“Bengal Volunteers: The Silent Storm Behind India’s Revolution”

  "বল বীর— বল উন্নত মম শির! শির নেহারি’ আমারি নতশির সেই শির নয়!"

("Speak, hero — say my head is held high! The head bowed in fear is not mine!")
— Kazi Nazrul Islam

The story of India’s freedom struggle is incomplete without the fire-lit paths walked by the Bengal Volunteers — a group of young revolutionaries whose devotion to the motherland surpassed fear, fame, or even the survival instinct. Born in the wake of British oppression and inspired by the ideals of nationalism, they pledged not only their words but their lives to the cause of independence.

These brave hearts didn’t wait for history to remember them. They acted in the shadows, struck when least expected, and often died without the world ever learning their names. Yet, the tremor they created shook the very foundation of colonial power.

This post is a tribute to those forgotten flames — the boys who became martyrs before becoming men, the patriots who believed that liberty was worth more than life. In remembering the Bengal Volunteers, we recognise a legacy written not in ink but in blood, silence, and undying resolve.

Bengal Volunteers
AbbreviationB.V.
PredecessorMukti Sangha
SuccessorForward Bloc (some members)
Formation1928
FounderHemchandra Ghosh
Founded atDhaka, Bengal Presidency, British India
Dissolved1946 (de facto)
TypeRevolutionary organization
Legal statusDefunct
PurposeIndian independence through armed struggle
HeadquartersInitially Dhaka, later Calcutta (now Kolkata)
Region served
Bengal and other parts of British India
MembersBenoy Bose, Badal Gupta, Dinesh Gupta, Anath Bondhu Panja, Nikunja Sen, Prafulla Dutta, Ramkrishna Roy, Rasamoy Sur, Pradyot Bhattacharya, Bimal Dasgupta, Ujjwala Majumdar, Bhupendra Kishore Rakshit Roy
Official language
Bengali
Key Leaders
Hemchandra Ghosh, Satya Gupta, Latika Ghosh, Satya Ranjan Bakshi, Jyotish Joarder, Leela Roy, Dinesh Gupta
Publication
  • Benu (banned in 1934)
  • Chalar Pathe (1939)
AffiliationsJugantar, Anushilan Samiti, Sri Sangha, Atmonnati Samity, Forward Bloc

 The Bengal Volunteers (BV) was a secret Indian revolutionary organization in British India that aimed to secure Indian independence through armed resistance. It was founded by Hemchandra Ghosh, and its roots can be traced to the Dhaka Mukti Sangha in the early 20th century. Ghosh was inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, who told him that a subjugated nation had no religion other than liberation, as well as by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's Anandamath. He established the group after associating with leaders like Aurobindo Ghosh, Sister Nivedita, Bagha Jatin, and P. Mitra of the Anushilan Samiti, later aligning with Jugantar and Atmonnati Samiti.[1][2][3][4]

The Bengal Volunteers Corps and the BV Party were fundamentally the same organization, although the name Bengal Volunteers (BV) was adopted by the revolutionaries at a later stage. While the concept of the Volunteer Corps was promoted by Subhas Chandra Bose, the earlier revolutionary group Mukti Sangha, founded by Hemchandra Ghosh in 1905, evolved into the BV Party—establishing him as its de facto founder in both spirit and structure. Following the release of political prisoners in 1920, a younger generation—including Satya Gupta, Anil Roy, and Rasamoy Sur—joined the group, extending its presence to Calcutta, Dhaka, Mymensingh, 24 Parganas, and Midnapore.[5]

In 1928, under the guidance of Subhas Chandra Bose, the Mukti Sangha was reorganized into the Bengal Volunteers (BV) and took an active role in organizing the Calcutta Congress session. With its trained units, including a women's wing led by Latika Bose, the BV emerged as a militant revolutionary front. Its most well-known action was the 1930 attack on the Writers' Building, during which Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta, and Dinesh Gupta assassinated Inspector General N.S. Simpson and engaged in armed resistance. Following Dinesh's execution, further actions occurred, including the assassinations of Judges Peddie, Douglas, and Burge in Midnapore, carried out by revolutionaries such as Bimal Dasgupta, Pradyot Bhattacharya, and Anath Bondhu Panja.[6]

Prominent women such as Leela Nag, Kamala Das Gupta, and Ujjwala Majumdar played important roles in the Bengal Volunteers' activities, particularly through the formation of organizations like Dipali Sangha, Sri Sangha, and the publication of Jayashree. The BV maintained close ties with the Chittagong revolutionaries, and several members, including Satya Bakshi, later extended support to the Indian National Army (INA).[7]

