India's struggle for independence was long and onerous, in which many brave people died anonymously. Apart from some known, many freedom fighters did nameless acts of service for our independence, and one lesser-known was Neera Arya, an unsung warrior of the INA(Indian national army). Neera Arya was known as the first woman spy in the Indian national army, a soldier in the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Indian Army.

 

Who was Neera Arya?

Neera Arya was born on March 5, 1902, in Khekra, Baghpat district, Uttar Pradesh. Neera Arya was the daughter of renowned businessman Seth Chhajumal. When she was born, Britishers ruled India, and her actions from an early age demonstrated her love for the country because she participated in several liberation campaigns during her childhood.

Neera's father quickly found a suitable match for her, and she got married to an investigation officer, Shrikant Jairanjan Das, in British India. 

Soon after their marriage, neera's and her husband's profession became the source of contention between them. Her spouse was a faithful British servant because he worked for the British government, whereas Neera desired independence for her country from the British.

An Unsung warrior of the INA

Because of her patriotism, Neera joined the Jhansi Regiment under Azad Hind Fauj after her marriage. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose founded this regiment. This regiment was part of the country's liberation movement.

On October 21, 1943, the Indian National Army (INA), also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, was created in Singapore. This organization was motivated by the ideas of Azad Hind's founder, Subhas Chandra Bose. The army was founded in 1942 by Mohan Singh to expel the British empire from India.

Country comes before kin

When Neera's husband learned about Subhash Chandra Bose's INA Army and Neera's role in it, he attempted to get Subhash Chandra Bose's secrets since Shrikant Jairanjan Das had been instructed to spy on Netaji and assassinate him.

Neera, on the other hand, assured that she would be a real patriot, saving Azad Hind Fauj and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at whatever cost.

When her husband attempted to assassinate Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, she killed him by stabbing him and saved Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

INA'S First woman spy

She was condemned to life in prison for the murder of a British government employee. According to sources, Neera was tortured every day and offered bribes to reveal information on the INC's leaders, particularly Subhash Chandra Bose; if she did, she would be granted free. Her passion for the country, however, did not cease with this difficult moment. 

According to historical accounts, Neera battles for the country and has her breasts severed because she refuses to reveal Subhas Chandra Bose's location.  

Despite extensive torture, Neera Arya stayed faithful to the nation and Subhas Chandra Bose, becoming the Azad Hind Fauj's first female spy.

Neera Arya, known as the INA's first lady spy, was freed from prison following the country's independence. She lived in Hyderabad for the remainder of her life, where she died in 1998.