Meet Saraswathi Rajamani: India’s First Female Spy

Meet Saraswathi Rajamani: India’s First Female Spy during Freedom Struggle

Discover the inspiring story of Saraswathi Rajamani, one of India’s youngest freedom fighters, who bravely served as a spy in the Indian National Army during the struggle for independence.

Context: Saraswathi Rajamani was India’s first female spy during the freedom struggle.

About Saraswathi Rajamani

Saraswathi Rajamani was born on 11 January 1927 in Rangoon (now Yangon), Burma, into a wealthy, freedom-fighter family.
At age 10, she impressed Mahatma Gandhi by firing a gun and boldly declaring her intent to “shoot the British”.
Deeply inspired by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at age 16, she donated all her gold and diamond jewelry to the INA and was personally renamed “Saraswathi” by him.
Joined the Rani of Jhansi Regiment and became India’s first female spy, adopting the alias “Mani” and disguising herself as a boy.

Operated covertly in British camps, intercepting orders and intelligence for the INA over a span of two years.
Executed a daring rescue of a fellow spy while disguised as a dancer; she subdued officers, escaped under gunfire, and sustained a leg injury that left her with a permanent bullet-wounded limp.
Awarded a medal by the Japanese emperor and the rank of Lieutenant in the INA’s Rani of Jhansi Brigade.
After the INA disbanded, she returned to India in near poverty and lived modestly in Chennai; in 2005, TN CM Jayalalithaa provided her a home and financial aid.
Passed away on 13 January 2018 in Chennai, her extraordinary life later revived through articles, films, and educational features.
As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, 10-year-old twin sisters Devyani and Shivranjani wrote an illustrated book on Saraswati Rajamani, India’s youngest female spy.