Despite increasing repression, the group aided Subhas Chandra Bose's escape and maintained connections with the Forward Bloc after 1939. Although the BV's activity declined after 1935, many continued their political engagement through the Forward Bloc, leaving a lasting legacy in India's independence movement.[8][9]

Background and early evolution (before 1928)

Origins and formation of Dhaka Mukti Sangha

The Bengal Volunteers traced its ideological and organizational origins to a secret society founded by Hemchandra Ghosh in the early 20th century. Initially formed as the Dhaka Mukti Sangha, the group emerged from the growing nationalist sentiment in Eastern Bengal. Hemchandra, influenced by the concept of spiritual nationalism, was reportedly inspired by a conversation with Swami Vivekananda in April 1901. According to accounts, when Hemchandra inquired about religious duties, Swami Vivekananda is said to have responded with passionate conviction, emphasizing that the foremost duty of a subjugated people was the pursuit of national liberation: "Strike down the plunderers and tear them to shreds — that is the heroic message, the dharma of the brave!" (Bengali: "লুঠেরাদের মেরে ছিঁচে দিবি—এই হল বীরবাণী, বীরধর্ম!"). This encounter had a lasting influence on the young nationalist, reinforcing his belief that the struggle for India's independence was a sacred responsibility. [10][11]

The Sangha later coordinated its activities with other revolutionary organizations, notably Jugantar, led by Bagha Jatin, and the Atmonnati Samiti, headed by Bipin Behari Ganguli. One of its earliest significant actions was the 1909 assassination of police inspector Nandalal Bannerjee, carried out by Srish Pal and Ranen Ganguli, as part of a broader anti-colonial strategy.[12]

Hemchandra Ghosh, a veteran revolutionary, was the principal architect of both the Mukti Sangha and the Bengal Volunteers (B.V.).

Growth, repression, and reorganization

The Rodda arms heist of 1914 represented a pivotal moment in Bengal's revolutionary movement. A substantial consignment of Mauser pistols and cartridges was seized from the British firm Rodda & Co. in Calcutta, with the active involvement of Mukti Sangha members such as Srish Pal, Haridas Dutta, and Shrish Mitra, in coordination with other revolutionary groups including the Atmonnati Samiti.

In the aftermath of the failed Indo-German Conspiracy and the unsuccessful 1915 uprising led by Bagha Jatin and Rash Behari Bose, British colonial authorities escalated their efforts to suppress revolutionary activities. Hemchandra Ghosh was detained without trial under Regulation III, and many of his associates were arrested or placed under surveillance. However, the implementation of the Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms led to the release of most political prisoners by 1920. In the wake of these developments, several senior revolutionaries temporarily withdrew from public activity, creating space for a new generation of activists to assume leadership roles in the continued struggle for independence.[13][14]

Under the leadership of figures such as Pramatha Choudhury, a core group of revolutionary activity was maintained in Dhaka. By the early 1920s, new members including Satya Gupta, Rasamoy Sur, Prafulla Dutta, Bhabesh Nandi, Anil Roy, Suren Nag, Prafulla Mukherjee, Manindra Roy, and Bhupendra Kishore Rakshit Roy joined the organization. These recruits helped extend revolutionary influence across Calcutta, Dhaka, Comilla, Midnapore, Mymensingh, and 24 Parganas. Secret meetings were held regularly to avoid detection by colonial police, and senior leaders deliberately refrained from interacting with new members during the day to minimize the risk of exposure.[15]

The organization's headquarters gradually shifted from Dhaka to Calcutta, where Satya Ranjan Bakshi joined Hemchandra Ghosh and took charge of editing the Forward Patrika, which was associated with the Swaraj Party. By 1922, several affiliated groups—including Sri Sangha, Shanti Sangha, and Dhruva Sangha—were established. These organizations engaged in social welfare activities in public while discreetly mentoring students and coordinating revolutionary efforts in private. The Mukti Sangha maintained informal cooperation with Jugantar until the early 1930s, when strategic disagreements—particularly concerning Subhas Chandra Bose—led to ideological differences and organizational divergence.[16]

