The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom

by Palagummi Sainath

So who really spearheaded India’s Freedom Struggle? Millions of ordinary people—farmers, labourers, homemakers, forest produce gatherers, artisans and others—stood up to the British. People who never went on to be ministers, governors, presidents, or hold other high public office.

They had this in common: their opposition to Empire was uncompromising.

In The Last Heroes, these foot soldiers of Indian freedom tell us their stories. The men, women and children featured in this book are Adivasis, Dalits, OBCs, Brahmins, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus. They hail from different regions, speak different languages and include atheists and believers, Leftists, Gandhians and Ambedkarites.

The people featured pose the intriguing question: What is freedom? They saw that as going beyond Independence. And almost all of them continued their fight for freedoms long after 1947.

The post-1947 generations need their stories.

To learn what they understood. That freedom and independence are not the same thing. And to learn to make those come together.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, India, Journalism, Indian Literature

302 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2022

About the author

Palagummi Sainath (born 1957) is an Indian journalist who focuses on social & economic inequality, rural affairs, poverty and the aftermath of globalization in India. He is the founder editor of the People's Archive of Rural India and a senior fellow for Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research. He was the Rural Affairs Editor at The Hindu before resigning in 2014,. The website India Together has been archiving some of his work in The Hindu daily for the past six years. Since late 2011, he has been working on People's Archive of Rural India, PARI, of which he is the Founder Editor.

Amartya Sen has called him "one of the world's great experts on famine and hunger".

In June 2011, Sainath was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree (DLitt) by the University of Alberta, the university's highest honor. He is one of few Indians to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award, which he accepted in 2007 in the category of Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.

Reviews

[Chandana Kuruganty · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ Because I never went to jail, because I trained with a rifle but never fired a bullet at anyone, does that mean I’m not a freedom fighter? .. At 13, I was cooking in the camp kitchens for all those who were going out and fighting, was I not a part of that?”

I loved this book for being:
1. Thought provoking and bringing forward stories of ordinary people and their extraordinary role in Indian Freedom Struggle
2. The author brilliantly highlights the unity in movement from various social lenses - Women who weren’t recognised, marginalised caste groups who did not get much needed recognition, various tribal groups who led major revolts, agrarian crises and extraordinary bravery shown by peasants in the struggle
3. Narration and Dialogue with the freedom fighters is very poignant and hits home. There is no dull moment in the book

Things that could have made the book stand out further:
1.Author could have covered more parts of India- Gujarat, MP, Bihar, North East and Hill States to make it truly representative
2. There is a level of bias in writing of the author which could have been avoided in interest of keeping the book balanced and neutral considering it talks of Modern Indian History.

That being said, I recommend this book to one and all! These are stories we need to remember and cherish as we progress towards India@100 ( Amrit Kaal).

Happy Reading.

[Udit Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a marvellous work done consistently over years to collect the stories of living freedom fighters. The chronicles here are representative of how deep and widespread was the longing for freedom in our great struggle. These are sagas of patriotism driven by the need to unite and liberate Indians, not divide them on grounds of religion or caste.

The stories represent the common populace who stood against the British Raj and fought till they could. Some in the capacity of being a courier who sent messages across or just being a cook to the revolutionaries who waged armed rebellion against the Raj from basing themselves deep in forests. They didn't expect any recognition but yet we as current generation have lost much of the story behind this glorious struggle. As India celebrates the 75 years it becomes imperative that we reconstruct and remember these contributions.

Modern discourse has created these binaries of placing oneself in one school of thought. But humans inherently can't be boxed into singular ideology. It fascinates me that some of the freedom fighters found no contradiction in being a Gandhian and an Ambedkarite at the same time. The politics and passion of so many fighters was driven by leftist/communist ideology but their moral codes and lifestyle were guided by Mahatma Gandhi.

