One Of India’s Bravest Spies Was A 16-Year-Old Girl

“Violence is not the answer, little girl. We are fighting the British through non-violent ways. You should also do that,” said Mahatma Gandhi to a 10-year-old Indian girl living in Rangoon. “We shoot and kill the looters, don’t we? The British are looting India, and I am going to shoot at least one Britisher when I grow up,” the young girl responded. Her name was Saraswathi Rajamani, and she grew up to be India’s youngest spy and an adamant freedom fighter. Like many of India’s heroes of yesteryear the memory of her bravery has waned into the dim recesses of historical archives for many, yet the few that remember her are proud to regal the stories of gumption, tenacity and vehement dreams of freedom that surrond the journey of India’s youngest spy.

Negotiating With Netaji

Saraswathi’s story begins in a Burmese mansion where she grew up. Her family hailed from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, and were comfortably placed in the upper echelons of society. However, their open support for the liberation of India meant life in exile, away from British persecution. During the fight for freedom it was more common for the poor to bleed in battle and only the pens of the rich to bleed ink while writing cheques – Saraswathi was not of that nature.

While her family supported the freedom movement through their finances, she instead aspired to pay her dues by fighting on the front lines. The man who fanned Saraswathi’s burning desire to proactively fight for freedom was Subhash Chandra Bose. His words framed her emotions and directed her passionate need to fight for the dream of an independent India.

During the apex of WWII, Bose made an official trip to Burma to recruit troops and collect donations for the army. Saraswathi was so moved by his speech she removed her expensive jewellery and handed it over for the cause. Such a substantial donation did not go unnoticed by Bose, who was familiar with her father, given his economic support of the revolution. He tried to return the jewellery to her father, but instead he had to face a speech of equal fervour from young Saraswathi. She not only forced Bose into keeping the donation, but also convinced the leader of the revolution to recruit her along with four of her friends.

Bose realised he was not only in the company of an amazingly audacious orator, but one with pure, albeit ardent intentions.

By the time Bose could get a few words in they rang of praise for the young daughter of India. “Lakshmi (money) comes and goes but not Saraswathi. You have the wisdom of Saraswathi. Hence, I name you Saraswathi.” Upon the next day she and her friends became a part of INA’s intelligence wing .

Masquerading As A Man And Near Martyrdom

The group of young spies dressed up as men and enlisted themselves as errand boys at British Military camps for a period of two years, tasked with the integral role of providing essential information to the Indian National Army (INA). Nevertheless, covert operations are a difficult masquerade, which lead to the capture of a fellow spy.

Loyalty would not be lost upon Saraswathi whose story enters the realm of Hollywood screen play. The young girl dressed up as a dancing girl, charmed the guards, infiltrated the prison, drugged the guards and freed the captured spy. During their escape British gunfire struck Saraswathi in the left leg. She and her companion hid away in a tree for three days as they waited out British search parties.

Such a span of time without treatment rendered her left leg with a permanent limp, but more importantly, an everlasting sense of pride. As a child she dreamt of shooting a bullet for her country, but in the end her destiny brought her to a more noble and patriotic act - she took a bullet for her country.

From War Hero To Zero

Saraswathi was presented with a medal from the Japanese emperor in person and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in INA’s Rani of Jhansi Brigade. However, the loss of the war and the fact that her family went broke while financially supporting the INA her family returned to South India penniless.

For a long time Saraswathi lived out her days in a one room apartment in Chennai, unrecognised for giving everything she had given, and receiving nothing in return. Upon recently hearing her story a Tamil Nadu Chief Minister allocated her a space in an old house. Her memory now withers in a room full of monochrome portraits of Bose decorating her peeling walls. Thank you for your service Mrs. Saraswathi Rajamani.