Mankumar Basu Thakur

Mankumar Basu Thakur
মানকুমার বসু ঠাকুর
Martyr Mankumar Basu Thakur
Born	28 June 1920 Dhaka, Bengal, British India
Died	27 September 1943 Madras Central Prison, Madras Presidency, British India
Cause of death	Execution by hanging
Other names	Sreedhar
Alma mater	St. Gregory's High School, Jagannath College
Occupation(s)	Indian Coastal Defence’s 4th Heavy Battery, Gunner
Known for	Mutiny attempt at Cochin in the beginning of Royal Indian Navy mutiny
Parents	Bhupati Mohan Basu Thakur (father) Hemprabha devi (mother)
Relatives	Debkumar Basu Thakur (elder brother) Priya Kumar Basu Thakur (younger brother) Manasi Ghosh (younger sister) Pratul Chandra Rakhsit (brother-in-law) Madhuri Rakshit (elder sister)

Mankumar Basu Thakur (Bengali: মানকুমার বসু ঠাকুর Mankumar Basu Thakur) (28 June 1920 – 27 September 1943) was an Indian freedom fighter and soldier from Malkhanagarh village in Dhaka District. A brilliant student and graduate of St. Gregory's High School, Dhaka, he became involved in the nationalist Sri sangha during college. Later, he joined the Indian Coastal Defence’s 4th Heavy Battery as a gunner. Inspired by Subhas Chandra Bose, he participated in the navy revolt against British rule in Cochin on 18 April 1943. Arrested and tried in Bangalore, he was executed on 27 September 1943 alongside eight comrades, becoming a martyr in Indian freedom movement.

Early life & education

Family Background and Birth

Man Kumar Basu Thakur was born on 28 June 1920 in the village of Malkhanagarh, located in the Dhaka District of the Bengal Presidency, British India (in present-day Bangladesh). He was the fourth son of Bhupati Mohan Basu Thakur of Nayabadi, a respected figure in the region.

Schooling and Academic Excellence

From an early age, Basu Thakur showed exceptional academic promise. He consistently ranked among the top four students in his class and maintained a disciplined lifestyle that included regular physical exercise. In 1937, he passed the matriculation examination in the first division from St. Gregory's High School and College in Dhaka. This institution later became known for producing several prominent alumni, including Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Tajuddin Ahmad(first Prime Minister of Bangladesh), and Kamal Hossain(former Law Minister of Bangladesh).

College Years and Political Awakening

Following his school education, Basu Thakur enrolled at Jagannath College, where he pursued the Intermediate Science Certificate (I.S.C.). He was an active participant in student life and was elected editor of the college’s cultural department. During this period, he came into contact with members of Sri sangha, a nationalist youth organization based in Dhaka, which played a significant role in his political awakening.

While at Jagannath College, Basu Thakur also came into contact with Satya Ranjan Bakshi, a fellow student and known revolutionary, who was actively involved in the Indian independence movement. Their association further strengthened Basu Thakur’s ideological commitment to the cause of national liberation.

Entry into Military Service

Despite opposition from his family, Basu Thakur joined the British Indian Army through a college nomination scheme that selected three second-year students annually for military service. His enlistment in the Indian Coastal Defence Force marked the beginning of a new phase in his life—one that would align his military role with his growing nationalist aspirations.

Military Career and Revolutionary Activities

Influence of Nationalist Movements (1942)

In 1942, the Quit India Movement, launched by the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, sparked widespread nationalist sentiment across British India. At the same time, Subhas Chandra Bose’s campaign to form the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) and his rallying cry of "Delhi Chalo" gained traction, particularly among Indian soldiers serving in the British armed forces. Bose's broadcasts—such as “Ami Subhas Bolchi” ("This is Subhas speaking")—were secretly listened to by Indian troops, fostering political awakening within military ranks.

Secret Political Mobilization

While serving in the Indian Coastal Defence Force's 4th Heavy Battery, Mankumar became increasingly influenced by the ideology of Bose and the growing nationalist fervour. Along with fellow Indian soldiers, he began secretly listening to these broadcasts in locations such as the army canteen. These clandestine gatherings laid the groundwork for internal resistance.