It pains me in current times to see Mahatma being targeted by right wing ideologies for obvious reasons. It doesn't surprise me that there was a mass populace which followed the footsteps of Mahatma during the freedom struggle. This book is not about Mahatma but yet it's a tribute to the influence he had over masses and specially these freedom fighters mentioned in the book.

[Tanmay Jadhav · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We set out to achieve Freedom and Independence. We achieved Independence"

OOOF!

This book is a beautiful consortium of stories from the old guard that likely will cease to exist very soon. To read their stories of sacrifice and dedication to this nation was constantly spine chilling and frequently moved me to tears.

Here are men and women who gave without the expectation of anything in return and unfortunately we as a country have forgotten them except a few stalwart. There are people who are living in extreme financial hardship and lack of recognition and I'm really glad P. Sainath has been able to at least shed some light on them in their final few years.

The most heartbreaking part of the book is how through the years of follow up this book has been written, most of the characters in this book have passed away exaggerating the finality of their accounts!

From captain bhau to the gut wrenching account of laxmi panda this book does an excellent job of not undermining the contribution of men and women alike; frontline and homemakers that made sure the society kept functioning alike; Gandhians and Ambedkar followers alike.

This book truly is an account of the "foot soldiers" of Indian freedom! I'd highly recommend this to any Indian as an addition to 'India after Gandhi' or just the basic history taught in school. The clear language and conversational grammar makes this a very easy read (a slow reader like me devoured it in a single flight for Mumbai to London)!

Better than just a 5 Star book!
What a way to start the year!

If there's a book you read this year as an Indian, I urge you to make it this one!

[Nandini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of women who cooked. Of men who cycled. Filled jails. Robbed trains. Set mailboxes on fire. Took over Police stations and courts.
Dreamt of freedom and got independence.
Regular folk who make you ashamed of frittering away the country you inherired from them.

[Devikumar · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author seems to have taken a lot of efforts to find out the families of the freedom fighters and write about them. Very commendable. But using their stories as a premise to bash the incumbent government at every step, at end of some chapters is disheartening.
Like for e.g, Bhagat Singh Jhuggian says none of the RSS took part in freedom struggle. For a guy who didn’t leave his district all his life, it is very naive to make such comment and very ignorant and stupid of the author to publish it. There were people in Maharashtra from RSS who served jail terms for taking part in satyagrahas. Aptly, they too were the foot soldiers of RSS. And they did take part in the freedom struggle.

[Sujit Banerjee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inspiring stories. But written with lot of repetition. Could have been edited better.

[Aparajita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the author's "Everybody loves a good draught" but couldn't say the same for this one. Underwhelming.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We fought for freedom. We got independence" is the refrain that runs through the book. Stories of men and women who took part in the freedom struggle, most of whom continued working to reduce social and economic inequity even after independence. None of them attained fame, but each of them risked everything to do what they believed they should. Of particular interest to me are the women- some were frontline warriors who took visible risks, but many stayed behind and home and cooked; only on questioning deeper do you realise they cooked for the revolutionaries, and that was as important as anything else, though unacknowledged even by themselves. The book seeks to record the voices of those who are now forgotten, but it's importance is because it reminds us of the sacrifices others made, and of how our job is not over till the freedoms they fought for are attained.

[Ashok Krishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for anyone who loves this great country and wishes the best for it.

Will share the full review soon. ❤️

[Uzair Qadri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historiography is a cruel subject. It gives a reader a sense of completeness up until the time it stays unidirectional.The moment a new dimension gets added or explored on it, its earlier shape becomes inadequate and incomplete. Yet this incompleteness is what makes all types of books on history in the larger measure fresh, enriching and teachable. It's exactly for these attributes that the recent book by P. Sainath 'The last heroes' stands out.

P. Sainath has been a journalist and a public commentator for more than four decades now. In the age of armchair experts and small radius-ruler journalists, he knows how to fold up the sleeves of his shirt and go deep into the larger sea of issues confronting the poor and the marginalised. It's a well-known fact that the ever-fattening corporate media has rendered the Independent journalist an extinct species, but P. Sainath is indefatigable and untiring. 'The last heroes' is his second book written almost 25 years after his first one, 'Everybody loves a good drought'.

