History's outliers
THE WEEK India|December 11, 2022
P. Sainath's new book shines light on the forgotten heroes of the freedom struggle
MANDIRA NAYAR
History's outliers

The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom

By P. Sainath Published by Penguin Random House

Pages 272; Price ₹499

Hausabai Patil set fire to dak bungalows, looted trains and once, in a covert operation, freed her comrade from the clutches of the Portuguese. Part of the Toofan Sena—the armed wing of the provisional government of 600 villages in Satara that overthrew the British government in 1943—she spied on police officers, acted as a decoy and swam across the Mandovi river for a mission. Yet, history has made no space for her. Till now.

This story is from the December 11, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 11, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE WEEK INDIAView All
Ram temple not an issue in south
THE WEEK India

Ram temple not an issue in south

Much has been said this election season about the alleged north-south divide.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Haute and sweaty
THE WEEK India

Haute and sweaty

In Mumbai, where I live and work, there is a severe heatwave going on. The highest temperature this month has been 40 degrees, sweltering and humid for the coastal city.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
MOVE AWAY MARY!
THE WEEK India

MOVE AWAY MARY!

In many parts of the world,unique names are becoming popular

time-read
6 mins  |
May 12, 2024
CALL OF THE WILD
THE WEEK India

CALL OF THE WILD

Tejas Thackeray, the younger son of former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, shares his passion for wildlife conservation and photography

time-read
6 mins  |
May 12, 2024
CEPA and beyond
THE WEEK India

CEPA and beyond

Bilateral trade between the UAE and India has grown almost 16 per cent year-on-year, touching $84.5 billion

time-read
4 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Brash and raw
THE WEEK India

Brash and raw

When I chanced upon Raj Narain, who humbled Indira Gandhi

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Lone voice of dissent
THE WEEK India

Lone voice of dissent

“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Modi and the Muslim syndrome
THE WEEK India

Modi and the Muslim syndrome

I have long been intrigued by the prime minister’s desire to hug every passing sheikh and sultan and his contrasting contempt for the ordinary Indian Muslim.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 12, 2024
Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border
THE WEEK India

Assam Rifles not trained to guard borders; need separate force for Manipur border

Imphal is blanketed in darkness. The sun has set a little too soon in the valley, but N. Biren Singh is yet to call it a day.

time-read
6 mins  |
May 12, 2024
SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS
THE WEEK India

SPOTLIGHT ON THE SENTINELS

Manipur government wants the Assam Rifles replaced, but the Union home ministry is focused on upgrading infrastructure and connectivity before deciding who guards the state

time-read
4 mins  |
May 12, 2024