No rebellion goes unpunished, and the same happened with the heroes of 1857 Mutiny, which Shri Veer Savarkar described as Bharat’s first struggle for independence. Shocked by the unity and courage of the rebels, the British government decided to crush the rebellion and punish the participants so harshly that no one would dare to rise again. Many of our heroes were executed, while others, labelled as “the worst criminals,” were sent to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands — a punishment later known as Kala Pani.

There were two main reasons why these islands were chosen. First, they were far away from the mainland, which helped isolate the revolutionaries from other Bharatiyas. Second, according to Hindu beliefs at the time, crossing the sea was considered impure, so sending them overseas ensured social isolation even after release.

The prisoners on these islands were subjected to unimaginable torture. Some of these were:

Solitary Confinement: Isolation was one of the cruelest forms of punishment. Humans are social beings, and being cut off from others can deeply affect their minds — sometimes even driving them insane. Each cell measured only 13.5 feet by 7 feet, with a tiny ventilator just 3 feet by 1 foot placed 10 feet high. The doors had iron bars, adding to the feeling of imprisonment.

Work Quotas: Every prisoner was given work targets that were nearly impossible to complete in the given time. Those who failed were punished brutally. They were forced to work extra hours at the oil-grinding mill, made to stand handcuffed for days, or given starvation diets for up to four days. Some were tied to crossbars with their feet spread apart for as long as ten days or confined in bar-fetters for extended periods.

Hellish Conditions: The prison was a living nightmare. Prisoners were not allowed to use toilets at night. They had to control themselves for 12 hours or beg the jailer for permission — which often resulted in extra punishment.

Unbearable Living Environment: Cells were infested with mosquitoes and scorpions. The food was inedible, and prisoners were given dirty, worm-filled rainwater to drink. Meals consisted of watery rice porridge (kanji) with boiled wild grass instead of vegetables.

Extreme Cruelty: The British displayed unimaginable cruelty. Prisoners were flogged, chained, and locked with iron rods and crossbars between their feet. Their physical and mental suffering was beyond description.

The punishment of Kala Pani was almost like a death sentence. It was meant for the most “notorious” revolutionaries. Many who were sent there lost all hope of returning home, yet some survived to tell their horrific stories.

Countless freedom fighters endured these tortures in silence. It is because of the sacrifices of these heroes that we live in a free nation today. In 1969, the Cellular Jail was turned into a national memorial. Its centenary was celebrated on 10 March 2006, marking 100 years since its construction was completed in 1906, and several surviving heroes were honoured.

However, as a nation, we have failed to give these heroes the recognition they deserve. Our history often focuses only on Gandhi and Nehru, ignoring those who suffered and gave their youth for Bharat’s freedom. These men were called “criminals” by the British, but for us, they are true heroes who sacrificed everything for Bharat’s future — a future they might never see.

Here are some of our heroes who were subject to imprisonment at Cellular Jail in the Andaman Island.

A we celebrate 150 years of Vande Mataram, it is time we remember these forgotten heroes and ensure they find their rightful place in our history books, hearts, and minds.