'The last heroes' is a compilation of real-life stories about the dying brand of freedom fighters and activists, who remained selfless, spirited and loyal till their last breath to the values for which Indian freedom struggle was waged. This group of people, some already dead out of them, will no longer be alive after a few years from now. It means that the stories could have been easily rampaged over by the tyrannical currents of time, had it not been for this book. Most of them have lived penurious lives. While they have been self-effacing and self-deprecating, the India of successive generations hasn't done them any good. This hurts them no end, but they don't complain.

'The last heroes' is very broad-keeled in that it has covered its subjects from the poorest and the remotest regions of India. It has the stories written in a simple and a very compelling manner, which has truly become a pure Sainath way of writing. It makes the book unputdownable. One gets to have a proper knack of the ethical firm-footing on which the freedom fighters kept themselves slogging.

The book has some 270-odd easy going pages divided into 16 chapters. The stories are from Maharashtra Sangli, about a lady, Hausabhai, who was part of Quit India movement's underground network of women; a very poor woman, Demati Dei Salihan in Purena, Odisha, who lived all her life in oblivion, reminiscing about her exploits against the British in her younger days; a Sikh fighter in Punjab's Hoshiarpur, who remained unperturbed by the convulsions of hatred unleashed in the wake of partition, and later, in Punjab; a dalit freedom fighter in Ajmer, Rajasthan, who refuses to choose between Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji; Mallu Swarajyam in Telangana, who fought the British and the Razakars of Nizam later; K Sankariah from Tamil Nadu, a committed Communist; Baji Mohammed from Nabarangpur, Odisha, who died at 103, a committed Gandhian; Lakshmi Panda of Jeypore, Odisha; Chamaru Parida of Bargarh, Odisha; Ganpati Yadav from Sangli in Maharashtra; Babani Mahato from Purulia, West Bengal; H.S Doreswamy, Bengaluru, a brilliant journalist;Thelu and Lokkhi Mahato, Purulia, West Bengal, and R.Nallakannu from Chennai in Tamil Nadu. From their stories of perseverance and precocity, they are humans extraordinaire.

While the emphasis of historians has settled down on top-down leadership, these unknown and millions like them never came to be recognised. Leave alone recognition, not even deserving for the Swatantra Sainik Samman Yojana (SSSY), which could have allowed them to lead a simple and straight life in a dignified way.

In the battle of completing claims on which side of ideology did a popular leader fight, the people in the book 'The Last heroes' deserve celebration by all without exception.

Much recommended.

[Sudarshana Mukhopadhyay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps one of the best books one can read in the 75th year of India's independence. In this book, P. Sainath captures glimpses of about 20-odd freedom fighters' lives, struggles, and, most importantly, philosophies. All of them participated in the freedom struggle during their teenage years. Some remained active in public life and fought for social justice throughout their life. Some carried on with their private family lives. Some are still remembered by their state and local communities, while some languish in poverty. Some are Gandhian, and some are revolutionaries. Some embraced Gandhi, Ambedkar, and Bhagat Singh with equal zeal. Some remained "leftist by persuasion and Gandhian by personality."
Despite their varied background, it's clear that they all believe they fought for India's independence and freedom but achieved only independence. That's something to reflect upon during this "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav".

[E.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

De di humein azadi bina khadg, bina dhaal;
Sabarmati ke sant tune kar diya kamaal.
Historical fiction is my fav genre for a good reason - unlike history it immerses you in the era. The situations and motivations come alive and you actually empathise with the characters. While this is not historical fiction, it is quite close in the sense that it tries to tell anecdotes from India's freedom movement thru the stories of the "foot soldiers" - the common Indians. And thanks and hats-off to the author for doing this.
Note though that the author has a strong Leftist bias and this reflects in the book now and then. However, it is still a good read and I am following it up with Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom which I suspect will have an opposite bias.