Basu Thakur was also influenced by Sri Munshi, a 35-year-old Urdu instructor from Travancore(present-day Kerala), who shared stories about the World War II, the Quit India Movement, and imprisoned revolutionaries. These sessions were held in secret and became forums for political education and planning. Others such as Charles Xavier of Kerala and K.G. Harsh were also involved in providing covert updates and communications, some reportedly linked to the intelligence efforts of the Azad Hind movement.

Formation of a Resistance Network

The regiment, comprising approximately 400 Indian soldiers, was stationed at strategic coastal locations including Diamond Harbour, Madras (present day Chennai), Visakhapatnam, and Cochin. Under the emerging leadership of Basu Thakur, a network of disaffected soldiers began organizing quietly against British authority within the military.

Acts of Sabotage and Protest

As internal support for resistance grew, acts of sabotage were carried out by the group. Ammunition from the regiment was discreetly dumped into the sea, and army barracks were reportedly set on fire. In addition to sabotage, the soldiers began openly protesting discriminatory practices within the British Indian Army, highlighting the unequal treatment of Indian troops compared to their British counterparts.

These efforts marked a transition from ideological dissent to active rebellion, setting the stage for a larger revolt against colonial military command, which would unfold in 1943.

Failure of uprising & arrest

Return Home and Final Visit

Following the initial momentum of the Quit India Movement in 1942, the revolutionary fervour began to subside by late that year. During the Diwali festival—shortly after Durga Puja—Man Kumar Basu Thakur returned home to Malkhanagarh village on a four-week leave, a period that coincided with the Bengali festival of Bhai Phonta.

His return was a source of joy for his family and the local community. During this visit, he shared wartime stories with the village children and often played army tunes on his mouth organ late into the night—an experience fondly remembered by those who heard it in their youth. In a conversation with his younger sister during this period, he reportedly remarked:

“You know, they say that Bengalis are cowards, poor spirited. They are not meant to go to war. The cannons are all targeted to the West—to kill the enemies. We will change the direction of the cannons to the East one day, and then they will know what Bengalis can do.”

The full meaning of his statement was not fully grasped by his family at the time, but it foreshadowed the rebellion he would soon undertake.

Journey Back to Cochin

At the end of his leave, Basu Thakur commenced his return journey to Cochin, where his regiment was stationed. His route took him from Malkhanagarh to Dhaka, then to Narayanganj by train, followed by a steamer to Goalundo Ghat, and finally a train to Sealdah. From Howrah, he embarked on the long rail journey to Cochin, accompanied by several of his comrades.

Once back in Cochin, Basu Thakur resumed his duties while continuing to quietly organize with other like-minded soldiers. The conspirators held secret meetings, carefully planning a coordinated act of revolt within the British Indian Army.

Betrayal and Arrest

Despite their caution, the conspiracy was ultimately betrayed by a fellow Bengali soldier who informed British authorities of the plan. On 18 April 1943, Basu Thakur and ten other soldiers were arrested by military intelligence. Among those apprehended was Nirendra Mohan Mukhopadhyay, who was captured separately from Coco Islands.

Court-Martial and Charges

The arrested men were charged with sedition and conspiracy to revolt against the British Empire. They were tried in a military court under wartime regulations, which permitted the swift prosecution of individuals accused of treasonous activity within the armed forces.

Trial & imprisonment

Family Visit During Custody

Following his arrest, Man Kumar Basu Thakur was held in isolation in a secure facility located on an island near Cochin, under heavy military guard. His third brother, Priya Kumar Basu Thakur, an officer in the British Indian Army stationed at Firozpur, learned of his arrest by British authorities. He promptly took a ten-day leave and travelled to Cochin in an attempt to intervene.

