A review by vani_in_wonderland_
1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny: Last War of Independence, by Pramod Kapoor

informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Here is a history lesson that our schools missed

 

18 Feb 1946

The sailors/ratings of HMIS Talwar, Royal Indian Navy mutinied. The reasons were - pathetic and inhuman service conditions, poor quality of food, blatant racism and broken promises made at the time of recruitment. Taking inspiration from Azad Hind Fauj, about 20,000 men took control over 78 ships and 21 shore establishments. Replaced British ensigns with three flags of the Congress, the Muslim League and the Communists. This was India's Last War of Independence.

 

Panicked Britishers announced a Cabinet Mission presided by Stafford Crips to discuss the transfer of power. Meanwhile they commanded warships and RAF fighter planes to end the rebellion. Indian troops under British refused to fire on the ratings and people came on streets to show their support for rebellions. They were ruthlessly fired upon and caused over 400 deaths and 1500 injured. Greater than the casualties that occurred in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

 

How could an event of such scale, fervour and importance be completely removed from popular narratives of the independence movement.

Where were the supposed stalwarts of Indian Freedom Struggle you might think. Why didn't they come in support of the ratings? Rather popular leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Jinnah persuaded them to surrender with a futile promise that they won't be victimised later. It is a shame that the leaders of the mutiny were not just dismissed with disgrace but received no recognition from the governments of India and Pakistan. Their requests for employment after independence were also snapped citing the same reason. They committed a crime of Patriotism.

 

1946: Last War of Independence by Pramod Kapoor discusses the entire event with its deserved details and context. He shines the light on the secret heroes of the mutiny. The book reflects his research on the topic and provides a comprehensive record of a forgotten episode of Indian History.

 

I’m so glad I got a chance to read this book and I’ll urge everyone to do so too. It was one of the highlights of 2022.The mutineers were once abandoned by those they expected the most from. I hope we don't do the same to them by forgetting their contribution to the freedom we enjoy today. I hope we won't leave them stranded and keep their spirit and valour alive in our memories.