The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II: Surrender, Loyalty, Betrayal and Hell

by Gautam Hazarika

224 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 19, 2026

Reviews

[Sailakshmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is as good as a history textbook but dedicated to the unsung heroes. I have always felt that when discussing something as vast and significant as the Indian independence movement, every overlooked detail holds an important story, and many heroes remain unnoticed. The experiences of Indian soldiers during the global conflict of the 1940s, who were placed in challenging situations while serving under foreign command, deserve much more attention. This book shines a necessary light on those lesser-known chapters of India’s path to freedom.

Most people have only heard about the major figures connected with the INA. However, every individual involved then was holding on to their last bit of hope. Those were difficult times in the early 1940s, when many Indians found themselves in circumstances that seemed to serve distant authorities. They tried to find support wherever they could, often turning toward groups that appeared friendly, though each had its own priorities during that turbulent period. Because of this, many individuals had to navigate a confusing environment, unsure of whom to trust, simply trying to make it through. Some faced setbacks, while others eventually returned home and later contributed meaningfully to India’s journey toward independence.

Another interesting insight from the book was the formation of the INA. I had always understood that Netaji was the central figure behind it. But I was amazed to learn how much early groundwork was done by Captain Mohan Singh, and how Rash Behari Bose’s patience helped the idea take shape before Netaji took charge.

The part where the author highlights the experiences of the families of those away from home also moved me. Their sacrifices and quiet strength often go unnoticed, and it was touching to see these aspects included.

In short, the author’s effort in bringing these powerful and lesser-known pages of history to readers is truly commendable.

[Book Reviews By Almas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gautam Hazarika’s The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II uncovers a largely neglected chapter of history, the experiences of Indian soldiers taken as prisoners of war under the Japanese, their suffering, escapes, moral dilemmas & what their story meant for India’s fight for independence. The book covers the formation of the Indian National Army (INA), Captain Mohan Singh’s role, Subhas Chandra Bose’s involvement, the hardships of POW camps (starvation, illness, brutality) & the post-war lives of these men & their families. 

Genre & Tropes
-Non-fiction, Military / War history
-Archival research & personal narratives
-Themes: loyalty, betrayal, identity, sacrifice, resilience
-Tropes: forgotten veterans / suppressed history, moral complexity in wartime, resistance vs. complicity

Hazarika draws on interviews, family stories, less-used archives to bring forward the stories of individual POWs & INA soldiers who are often sidelined in mainstream history. The book doesn’t romanticize the INA or its leaders blindly, but shows the chaos, the moral ambiguity, the suffering & how both choice & coercion played roles. It links large-scale events (battle lines, INA evolution, war crime trials) with deeply personal cost families waiting, escapes, death in camps. 
At times the narrative’s transitions may feel heavy with context.
If you like war-history, stories of unsung heroes, or want to understand how individual suffering & national identity tie together then this book is well worth your time.

[Padmajha [PJ] Me and My Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shines a light on a part of history that has long remained in the shadows. The experiences of Indian soldiers and civilians caught in the turmoil of World War II in Southeast Asia are something that many are not aware of. While most war narratives focus on Europe, this one has its attention on the Indian men who were captured as prisoners of war, forced into brutal labour camps, and entangled in the politics surrounding Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (INA).
The standout point of this book is how it gives voice to those who were forgotten by history. The author blends meticulous research with deeply human stories, painting a vivid picture of courage, endurance, and pain. Through the real-life accounts, readers gain a powerful sense of the human cost of war. The struggles of families waiting for their loved ones and the insights into the Australian war crimes trials add further depth and perspective.
The author skillfully ties these personal narratives to India’s broader fight for freedom, showing how hope, loyalty, and resilience endured even in the harshest conditions. The writing is clear and compassionate, making complex historical events emotionally resonant.
I also liked that the book stands out for the way it explores the military hierarchies and moral complexities faced by these men, how coercion, patriotism, and survival are intertwined in a time of chaos.
The inclusion of maps and illustrations, photographs brings the settings and events, helping readers visualise the soldiers’ journeys.
Beginning with the fall of Singapore, the narrative takes readers on an emotional and eye-opening journey. It doesn’t simply recount facts, but it restores dignity to the men whose sacrifices were not previously acknowledged.
The footnotes, notes and bibliography enrich the understanding and the cover, with its historical feel, fits seamlessly with the book’s setting and subject.
This book isn’t just a historical account. It’s a tribute to forgotten heroes. It’s insightful, heartfelt, and deeply moving and a must-read for anyone interested in India’s history, its freedom struggle, and the untold stories of those who fought, suffered, and survived with unwavering courage.