Background of the Bengal Volunteers Corps

The Bengal Volunteers Corps, formally established during the Calcutta Congress Session of 1928 under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose, originated from earlier initiatives aimed at integrating Bengal's revolutionary youth with the broader Indian National Congress movement. In 1921, after joining the Congress under Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, Subhas Bose identified a growing disconnect between the Congress's policy of non-violent resistance and the aspirations of Bengal's armed revolutionaries.[17]

A significant meeting in September 1921, attended by Mahatma Gandhi, Deshbandhu Das, Subhas Bose, and several revolutionaries, attempted to reconcile these approaches. The outcome became visible during the Hartal Day on 17 November 1921, when a disciplined volunteer procession led by Subhas Bose—including women like Basanti Devi—prompted British authorities to impose a ban on such public parades.[18][19]

Bose's experience during the 1922 North Bengal floods, where he organized over 1,000 volunteers, further underscored the importance of an organized and disciplined cadre. The formation of the Swaraj Party in 1923 provided a political platform for cooperation between nationalists and revolutionaries. These formative experiences in relief, discipline, and political engagement laid the foundation for the creation of the Bengal Volunteers Corps, a structured organization of ideologically committed youth.[20][21]

Subhas Chandra Bose with volunteer crops in 1929.

Kolkata Congress session, 1928

The Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress, held in December 1928, marked a significant moment in India's independence movement. Presided over by Motilal Nehru and convened at Park Circus Maidan, the session focused on critical political developments, including the debate surrounding the Nehru Report, which advocated for dominion status for India within the British Empire. Mahatma Gandhi supported a resolution calling on the British government to grant dominion status within two years, after which the Congress would pursue full independence. However, leaders such as Subhas Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru opposed the delay and demanded an immediate and unequivocal call for complete independence.[22][23][24][25]

In addition to political deliberations, the Calcutta Congress Session gained attention for its unprecedented scale and the disciplined volunteer force that managed the event. Subhas Chandra Bose served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Congress Volunteer Corps, which was organized with notable military precision. Approximately 2,000 young volunteers, dressed in military-style uniforms, were trained to oversee the management and coordination of the session's proceedings, marking a significant development in the use of disciplined cadres within the Indian nationalist movement.[22][23][24][25]

The impressive organization and parade of volunteers under Subhas Chandra Bose's leadership attracted considerable public attention. While many admired the display, Mahatma Gandhi reportedly expressed disapproval of its militarized character and is said to have referred to the volunteer parade as a "circus."[30][26][27]

Subhas Bose (in military uniform) with Congress president, Motilal Nehru, taking the salute. Annual meeting,Indian National Congress, 29 December 1928.

Birth of the Bengal Volunteers

The year 1928 marked a pivotal shift in the trajectory of the Mukti Sangha. Under the leadership and ideological influence of Subhas Chandra Bose, the organization evolved into the Bengal Volunteers, a more structured and publicly disciplined nationalist group. This transformation was instrumental in organizing the Calcutta Congress Session of that year. The change was not merely in name; it reflected a broader strategic shift in Bengal's revolutionary movement—one that sought to integrate military-style discipline with political mobilization and active participation in the national struggle.[28]

During the Calcutta Congress Session, the Bengal Volunteers functioned as a full-fledged volunteer corps, trained under the close supervision of Satya Gupta and Jatindranath Das. The organization included both male and female volunteers, with the women's wing—led by Latika Bose—recognized for its coordination and effectiveness. In later years, this unit was often regarded as a precursor to the Rani Jhansi Regiment of the Indian National Army, which was established approximately fifteen years later in Singapore under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose.[29]

The Bengal Volunteers received support from multiple revolutionary networks across Bengal, including the Mukti Sangha, led by Hemchandra Ghosh, and the Sri Sangha, founded by Anil Roy and Leela Nag.

By the end of 1928, a tactical organizational separation occurred within the Mukti Sangha. The Sri Sangha, under the leadership of Anil Roy and Leela Nag, was formally designated as a distinct entity. This move aimed to protect Sri Sangha from potential government reprisals related to the militant activities of the Bengal Volunteers. Despite the split, both groups maintained close collaboration, with Sri Sangha members continuing to assist in covert operations.[30][31]

Prominent members of the Sri Sangha during this period included Anil Das, Rebati Mohan Barman, and Renu Sen. Despite the formal organizational separation, both branches of the movement remained united in their ideological commitment to India's independence and continued collaborating in revolutionary planning and mobilization throughout Bengal.[32][33]

Top: Anil & Leela, a patriotic duo; Bottom (left to right): Anil Roy, Leela Nag.
Subhas Chandra Bose served as the General Officer-in-Command.