[Abishek Sekar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that depicts the contributions of the lesser known personalities involved in India's freedom movement. The author P Sainath makes the reader realise how these men and women (the foot soldiers) from various regions, religions, beliefs and political views shaped and built the idea of Indian nation. And there were many who continued to take part in people's struggles long after the country's independence showing that the freedom they sought remained unattained.

[Karthick · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few books which moved me to tears. This is one of them.

[Sainath Sunil · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an incredible book....a journey that takes you into the lives of ordinary Indians who played extra ordinary roles in the freedom struggle. This book shines the spotlight on those forgotten many who did their very best to get the independence that we so cherish today, without understanding the pains that many took. This book brings to life an entire set of heroes and heroines...whom history has ignored. Hats off...

[Sagar Papneja · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read for everyone to understand how we got our freedom with people coming from daily walks of life. P Sainath interviews the arguably last bunch of freedom fighters and the common thread for their idea of freedom, independence, Gandhi and Ambedkar. This book should be a part of the school curriculum.

[Sumeet Pradhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 1990s, when I was a school kid, the nearest bus-stop for our village (still 3 km away) was called Jhulen Bargach which literally means “Banyan tree used for hanging (people)”. There indeed was a huge old Banyan tree on the roadside. Legend says that the British hung a few “rebels” from that tree during one of the rebellions. I recently visited my village after almost couple of decades. Now that Banyan tree has given way to a wide 4-lane state highway. I inquired about the tree. Nobody was much bothered. It had to go for the sake of development. I am now not even sure if the legend of Jhulen Bargach is true and maybe it will vanish from people’s memory soon. If at all the legend is true, those nameless heroes who sacrificed their life for freedom are already in the path of disappearing into oblivion.

Jhulen Bargach is just about the mid-point of the 60 KM road stretch that connects Purena and Panimora, the two villages that have mentions in this book, “The Last Heroes”. Before reading this book, I had never heard of the village Purena and had a very superficial idea about the freedom fighters of Panimora. Just like me, most of millennials and following generations are typically ignorant about the local foot soldiers of freedom struggle which makes this book a necessary read as we celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

The book consists of 16 mostly episodic chapters, each about certain freedom fighters whom the author has personally interviewed in last couple of decades. Given that we have crossed 75th year of independence, this is probably the last time someone interviewed and documented living freedom fighters (most of those mentioned in the book are dead by the time this book is published).

Each of these episodes describes the first-person recollection of the contributions made by different freedom fighters for the freedom struggle, their life journey after independence and their current condition. Even though only a handful of surviving freedom fighters are documented in the book, yet one can get the flavour of how diverse the freedom struggle movement was. From Communists to Congress workers to tribal rebels, each had different aspiration, philosophy, meaning of freedom and more importantly different story to tell.

There is one potential issue with the book. Given the fading memories and human tendency to have some convenient memory, how much of the first-person recollection is to be taken as truth. But if you go through each of the stories, you can see none of the heroes indulged in any overblown bravado. In fact, most of them have stayed modest in their recollection and even downplayed their own contribution to the freedom struggle.

Throughout all these stories, the author has also hammered an important aspect about the freedom struggle. It was not only about few larger-than-life heroic leaders but also about millions of the foot soldiers who contributed in different small ways; be it acting as a cook for revolutionaries or charging at a British police officer with a lathi. And it is our moral obligation to recognize and respect those millions relatively unknown heroes.

About 250 pages long, the book is an easy read. There are some overlaps and repetition across chapters but that is a minor issue. There are many B&W and glossy coloured photos included in the book that provide a more visual insight into the life of the heroes mentioned in the book. QR code link at the end of each chapter takes the reader to PARI gallery which have few more photographs.