[Sayani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pows being my area of study is why I picked up this and reading this richly researched and emotionally powerful book, and raw pain and courage which is the part of this book's strength was totally worth it.

The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II is a deeply honest and meticulously researched narrative that recounts one of the most overlooked chapters of Indian and global history.

This book focuses on Indian soldiers captured during the fall of Singapore in 1942, reveals how more than 60,000 men had to suddenly face with a brutality and choose whether to side with their oppressors to whom they are nothing but the piece to pay for war or join the nascent Indian National Army (INA) under Mohan Singh later led by Subhas Chandra Bose.

This book recounts the cruel chapters of history through deeply personal stories like that of Lieutenant M. M. Pillai’s daring escape from Singapore and Warrant Officer John Baptist Crasta’s agonizing experience in Japanese labour camps, where over 10,000 of 17,000 Indian POWs perished. The book also covers the cruel reality of war-crimes trials, especially the testimony of Subedar Chint Singh, and the emotional turmoil suffered by the those who wait for their husbands’ whose fates remained unknown for years. See the glimpse of these brutal fate in illustrations in the slides.

This book truthful way of re-telling of the history is what I appreciated the most, it didnot glorified anything because in war there is no true victory neither romanticism. He also highlights the suffering of those who did not join the INA, many of whom endured cruelty, forced labour, and worse under Imperial Japan.

Written with empathy, daunting truth and backed by records, personal letters, and family interviews, this book is both a historical account of sacrifices that often overlooked and also becomes a tribute to those forgotten soldiers. It showcases how their pain, sacrifice, and loyalty played a vital role in galvanising India’s independence movement.

Recommended this book to everyone because some part of the history needs to be read by mass also for every history enthusiast and those who want to understand how the INA and Indian POWs shaped post-colonial India, this book is an essential read.

[Keka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II by Gautam Hazarika is a critical and powerful exploration of a neglected aspect of Indian and global history. The book details the events following the collapse of Singapore in 1942, focusing on Captain Mohan Singh and the Indian National Army (INA), while narrating the brutal and horrific experiences suffered by Indian prisoners in Japanese labour camps and the political consciousness that gave rise the independence movement in India.
Hazarika's mix of documentary and long-form storytelling brings to life the experiences of soldiers Lieutenant M.M. Pillai and Warrant Officer John Baptist Crasta, whose courage and plight mostly ended up as forgotten accounts. Interviews, memories and testimony counterweight war crimes with a deeply human tale centered on loyalty, endurance and the desire to survive.
More than just an account of history, it provides insight into the often forgotten and sacrificed human heroism in times of war. It exemplifies durability perseverance in the most adverse of conditions and is a must-read for anyone interested in the study of WWII, histories of India or the human condition. A compelling, human created account that re-introduces dismissed Indian POW's back into the historical record, The Forgotten Indian POW’s of WWII is a fascinating account of heroism, humanity and sacrifice.

[Alefiyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II by Gautam Hazarika is a deeply moving and eye-opening read. It tells the story of Indian soldiers captured by the Japanese during World War II, showing their struggles, fear, and resilience in ways that history books often overlook. What makes this book stand out is how human it feels. The focus isn’t just on battles or leaders, but on the men themselves, their hunger, loneliness, and longing to return home.

The author brings the past alive through personal accounts, letters, and meticulous research. Figures like Captain Mohan Singh and Lieutenant M.M. Pillai are highlighted, but the stories of countless unnamed soldiers are just as powerful, showing courage in the face of unimaginable hardship. The book also clearly explains army hierarchies and movements, with maps and illustrations that make it easy to follow even if you’re new to military history.

I also love the book cover. It perfectly reflects the strength and quiet dignity of the stories inside. What stayed with me most was the quiet strength of these men. The way hope, duty, and love for their country carried them through suffering. It’s a book that honors their sacrifice without glorifying war. Emotional, informative, and beautifully written, this is a story that deserves to be remembered.