Upon reaching the detention site, Priya Kumar was allowed to meet his brother under strict surveillance. An English military officer was present throughout the conversation, and they were prohibited from speaking in their native Bengali. When Priya Kumar, addressing him affectionately as “Sona dada” tried to warn him of the potential consequences, Mankumar responded defiantly, pointing to the British officer and declaring:

“These Britishers must quit India. They are the greatest criminals. They came as traders, became kings, and now emperors. They have killed thousands of Indians. They must flee from our Motherland.”

His passionate remarks prompted the British guards to raise their bayonets. Despite the danger, his brother later managed to visit him a second time.

Transfer and Mysterious Incident

Subsequently, the twelve arrested soldiers, including Mankumar, were transferred under heavy guard from Cochin to Bangalore. During the journey, a mysterious incident occurred: an unidentified person traveling in a nearby carriage was stabbed to death. It was rumoured that the victim had informed the British authorities about the planned uprising. The assailant, however, was never identified, and the case remains unsolved.

Military Trial in Bangalore

The court-martial was held at St. Andrew's Church, Bengaluru, where the accused were tried under military law. Reports indicate that the proceedings were heavily biased. Of the many witnesses called, 24 testified against the accused—some allegedly of questionable character—while 8 spoke in their defence, many of whom later faced harassment and torture for their support.

Mankumar and the others were reportedly subjected to physical and psychological torture during their imprisonment. They were kept under constant armed watch inside the church, which had been repurposed as a detention facility.

Trial Proceedings and Legal Representation

The trial took place on 6 July and 5 August 1943. It was presided over by Major C.M.D. Barnett, with Captain Solomon serving as prosecutor and Major N.S. Bhatt as defence counsel. The accused were made to wear cardboard placards around their necks with identification numbers—Mankumar was designated “Number One.” The trial was widely perceived by sympathizers as a procedural formality lacking genuine legal fairness.

Later, Man Kumar's eldest brother, Deb Kumar Basu Thakur, a police inspector by profession, retained the services of renowned barrister Mr. Barwell, who eventually agreed to represent the accused.

Appeals & Verdict

Attempt to Secure Legal Representation

Following the commencement of the court-martial proceedings in Bangalore, barrister Mr. Barwell, engaged by the family of Man Kumar Basu Thakur, arrived in the city and waited for seven days, expecting to be called for the defence. Mr. Barwell had agreed to represent the accused without any fee, but military authorities postponed his involvement, assuring him that they would inform him of the appropriate time to appear. However, this promise reportedly went unfulfilled, and he was never granted the opportunity to intervene during the trial.

Other Supporters and Denied Access

An advocate related to Chittaranjan Mukherjee, one of the accused, also travelled to Bangalore to provide legal assistance but was denied entry to the trial venue. Meanwhile, the mother of Chittaranjan Mukherjee made an extraordinary offer to donate ₹3 lakh to fund the legal defence not only of her son but of all the accused. Despite such efforts, the court-martial proceeded with limited or no representation for the prisoners, and they were not permitted to adequately present their defence.

Verdict and Sentencing

The trial concluded on 5 August 1943, with twelve soldiers tried in total:

1. Mankumar Basu Thakur (23)
2. Nandakumar De (25)
3. Niranjan Barua (23)
4. Chittaranjan Mukherjee (24)
5. Fanibhusan Chakraborty (23)
6. Sunil Mukhopadhyay (21)
7. Kalipada Aich (23)
8. Nirendra Mohan Mukhopadhyay (21)
9. Abdul Rahman
10. Rabindranath Ghosh
11. Amal Chandra Dey

Of these, the first nine were sentenced to death by hanging.

• Abdul Rahman and Rabindranath Ghosh were sentenced to transportation for life to Andamans.
• Amal Chandra Dey received a sentence of rigorous life imprisonment.

Execution and Martyrdom

Transfer to Mysore Jail and Reactions

Following their sentencing, the nine condemned soldiers were transferred from Bangalore to Mysore Central Jail, where their execution was scheduled for Friday, 24 September 1943. At the time, the jail housed nearly 200 political and convicted prisoners. According to an eyewitness account by Srikumaran, editor of the Bangalore Congress Central Committee (July 1946), the new arrivals, clad in black suits, entered the jail with handkerchiefs tied around their necks, a symbolic reference to the noose. This gesture alarmed the existing political prisoners, who quickly realized the newcomers were facing execution.

