Captain Lakshmi Sahgal

Not all heroes wear uniforms—some wear sarees, carry stethoscopes, and raise guns in the name of justice. Captain Lakshmi Sahgal was one such extraordinary woman who shattered stereotypes, challenged the British Empire, and became a symbol of fearless patriotism.

Lakshmi Sahgal was born as Lakshmi Swaminathan on October 24, 1914, in Madras (now Chennai). Her father, S. Swaminathan, was a brilliant lawyer, and her mother, Ammu Swaminathan, was a social activist who believed in women’s rights and India's freedom. This powerful combination gave young Lakshmi both the voice to question injustice and the courage to fight it.

From a young age, Lakshmi was exposed to political discussions, community service, and the idea of an India free from colonial chains. She grew up not only with ambition but with a deep-rooted sense of responsibility toward the oppressed.

Doctor by Profession, Revolutionary by Soul

Lakshmi pursued medicine at the Madras Medical College, and by 1938, she had earned her MBBS degree along with a specialization in gynecology and obstetrics. Her career could have followed a quiet, comfortable path. But destiny had a different plan.

In 1940, she moved to Singapore, where thousands of Indians were working under difficult conditions. Here, Lakshmi began treating poor laborers, gaining admiration and trust from the local Indian community.

But when World War II began affecting Southeast Asia, the fight for Indian independence found a new battleground. And Lakshmi was ready.

The INA and a Historic Turning Point

In 1942, when Singapore fell to the Japanese, thousands of Indian soldiers of the British army became prisoners of war. Subhas Chandra Bose, who had been rallying support for armed struggle against British rule, arrived in Singapore to lead the Indian National Army (INA). His arrival electrified Indians in the region.

Lakshmi met Netaji and expressed her desire to fight actively for India’s freedom. Impressed by her determination, leadership qualities, and medical experience, Netaji entrusted her with an ambitious and historic responsibility—the creation of a women’s combat regiment.

Rani Jhansi Regiment: Women Who Wore Courage

Thus was born the Rani Jhansi Regiment, named after the fearless queen who fought the British in 1857. Lakshmi Sahgal became its commander, and from that day, she was popularly known as Captain Lakshmi.

Young women from Indian communities in Malaya, Burma, and Singapore enrolled enthusiastically. They underwent intense training in warfare, including using rifles, military drills, jungle survival, and first aid.

Captain Lakshmi transformed these ordinary women into soldiers with purpose and pride. She led them not only as a commander but also as a doctor, mentor, and role model. She proved that patriotism had no gender.

March to India: A Journey of Hope and Resistance

In 1944, the INA launched its campaign to enter India through Burma (now Myanmar). The Rani Jhansi Regiment marched alongside, braving enemy air raids, dense jungles, and rough terrain. Although the INA was eventually forced to retreat due to the collapse of Japanese forces, the courage shown by the women of the Rani Jhansi Regiment left a lasting impact.

Captain Lakshmi also tended to wounded soldiers on the battlefield. She defied gender roles, not by words but through action, commanding respect from all ranks.

Arrest and Aftermath: From Fighter to Freedom Icon

When the INA campaign ended, British forces captured many of its leaders. Captain Lakshmi was arrested in Burma in 1945 and brought to India. Her trial was widely followed, and protests erupted across the country. People saw the INA not as traitors, as the British claimed, but as true patriots.

Faced with mounting public anger, the British had no choice but to release the prisoners. The INA may not have achieved military victory, but it had ignited the final flame of India’s independence, which came just two years later in 1947.

Life in Independent India: From Revolution to Service

After independence, Lakshmi Sahgal married Prem Kumar Sahgal, a fellow INA officer, and moved to Kanpur. There, she resumed her medical practice, offering low-cost and free treatment to the poor, especially women and children.

But Lakshmi Sahgal did not stop at healing bodies—she began working to heal society. She joined leftist politics and became a senior member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). She played a central role in the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), championing gender equality, labor rights, and secularism.

She was a familiar face at protests, relief camps, and medical missions, whether it was helping victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy, riots, or natural disasters. Even in her 80s, she continued to serve the nation with humility.

Presidential Nominee: A Recognition of Values

In 2002, the Left parties of India nominated Lakshmi Sahgal for the post of President of India. At 88 years old, she stood as the voice of conscience, simplicity, and sacrifice, running against the renowned scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Although she did not win the election, her nomination was a symbolic victory—a salute to a life of commitment, struggle, and service.

Personal Life: A Woman of Simplicity and Discipline

Despite her global recognition and towering legacy, Lakshmi Sahgal led a simple and disciplined life. She lived in a modest home, maintained a daily routine of reading, walking, and attending patients. She raised two daughters, including the renowned Subhashini Ali, who followed in her mother’s footsteps as an activist.

She remained politically alert, socially active, and always stood for the marginalized, never compromising on her principles.

Death and Immortality

Captain Lakshmi Sahgal passed away on July 23, 2012, at the age of 97, after suffering a cardiac arrest. Her body was donated to medical research, as per her wishes—a final act of giving.

Tributes poured in from all corners of the nation. From political leaders to students, women’s groups to veterans, everyone remembered her as a soldier who never laid down her arms—not even after independence.

Enduring Legacy: A Torch for Future Generations

Captain Lakshmi Sahgal’s story is not just part of India’s past—it is a blueprint for India’s future. Her life teaches us:

• Women can be warriors and leaders, not just caregivers or homemakers.

• Service to the nation goes beyond the battlefield—it lies in hospitals, streets, and communities.

• True patriotism means standing up for justice, even when it is unpopular or difficult.

Today, her name is taught in schools, remembered in memorials, and celebrated in discussions about gender equality, freedom, and national service.

Why We Must Remember Her

In an age of rapid change and complex challenges, the life of Lakshmi Sahgal reminds us of courage without ego, leadership without power hunger, and service without limits. She was a revolutionary in the truest sense—someone who changed the rules, not just followed them.

As a doctor, she healed. As a soldier, she fought. As a citizen, she served. And as a woman, she inspired millions.

Captain Lakshmi Sahgal didn’t just belong to India’s past—she belongs to India’s soul.