[vivid_serenity__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not just about war it’s about faith, courage & the dream of a free India. The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II by Gautam Hazarika takes us back to the dark days of 1942 when thousands of Indian soldiers were captured after the fall of Singapore. It follows the path of the Indian National Army (INA) under Mohan Singh & then later involvement of Subhas Chandra Bose. The author takes us back to the fall of Singapore in 1942 when thousands of Indian soldiers were taken prisoner by the Japanese. From there the book tells the heartbreaking and powerful stories of those men some who joined the Indian National Army in the hope of freeing their motherland & others who chose loyalty to their oath, enduring hunger, beatings & torture in Japanese prison camps. Some fought loudly, some quietly, but all with courage. The book shows how freedom was not one straight path it was full of confusion, faith & sacrifice. Gautam Hazarika’s writing is clear, emotional & deeply respectful. You can feel his research & passion on every page. History often remembers the leaders but forgets the soldiers who followed.  A powerful, emotional, and respectful tribute to India’s forgotten heroes the silent freedom fighters who suffered, fought & survived. A must read for every Indian who wants to truly understand what freedom cost.

[Achu Aswathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II by Gautam Hazarika is a powerful and deeply emotional book that sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Indian history. I was instantly drawn to it because of its honest storytelling and the way it reveals the struggles of Indian soldiers who were captured as prisoners of war. Before reading this book, I never knew that the Indian National Army (INA) existed even before Subhas Chandra Bose’s leadership. The book opened my eyes to the early formation of the INA and the courage of those who risked everything to fight for freedom and return to their homeland.

What touched me most were the stories of survival, men escaping from camps, wandering across unknown lands, and being helped by strangers who offered food, shelter, or a few coins without expecting anything in return. These moments of kindness highlight the best of humanity amid war’s cruelty. Hazarika’s writing is simple yet powerful, allowing readers to feel the emotions and experiences of those forgotten heroes. Each page carries a sense of pride, pain, and resilience.

This book is not just a historical record but a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of those who endured unimaginable hardships for India’s independence. It made me reflect deeply and feel grateful for their sacrifices. A truly unforgettable and inspiring read.

[Aradhna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gautam Hazarika’s The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II brings to light a deeply moving and often overlooked chapter in Indian history. Through rich archival research and personal testimonies, the book tells the stories of Indian soldiers who became prisoners of war (POWs) under the Japanese during WWII. It dwells into the harsh realities they endured such as starvation, disease, forced labor, and moral dilemmas while linking these experiences to India’s fight for independence.
The book follows Captain Mohan Singh and the birth of the Indian National Army (INA), explores Subhas Chandra Bose’s pivotal role, and portrays the emotional toll on families who waited for years for their missing loved ones. Hazarika doesn’t shy away from the complexities ,depicting how coercion and choice shaped the actions of these men, and the blurred lines between resistance and complicity. The account is both historical and human, with war crime trials, daring escapes, and themes of loyalty, identity, and sacrifice woven throughout.
Though the dense historical context may feel overwhelming at times, the emotional weight and forgotten narratives make this book a compelling and essential read for anyone interested in war history or India's freedom movement.
QOTD: What forgotten story from history do you think deserves to be told next?

[Ayushi Kawadkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have we ever considered what people have sacrificed for freedom, how many people's dreams were tied to that freedom, how much sacrifice, dedication, courage, and passion it must have required, and how difficult it is to maintain all of this and then answer everything with that hard work?

This book enforced me to consider all these things. I never expected to learn about history this way. Yes, a few years ago I did see a series that mentioned “The Forgotten Army” for the first time. I started the book with those expectations, but by the time it was finished, I was simply silent.

Because when you expect only up to a certain limit and get more, you're bound to be silent.

The book, which focuses on significant events like the Burma Campaign and Singapore in 1942, uses moving tales and untold tales to show how these people went from being forgotten prisoners to important leaders who significantly influenced India's path to freedom.

Reading a novel that skillfully transports you back in time is an emotional experience. The research is absolutely amazing. Author assembled old letters, interviews, and archives into a unified, truthful whole. When history is just history, then such books come out.

[Sanvi Speaks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story tells about the brave efforts of INA soldiers whenever they had the chance. It also describes the tough challenges they faced, including hunger and sickness in Burma.

The tale also focuses on Lieutenant M.M. Pillai’s escape from Singapore. About Subedar Chint Singh and his struggle. It not just tells the history to you but also shows the lives of the wives who waited for years with little news about their soldier-husbands.

It doesn't portray the war itself but it shows the struggle, the fear and the fight the soldiers has to go through during those times. I must appreciate the author though, for the research and efforts he put in are amazing. All the snippets of letters, interviews are added factor to the already amazing book. Also the amount of footnotes and all shows his hardwork and efforts he took while putting this book together. If you are someone who are interested in less known history and the historical facts this book is definitely for you.

Also the cover is so beautiful with it's hardcover and dust jacket. This book looks good too.