At just 16, when most teens are figuring out school life, Saraswathi Rajamani was risking hers—spying on the British for India’s freedom.
Born in 1927 in Rangoon (now Yangon, Myanmar), Saraswathi came from a wealthy Indian family. Her father, a mine owner, was also a freedom fighter who strongly opposed British rule. Growing up in a home filled with nationalist spirit, Saraswathi was drawn to the idea of independence early on.
Her life changed forever the day she heard Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose speak. His words—“You give me blood, and I will give you freedom”—lit a fire within her. When he asked for donations to fund the Indian National Army (INA), Saraswathi, just 16, stepped forward and donated all her gold jewellery.
When her father questioned her decision, she said,
“Wealth comes and goes, but this is for the country. I gave it with full awareness.”
From that day, she embraced the name Saraswathi as her identity of service.
Determined to do more, she joined the intelligence wing of the INA along with four friends. To avoid suspicion, they dressed as boys and worked as servants in British camps—gathering secret information and smuggling it back to the INA.
For two years, she lived this dangerous double life. In one mission, she dressed as a dancer, got British officers drunk, and rescued a captured spy. But while escaping, she was shot. The bullet left her with a lifelong limp, which she wore with quiet pride.
At 18, she became a Lieutenant in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, INA’s all-women combat unit. After World War II, when the INA was disbanded, Saraswathi and her family returned to India with nothing but memories and a heart full of service.
But her story didn’t end there.
Until her passing in 2018, she quietly stitched clothes for orphaned children, believing true patriotism lies in helping others.
Saraswathi never chased fame. She never expected rewards. Her courage, sacrifice, and humility remain one of India’s most powerful yet lesser-known stories.
She wasn’t just a spy. She was a soldier, a saviour, and a symbol of strength.
India will forever be grateful to Saraswathi Rajamani.