The impending hangings led to protests by the political inmates, who petitioned the princely state of Mysore, a native state with its own jurisdiction, to prevent the executions. As tensions rose, the British authorities covertly transferred the condemned prisoners under cover of night to avoid further unrest.

Final Moments and Execution

After a month and 24 days following the verdict, the nine revolutionaries were executed at Madras Central Prison. According to accounts, the prisoners embraced one another before mounting the gallows and collectively chanted "Vande Mataram" and sang the Indian national anthem as their final acts. Srikumaran later wrote in tribute:

“Nine valiant warriors marched to the gallows… left, right… left, right… left, right.”

British Attempt to Extract Information

The British authorities made concerted efforts to extract information about the alleged conspiracy by attempting to turn Mankumar Basu Thakur into an approver. They offered him wealth and a life of luxury, but he refused to betray his comrades. Aware that non-cooperation would likely lead to death, Man Kumar chose martyrdom over betrayal. His refusal remained steadfast even under intense torture and psychological pressure.

Letters to Family

Man Kumar was particularly close to his mother, Hemaprabha Devi. In a letter to his mother, written after his conviction, he expressed his moral conviction:

“Whatever I do, I first ask permission from you, mother, and also from Sanyasi Baba, and that is why I’m sure that I’m doing no wrong.”

In another letter, he wrote:

“Mother! I’m in grave danger. Why did this happen? Anything I do, I first ask permission from Sanyasi Baba and think of your face. Did I do anything wrong till now?”

To his younger sister, Manasi Ghosh, he wrote emotionally in both English and Bengali:

“September is the correct date of my passing away. In the dawn, when the flowers fall from the trees, at the same time my life will also fall for my nation like a flower. I shall see you in the next world…”

He further told his mother to look at the North Star at a specific hour in the evening, promising to do the same from the west coast, so that their souls might connect across the divide.

Legacy and Historical Record

Despite brutal treatment and the secrecy maintained by the British administration, Man Kumar Basu Thakur remained resolute. His sacrifice, along with that of Nandakumar, Chittaranjan, Sunil, and others, became part of the largely unacknowledged yet heroic narrative of India’s struggle for freedom.

Three years after the execution, on 18 March 1946, during a Q&A session before a commission led by Tej Bahadur Sapru and N. G. Ranga, Mr. P. Mason, Secretary of the British Defence Department, admitted in a 152-page report that the trial had indeed taken place. He confirmed that the accusations and defence arguments were documented, but acknowledged that the proceedings were kept secret, and the incident had never been made public until that moment.

Historical Significance and Legacy

The Cochin Mutiny and Its Place in History

In the long and complex history of India’s freedom struggle, the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 is often regarded as the initial spark of resistance against colonial rule. Though controversial in its intent and execution, it awakened the collective consciousness of a nation and planted the early seeds of rebellion. Nearly a century later, the 1943 mutiny by the soldiers of the Fourth Artillery Regiment of the British Indian Army emerged as another bold chapter in this ongoing fight. Known today as the Cochin Mutiny, this uprising remains largely unrecognized despite its implications for India’s eventual liberation.

The Cochin Mutiny instilled fear and uncertainty within the British establishment, particularly among the ranks of its armed forces. It may be viewed as a precursor to the more widely remembered Royal Indian Navy mutiny of 1946 in Bombay, which shook the foundations of British authority and hastened their retreat from India. The similarities in sentiment, structure, and execution suggest a continuum of dissent within the British Indian military apparatus.

Yet, despite its significance, the Cochin Mutiny was shrouded in secrecy. The British government ensured that news of the executions remained hidden from the Indian public. This is evidenced by a telegram sent by War Secretary P. Mason to the father of Mankumar, which falsely read:

“Your son Mankumar was killed in action – P. Mason, War Secretary.”

