Neera Arya: A Forgotten Revolutionary of The Indian Freedom Struggle

Abstract

The glorious story of India’s independence is filled with many forgotten heroes and heroines who sacrificed everything in the Indian freedom struggle, but after independence they had to live a life of anonymity in the country. Captain Neera Arya of the Rani Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) was one such great patriot, courageous, freedom fighter and heroine. To save the life of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, she killed her husband who had shot at him. In view of her unimaginable and unique courage, Subhash Chandra Bose addressed Neera Arya as 'Neera-Nagini'. Hence, she is also known as Neera Nagini. After the surrender of the Indian National Army, when the trial was held in Red Fort of Delhi, all the prisoners were freed. But she was punished for the murder of her British-loyal police officer husband and was sentenced to Kala Pani imprisonment, where she had to endure severe torture. She is considered the country's first female spy. After the country gained independence, Neera Arya lived an anonymous, miserable and helpless life by selling flowers on the roadside in Hyderabad, but did not accept any kind of government assistance or pension. Women of Hyderabad used to call her ‘Pedamma’. There is also an epic on her life named 'Neera Nagini'. His younger brother Basant Kumar was also a freedom fighter of the Indian National Army, who lived the life of an ascetic after independence. Many folk singers have written poetry collections and hymns on the life of Neera Arya and her brother Basant Kumar. She has also written about her role in the Indian freedom struggle in the form of her autobiography. Her autobiography also mentions incidents of inhuman treatment meted out to her by the Britishers during her imprisonment in Kala Pani. He shared many incidents of his life and freedom struggle with Hindi-Urdu writer Madhu Dhama. She has also written a novel based on the personal experience narrated by Neera Arya, in which her contribution to the Indian freedom struggle has been highlighted.

Objective of The Study- The objective of this research paper is to study the role and contribution of Neera Arya in the Indian freedom struggle.