[Anurag Panda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories on the few freedom fighters still alive, celebrating India's 75 years of independence. Award winning journalist P Sainath was the rural affairs editor for The Hindu daily newspaper and these stories are based around his meetings with these people during his stints in the hinterland.

Most characters were very young, many in their teens, at the time of independence and hence the stories largely revolve around the Quit India movement and the Indian National Army. Nevertheless, their contributions were monumental. It puts into perspective what one can achieve in their youth if they set their mind to it.

I'm especially grateful to the author for featuring multiple stories from my home state of Odisha. These find scant mention in the school history books I've come across and it has always troubled my conscience. I also enjoyed reading about the Prati Sarkar of Satara. It is a wonderful story and more people should be aware of it. It's a movie script ready to be made. There are stories from remote areas stretching the length and breadth of the country.

The author rightfully brings out the miserable lives these freedom fighters lead currently and ridicules the irony of the current government not mentioning about even one of them in the 75 year anniversary celebration website(azadi ka amrit mahotsav). It makes me feel immensely sad. He also points out the various loopholes in the freedom fighter pension schemes that the central and state governments run. I agree that there needs to be a revision of these policies. Yet, I am sympathetic with the government as well, it must have been difficult to verify their credibility and hence the various conditions in the policies. These must be updated now to recognise the extraordinary sacrifice of our heroes.

This book gives me immense pride in our nation's achievement of 75 years of independence. Nobody gave us a chance when we started, yet here we are! I would like to thank the author for bringing out these stories of the foot soldiers who would have surely been forgotten if not for him and his organisation, PARI.

[Alamgir Baidya · Rating 4 out of 5]

আমি মনে করছি আজকের ভারতে দাঁড়িয়ে পি সাইনাথ এই যে The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom বইটা লিখলেন, এটা অত্যন্ত জরুরি একটা কাজ। ২০২২এ স্বাধীনতার পঁচাত্তর বছর পূর্তিকে যেরকম কর্পোরেট প্যাকেজিংয়ে মুড়ে খাওয়ানো হলো আমাদের “অমৃত মহোৎসব” বলে, তার ওয়েবসাইট কোনো জীবিত স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রামী নন বরং হৃদয়সম্রাটের মুখে ছেয়ে গেলো, সেই ২০২২এই তার বিপরীতে দাঁড়িয়ে ভারতের স্বাধীনতা আন্দোলনের অবহেলিত খান পনেরো মুখ তুলে আনার কাজকে আমি কুর্নিশ জানাই। সাইনাথের সংগঠন PARI অর্থাৎ People’s Archive of Rural India সারা দেশ ঘুরে তৈরি করেছে এই কেস স্টাডিগুলো। এক একটা কেস স্টাডি হয়ে উঠেছে বইটার এক একটা অধ্যায়। উদ্দেশ্যপ্রণোদিতভাবে এই কেস স্টাডিগুলো নির্বাচিত হয়েছে গান্ধীবাদী, আম্বেদকরবাদী, কমিউনিস্ট, সশস্ত্র/নিরস্ত্র সব ধরনের আন্দোলনকারীর অনুপাত বজায় রেখে। আমি প্রায় প্রত্যেকটা অধ্যায় পড়তে গিয়ে দেখছি বর্তমান ভারতের রাজনীতির অভিমুখ নিয়ে এই স্বাধীনতা সংগ্রামীদের মনোভাব জানতে চাওয়া হচ্ছে, সদ্য অতীতের কৃষক আন্দোলনে তাঁদের মধ্যে যাঁরা এই বয়সেও নিজের মতো করে যোগ দিয়েছিলেন সেটা তুলে ধরা হচ্ছে, স্বাধীনতা আন্দোলনে আরএসএসপন্থী রাজনীতির শূন্য অবদানের কথা তাঁদের বয়ানে অন্তর্ভুক্ত করা হচ্ছে। বুঝতে পারছি, বইটা কেবলমাত্র একটা বই থাকছে না, ক্রমশঃ একটা প্রোপাগান্ডা হয়ে যাচ্ছে। এবং আমি মনে করছি এই মুহূর্তে, শাসকের প্রবল পরাক্রমশালী এবং সর্বত্র বিরাজমান বিদ্বেষকামী প্রোপাগান্ডা মেশিনারির বিরুদ্ধে দাঁড়িয়ে আমাদের এরকমই সুপরিকল্পিত পাল্টা প্রোপাগান্ডা দরকার। আমি অভিবাদন জানাচ্ছি সাইনাথকে তিনি বইটির রাজনীতিকে ক্ষণিকের জন্যেও ব্যালেন্স করার চেষ্টা করেননি বলে।

