an officer in the Indian National Army (INA) and a doctor.
She is known for her leadership in the Indian independence movement and as a Captain in the Azad Hind Fauj (INA).
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