Letters from Death Row

In the final days before his execution, Mankumar, also known affectionately as Sreedhar, wrote a poignant letter to his brother-in-law, Dr. Pratul Chandra Rakhsit, a respected professor of chemistry at Presidency College Calcutta and member of the West Bengal Public Service Commission:

My Dear Jamai Babu,

I received your letters is with added encouragement for which I am much obliged. My shortcomings and any insolence, if I had any, you please forgive; for that moment has come when I require it with blessings for my departing soul. I am going to shake off my mortal coil in the early morning of Friday, 24th of September in the Central Jail of Bangalore.

I had undergone suffering beyond measure and at last bathed myself in the sunshine of purity and truth. The earthly reason of my passing away was a charge of mutiny against the crown. Be it as it may, my days are numbered and am now returning whence I came.

It goes without saying that I am lucky to go so soon leaving all my near and dear ones alive and happy. I have no hours of regret. I wish you will not grieve my loss because I could go pure in mind and body without any sort of malice of the world.

In the last moment of my life I thank you very much for all love and sympathy and material help from you which went a long way in my twenty-three years of life for moulding my civil career. I am grateful to you indeed.

Before I die I wish you may achieve laurels of success in your life and be happy with my loving sister. My love to you, Bela didi, Alu and Nilu. I want prayers from you all for peace of my soul. Your student—Durgadas Ray Choudhury—is also going with me.

Yours Loving,

Sreedhar

In a separate letter to his elder sister, Madhuri Rakhsit, he wrote:

My Dear Sejdi,

Your last letter in which you mentioned about Saint Father reached me but late. I could not write to you in time which I beg pardon. Sister, it is time for me to bid you goodbye. You will learn everything in Jamai Babu’s letter.

Mourne not my loss but pray for my soul to rest in peace. I wish you health and good luck.

My Love to You,

Yours Affectionate,

Sreedhar

Call to Historians and the Nation

When mortal bodies perish, their deeds and sacrifices endure. The story of these brave soldiers, particularly the twelve accused of mutiny in 1943, demands deeper scholarly attention. Their courage can rightfully be compared to the sacrifices made by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Fauj. However, unlike the INA, the Cochin mutineers’ story remains largely in obscurity. The motives behind the recruitment of these Bengali youth into the British Army remain a matter of speculation and need critical exploration.

As citizens of independent India, it is a moral responsibility to research and illuminate such suppressed chapters of our history. These were not isolated events—they were part of a larger continuum of rebellion that ultimately led to the freedom we enjoy today.

Conclusion

The Cochin Mutiny of 1943 was not just a rebellion; it was a freedom movement, carried out by soldiers willing to sacrifice their lives for the motherland. While the British Empire tried to erase their memory, their bravery and ideals are etched into the unwritten pages of Indian history. As time progresses, their deeds may fade from popular memory, but they will remain forever inscribed in the golden annals of Indian independence movement.

See also

• Satyen Chandra Bardhan
• Chittaranjan Mukherjee
• Sunil Mukhopadhyay
• Subhas Chandra Bose
• Tej Bahadur Sapru

Bibliography

• Hemendranath Dasgupta, Bharater Biplab Kahini, II & III, Calcutta, 1948;
• Ramesh Chandra Majumdar, History of the Freedom Movement in India, III, Calcutta 1963;
• Shailesh Dey, Ami Subhas Bolchi, Calcutta, 1966.
• Ganganarayan Chandra, Abismaraniya, Calcutta, 1966.
• Kalicharan Ghosh, Roll of Honour, Calcutta, 1960.

Further reading

• Chatterjee, J.C. Indian Revolutionaries in Conference.
• Gupta, Manmathnath (1972). History of the Indian Revolutionary Movement. Somaiya Publications PVT LTD, Bombay.
• Heehs, Peter. India's Freedom Struggle: A Short History (1857–1947).
• Nath, Shaileshwar. Terrorism in India.
• Vajpeyi, J.N. (1974). The Extremist Movement in India. Chugh Publications, India.

External links

• Indian culture portal Govt of India