Training and public mobilization

In the lead-up to the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress in 1928, the Bengal Volunteers undertook extensive efforts to train and mobilize nationalist youth into a disciplined volunteer corps. Under the leadership of Hemchandra Ghosh, Jatindra Nath Das, and Satya Gupta, the organization implemented a structured training program designed to cultivate discipline, physical endurance, and nationalist commitment among teenage and college-aged recruits. Regular drills were held in public spaces such as Park Circus and the Maidan, where volunteers practiced coordinated marching, guard duties, and crowd management techniques. Major Satya Gupta and Major Jatindranath Das personally supervised the training regimen, introducing military-style discipline within the ranks of the Bengal Volunteers. According to Gupta's later writings, the exercises were both physically rigorous and ideologically driven. In one documented instance, a volunteer named Anil Roy Chowdhury died of sunstroke during field training, underscoring the level of commitment and personal sacrifice associated with participation in the movement.[34][35]

From left to right: Satya Gupta and Jatindra Nath Das, they trained the Bengal Volunteers corps in military costumes.

Broader impact

Jatindranath Das was noted for his exceptional dedication to the Bengal Volunteers. According to contemporaries, he canvassed neighbourhoods such as Calcutta, Chetla, Ballygunge, and Kidderpore, often going door to door under intense tropical heat to encourage young men to join the Volunteer Corps. His grassroots mobilization efforts significantly contributed to the organization's expansion in the lead-up to the 1928 Congress session.

The session itself was widely recognized for its organized parades, identity checks, and volunteer formations, all of which reflected a high degree of discipline. While Mahatma Gandhi reportedly dismissed the militarized demonstration as a "children's pantomime," others viewed it as a symbol of organizational capability and nationalist determination. A concurrent national exhibition further underscored the logistical competence of the Bengal Volunteers.[36][37]

The Bengal Volunteers Corps operated under the guise of a Congress volunteer organization to avoid detection by British colonial authorities. Prominent members included Dinesh Gupta, Benoy Krishna Basu, Badal Gupta, Ganesh Ghosh, Mukul Sen, Surya Sen, among others. Subhas Chandra Bose served as the General Officer-in-Command, with Satya Gupta acting as the All-India Director. Hemchandra Ghosh functioned as the ideological mentor of the group, while Benoy Basu held the rank of Major in charge of East Bengal, and Badal Gupta served as a Lieutenant.[38][39]

Subhas with Bengal Volunteers in Midnapore, 1929.

The broader influence of this organizational model was later acknowledged by Satya Gupta, who referred to it as a "new weapon" in India's anti-colonial movement. Inspired by the example of the Bengal Volunteers, similar formations began to emerge across the country, including the Punjab Volunteers, Delhi Volunteers, Bombay People's Battalion, and the Red Shirts in the North-West Frontier Province, all emphasizing discipline, public engagement, and grassroots mobilization.[40][41][42]

Arrest of Jatindranath Das & his death

Following the Calcutta Congress Session, Jatindra Nath Das remained active in revolutionary circles. On 11 June 1929, he was arrested in connection with the Lahore Conspiracy Case, which also involved Bhagat Singh and other members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).[43] Das was among twenty-three individuals taken into custody, of whom seven later turned approvers during the course of the trial.[44][45]

Before being taken to Lahore for trial, Jatindra Nath Das reportedly told his colleague:

Perhaps I shall not come back but keep the Volunteer movement alive and see that it does not collapse.

His words would later prove prophetic. While imprisoned in Lahore Central Jail, Jatindranath Das undertook a hunger strike to protest the treatment of political prisoners. After fasting for 63 days, he died on 13 September 1929, becoming one of the early martyrs of the Indian revolutionary movement. His death drew nationwide attention and heightened public awareness of the conditions faced by political detainees under British colonial rule.[46]

Top to bottom: Jatindra Nath Das, Jatin on his death bed.

In the years following, several leaders of the Bengal Volunteers were prosecuted for sedition in the Alipore Special Court, primarily for organizing events such as Jatindranath Das Day and All-India Political Prisoners' Day, which the colonial authorities deemed seditious. Their increasing association with prominent revolutionaries such as Bhagat Singh led to heightened surveillance and more aggressive repression by British colonial officials.