অদ্ভুত, রোমহর্ষক, কিছু ক্ষেত্রে মজার সমস্ত কাহিনি উঠে এসেছে এই সংকলনে। এর মধ্যেই, হয়তো বামপন্থী ধারার প্রতি আমার ব্যক্তিগত পক্ষপাতের কারণেই, মাল্লু স্বরাজ্যমের কথা আলাদা করে বলতে চাই পরে আলাদা কোনো পরিসরে। বিস্তারে। কারণ bhumi, bhukti, vimukti অর্থাৎ land, livelihood, liberation এর দাবিতে চল্লিশের দশকে রাইফেল তুলে নেওয়া যে কমরেড হালের Occupy Wall Streetএর সমর্থনে – “This was our weapon, the cell phone and the laptop are yours” বলেন তাঁর সম্বন্ধে বলতে গেলে থামা মুশকিল হবে।

বইটা আমার বৃত্তের সবাইকে পড়তে অনুরোধ করি। বাম, অবাম সবারই ভালো লাগবে আশা করি।

[Murari Srinivasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book by P. Sainath after a hugely successful and award-winning Everybody Loves a Good Drought. It is a compilation of inspiring stories of everyday Indians who contributed to the freedom struggle in line with the ideals and principles shared by leaders like Gandhi, Netaji, Ambedkar, but are not known outside their local communities. The visuals and narratives are very moving when you realize that the lives these individuals led post Independence were full of struggles for basic existence. Indeed, some were even not recognized by the Govt. for freedom fighter benefits. Sainath puts together a diverse set of stories and certainly makes for a compelling read.
The author's left liberal leanings make themselves apparent from time to time, as is almost the norm these days with public intellectuals happy to make it apparent as to which side of centre they stray towards. Writing style is simple and straightforward, stories have been told in easy-to-understand narrative language - although one may expect to encounter greater elements of style and flair from such an acclaimed author.
I would recommend the book for young readers who may not have great understanding of the independence struggle and the environment back in those times, to gain some perspective on the history of the country they are an important part of.

[Palwai]

Completed reading
"The Last Heroes",
Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom
by #PalagummiSainath

A must read book if we want to know about the "heroes" who remained in oblivion despite creating a better future for us all!

There are many interesting facets in this book, and here are some:
▶️ "We fought for two things - for Freedom and Independence. We attained Independence"
by "Captain Bhau"
▶️ "Great men seem to be the cause of revolutions in the world. In truth, the people themselves are the cause."
by Mahatma Gandhi
▶️ Why, we ask him, did you run off on seeing us?
'Well, you came in an SUV,' he explains. 'Obviously, i thought you were from the Forest Department. They are always harassing us Sabars.'
Like they did over 130 years ago during the British Raj. Like they did in the run-up to the uprising that Salihan led. Like they still do, today.
▶️ Bhanatram Sabar
great-nephews of Demati Dei Sabar 'Salihan' , who in 1930 fought the British police personnel to protect the life of her father , the 'legendary' Karthik Sabar
▶️ read the story of *Laxmi Panda* who was the only Odia woman associated with INA
who worked as a maid in others houses , and eventually got Rs 700/- pension
▶️ "Salihan" , the story we all must read , re-read , appreciate , imbibe , cultivate , am sure it is impossible to emulate

[Niharika Choudhury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me a very long time to finish this book because of how compelling and overwhelming each chapter is. The emotional response that each story commands will put some of the best works in fiction to shame.

