CUTTACK: The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Birthplace Museum today got richer by two articles associated with the Indian National Army (INA) or Azad Hind Fauz era.
A sword used by women soldiers of the INA and an old painting, which is believed to be a source for the imprints of Netaji’s portrait on the currencies printed by the Azad Hind Bank, have been donated to it by the children of INA member late Dr S Asadullah of Mangalabag from his personal collections. The weapon and the painting with the initials of C Sengupta were handed over by Dr Asadullah’s son Sk Aminullah to the museum today. The sword would be displayed in the INA gallery and the painting in the Provisional Government of Azad Hind and the National Bank of Azad Hind gallery, curator JP Das said.
The sword, short in length, was used by women members of the INA in combat situations. The Lee Enfield 3030 rifles, generally used by INA in combats and drills, were unsuitable for women of Indian stature as they were too long and heavy. The INA arranged lighter and shorter types such as the Canadian Rose pattern or the Dutch-type rifles for them. However, as they came without bayonets, women members carried short swords for use during direct combat. The sword was given to Dr Asadullah by a former INA woman soldier, who was under his treatment at Ranihat in the city after Indian independence.
The portrait of Netaji is of the INA period and has initials of C Sengupta but what makes it unique is its extreme resemblance with the portrait on the paper currencies issued by the National Bank of Azad Hind.
According to general secretary of Ex-Servicemen Association, Orissa, Raicharan Mohanty, who is a close associate of the family, Dr Asadullah was first drafted into the Medical Corps of the British Army in 1940 and posted as medical officer in Malay (now Malaysia). The troops there, however, were defeated by the Japanese in 1942 and he was taken as prisoner of war. Then came the call of Netaji for joining INA and Japan as an ally of his, released Indian prisoners for joining his army. He worked as medical officer at different places before being captured by the British again and held prisoner of war. He was released from Multan jail in 1946. He came back to Cuttack and started practising medicine. He passed away in 1972.
There have been several articles in the house that were of the era of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and associated with freedom struggle. Some of them have been acquired by a Kendrapara-based collector Mohammad Mushtaq, said Aminullah.