Branches and organizational structure

Following its establishment in late 1928, the Bengal Volunteers (BV) emerged as a disciplined and structured revolutionary organization with an expanding presence across Bengal. Although Subhas Chandra Bose is often associated with the founding of the group during the Calcutta Congress Session, the primary leadership and ideological direction were provided by Hemchandra Ghosh.[47][48]

Subhas Bose with Motilal Nehru and Jatindra Mohan Sengupta at annual meeting, Indian National Congress, 29 December 1928

Hemchandra Ghosh, operating primarily behind the scenes, collaborated closely with senior revolutionaries to shape the strategic direction of the Bengal Volunteers. Satya Gupta was responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and organizational management, while policies and tactical plans were formulated collectively through consultations with senior members of the group.

The Bengal Volunteers operated through a dual-branch structure:

  • Organizational Branch: This division focused on recruitment, ideological propaganda, physical training, and the establishment of local centres. It was led by Jyotish Joarder, assisted by Manindra Roy, Suren Nag, Suren Datta, and others.
  • Action Squad: Responsible for executing revolutionary operations, this branch was headed by Rasamoy Sur, with key members including Haridas Dutta, Prafulla Dutta, Nikunja Sen, Supati Roy, and Suresh Majumdar.

To expand its influence, the Bengal Volunteers dispatched experienced members to various districts to establish regional centres. These units conducted physical training, promoted youth mobilization, and carried out social service, replicating the organizational model developed in Kolkata. The aim was to cultivate patriotism and prepare cadres for direct action.[49][50]

The group's central operations were based in Kolkata. The primary office, located at 93/1/F Baithak Khana Road, housed the editorial unit of their monthly publication, Benu, edited by Bhupendra Kishore Rakshit Roy. A second, more discreet operations centre at 7 Waliulla Lane functioned as the planning hub for armed missions and strategic coordination.[51][52]

Several secret hideouts served as safe houses and venues for strategic meetings. These included the residence of Suresh Majumdar in Beliaghata, the house of Animesh Roy and Himanshu Banerjee on Park Street, Rajen Guha's home in Metiabruz, and a location near Jagubazar associated with Prafulla Dutta's father-in-law, a judge. These sites were used to store arms and shelter fugitives.

Financial support for the Bengal Volunteers came primarily from voluntary contributions and sympathetic patrons. Notable among these were Raja Debendralal Khan of Narajole Raj and the Nand family of Mugberia in Kanthi, who provided both funding and logistical assistance. According to Bhupendra Kishore Rakshit Roy, nearly ₹5,000 was raised through voluntary means, reflecting significant backing from sections of Bengal's landed elite. Kolkata emerged as both the colonial administrative hub and a key centre of underground revolutionary activity.[53][54][55]

From top left to bottom right: Rasamoy Sur, Haridas Dutta, Prafulla Dutta, Nikunja Sen, Supati Roy, and Suresh Chandra Majumdar. Members of the Action squad.

Collaboration with the Chittagong Group

The Bengal Volunteers Corps maintained active branches across Bengal, with Surya Sen (popularly known as Masterda) among the earliest proponents of its cause in East Bengal. Between 1921 and 1930, two major revolutionary organizations—the Chittagong branch of the Indian Republican Army led by Surya Sen, and the Bengal Volunteers under Hemchandra Ghosh—emerged as disciplined and clandestine groups committed to armed resistance. Though originally independent, they shared similar ideological objectives and tactical strategies. By 1928, prominent Chittagong revolutionaries such as Ananta Singh, Lokenath Bal, Ambika Chakrabarty, and Ganesh Ghosh became affiliated with the Bengal Volunteers.

Top row (left to right): Surya Sen, Ananta Singh; Bottom row (left to right): Lokenath Bal, Ambika Chakrabarty, and Ganesh Ghosh.

Surya Sen maintained correspondence with the Bengal Volunteers and led anti-colonial operations as a key revolutionary figure in Chittagong. In 1929, under his initiative, a political conference was convened in Chittagong to portray revolutionaries as political workers advocating a militant nationalist ideology. Notable attendees included Subhas Chandra Bose, Jatindra Mohan Sengupta, Jyotish Ghosh, Nripen Bandopadhyay, and Latika Ghosh. Bose's participation reflected his continued engagement with revolutionary circles from within the Indian National Congress, as well as his efforts to expand the influence of the Bengal Volunteers throughout Bengal. By 1934, the British government had officially proscribed Surya Sen's organization.[56][57] The Bengal Volunteers also maintained strategic connections with both the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar, with figures such as Mukul Sen, Kiran Chandra Mukherjee, and Bhupendra Datta facilitating coordination among revolutionary networks across the province.[58]

Expansion of networks and role of women

A women's wing of the Bengal Volunteers Corps was established under the initiative of Subhas Chandra Bose, with Latika Ghose appointed as its leader. During the Calcutta Congress session of 1928, approximately 300 women volunteers participated in a military-style march, marking a significant moment in the politicization of women in the nationalist movement. This formation was later regarded as a precursor to the Rani of Jhansi Regiment of the Azad Hind Fauj.