This book tells the true history of the people of India. It is the most genuine narration of the history of the masses from the first half of the 20th century. P Sainath's passion for amplifying the stories of the real heroes of our freedom struggle is contagious. You see the freedom fighters described in this book for the legends they are, and it's only possible because of the authenticity with which the stories have been narrated. Through each of the lives and tales of bravery described in this book, you see the very real, very primal implications of the concepts that most of us in our protected urban spaces only discuss in theory. It brilliantly puts into perspective the multi-dimensional nature of the freedom struggle of our country.

Humans never learn from history and collective amnesia is the strongest for victories earned by the masses. Books like these preserve these precious victories. Most of us will find ourselves in the wrong side of history. Here is a compilation of the life stories of people who made the right side of history a reality for us to live.

[Chandar · Rating 4 out of 5]

P Sainath has been an indefatigable chronicler of the rural India that seems to have disappeared from the national consciousness. Here, he introduces 16 of the millions of ordinary, 'faceless' rural denizens who made invaluable contributions to India's freedom struggle, the 'foot soldiers of our freedom struggle' who have remained largely unrecognized. And whose 'extraordinary' acts of valor range from a daring heist of the British treasury cash-chest, running food camps for revolutionaries to declaring an entire district 'independent' and under self-rule! Unlettered men and women who were willing to give up everything for a freedom that must have seemed distant and uncertain.

In the 75th year of our Independence, what looks more certain is that there is little space for them, or for the India of their dreams, in the New India.

[Akankshya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that sets to record the freedom struggle from the perspective of ordinary people, The Last Heroes is more than just retellings of India's history of the freedom struggle. It serves as a sobering reminder of how public memory conveniently forgot these courageous souls that sacrificed so much for our independence and freedom. From women who fed families & villages at the height of famines to children who risked their lives as messengers - these individual lives inspire and move you to think about freedom in ways we have perhaps forgotten.

I was filled with regret at the injustice & apathy some of them & their families continue to face. I only wish this book reaches as many young people in India as possible so we never forget these millions who make a movement & continue their legacy of an indomitable spirit & indefatigable mind when it comes to struggling for freedom & justice.

[Sanymi Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories. So this book had my heart from the get go and the way Sainath brings alive every character is a joy to experience.

It's such an important book to be written for so many significant reasons. Would recommend this to every person looking to understand the Freedom Movement from the perspective of the common Indian.

We need more stories from our history encapsulated in memoirs like this to stay connected and grateful to our predecessors. Because, as we know, history in our textbooks is conveniently edited to suit the needs of the power mongers.

[Abhijit Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many people have sacrificed so much for independence, and we have heard stories about only a few. Reading about these people, and listening to their perspective about the status quo and their fight to change it has been an exhilarating experience. Rarely any book inspires so much as this one has done.

[Ambedkar Balasubramaniam Meganathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the lesser known freedom fighters who got us freedom. No dramatic descriptions or jingoism to spice up the book, but only facts. Reading this book will make the reader understand that our freedom was not won due to the efforts of a single individual or a particular community. It was the effort of Indians, and that should help you to keep alive the idea of a diverse India.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the title and subtitle express themselves the content of the book. This book in 16 chapters deals with the unsung heroes and the way they participated in the Indian Freedom movement in various capacities.

[Sanjeev Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me aware of some of the foot soldiers of freedom movements their commitments and selfless service a which they continued till the end of life. This book highlights that we need to understand in details to understand the motivations behind the freedom movement.

[Priya sankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sainath focuses the spotlight on the people and becomes invisible when telling stories. He does this gracefully by not distracting the reader from the hero of the story and expresses his anger and outrage at the injustice meted to Salihan Demati Dei Sahar through a poem in the end.