Unsung Heroes | History Corner | Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India

Unsung Heroes Detail

Paying tribute to India’s freedom fighters

Kadar Baksh

South Andaman, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

August 05, 2022

Kadar Baksh, son of Allah Baksh was born on 08 January 1915 in Port Blair.

During the Second World War in March 1942, the Japanese landed at different parts of the Andaman Islands and forthwith occupied the entire populated and administrative parts of the Andaman Islands. The prominent residents initially constituted the Andaman branch of the Indian Independence League in April 1942 following the path of Rash Behari Bose. In June 1942 the Indian National Army (INA) was also formed in the Andaman joined by the prominent residents of the islands. Kadar Baksh was among those residents to join the INA. After joining, he took an active part in various activities of the Indian National Army (INA).

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose arrived in the Andaman Islands on 29 December 1943. He received Guard of Honor in the form of a parade by the INA members at the Lamba Line airport on his arrival. The next day, on 30 December at Gymkhana Ground of Port Blair he hoisted the Indian flag for the first time in the history of India’s freedom struggle. On this day too, the INA members presented Parade in respect of him. Netaji left Andaman on 31 December 1943. Kadar Baksh and other the Indian National Army (INA) and IIL members were actively involved in functions of the Indian National Army (INA) during the stay of Netaji.

Netaji sent Major General Arcot Doraiswamy Loganadan to Andaman. He arrived on 18 February 1944 in the Andamans as Chief Commissioner of Azad Hind Government of Andaman and Nicobar Islands appointed by Netaji. He was accompanied by his staff consisting of Major Mansoor Ali Alvi, Lieutenant Mohammed Iqbal, Lt. Suba Singh, and steno-typist Mr. Srinivasa Shastri. The Azad Hind Government started to carry out civil administration in the islands.

On the mass arrest of the personnel of the Indian National Army (INA) in the month of June 1944, he was also arrested by the Japanese forces along with other INA members and incarcerated in Cellular Jail where he faced continuous trial and torture to confess that he was a British Spy. But he did not accept the false charges labeled on him. Finally, he was released in August 1944. Due to the unbearable torture, he became too weak to die within a short period. 

Top