Bose's revolutionary ideals attracted a number of women to the cause, including Bina Das, Suniti Choudhury, and Santi Ghose, who were reportedly influenced by his example. According to historian Geraldine Forbes, Bose's charisma and ideological commitment were key motivators for many women who joined the movement. At forums such as the Tripura Student Conference (1931) and the Bengal Provincial Congress at Berhampore, Bose encouraged women's participation in armed struggle, inspiring figures like Prafulla Nalini Brahma and Santi Ghose.[59][60]

Prominent women associated with the Bengal Volunteers included Ujjwala Majumdar, Kamala Das Gupta, and Mira Datta Gupta. Among them, Bina Das gained particular attention for her act on 6 February 1932, when she attempted to assassinate Governor Stanley Jackson during the Calcutta University convocation, an event that came to symbolize the growing role of women in revolutionary politics.

Top row (left to right): Bina Das, Kamala Das Gupta, Ujjwala Majumdar; Bottom row (left to right): Santi Ghose, Suniti Choudhury, and Prafulla Nalini Brahma.

In parallel, the Bengal Volunteers expanded their operations in the Midnapore district, where a coordinated volunteer network was developed under the leadership of Dinesh Gupta, who was assigned to the region by Satya Gupta. This group was later involved in the assassinations of three British magistrates, actions that attracted considerable attention from the colonial administration. Known for his tactical abilities, Dinesh Gupta led efforts to recruit and train a dedicated cadre of revolutionaries in the district.[61][62]

"Operation Freedom" and targeted assassinations (1930–1934)

In the early 1930s, the Bengal Volunteers initiated a series of coordinated revolutionary activities internally referred to as "Operation Freedom". Originally intended as a protest against the treatment of political prisoners, the campaign evolved into a strategic plan involving the targeted assassinations of British officials perceived to be responsible for repressive measures and communal tensions.[63][64][65]

The campaign was directed by the Action Squad of the Bengal Volunteers, led by Rasamoy Sur. Key members included Haridas Dutta, Prafulla Dutta, Nikunja Sen, and Supati Roy. Prafulla Dutta was responsible for providing arms, strategic planning, and coordination, while other members focused on the recruitment of young volunteers.

29 August 1930 – assassination of Inspector General Lowman (Dhaka)

Benoy Krishna Basu, a medical student and Major in the B.V., executed the plan to assassinate Inspector General Lowman, notorious for his repression. Lowman was shot dead at Sir Salimullah Medical College, and Officer Hudson, known for inciting communal tension, was injured. Supati Roy facilitated Basu's escape to Calcutta. This marked the beginning of BV's direct-action phase.[66][67][68]

18 April 1930 – Chittagong armoury raid

In parallel, Surya Sen led the Chittagong Armoury Raid in 1930, an attempt to declare open resistance against British rule by seizing the armoury and disrupting colonial communications—an act that symbolized the broader militant upsurge in Bengal. Notably, many of the young revolutionaries involved in the raid wore military-style uniforms that had earlier been used by the Congress Volunteer Corps during the 1928 Calcutta Congress Session, underscoring the ideological and organizational continuity between nationalist mobilization and armed revolutionary activity.[69][70]

8 December 1930 – Writers' Building attack, Calcutta

In retaliation for reported prison brutalities, including an alleged attack on Subhas Chandra Bose at Alipore Jail under Superintendent Som Datta, the Bengal Volunteers planned a high-profile operation targeting Colonel N.S. Simpson, the Inspector General of Prisons.[71][72]

On 8 December 1930, three members—Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta, and Dinesh Gupta—entered the Writers' Building in Dalhousie Square and fatally shot Simpson.[73][74]

A gunfight ensued. Badal took poison and died, Benoy shot himself and died on 13 December, and Dinesh was captured and subsequently hanged on 7 July 1931 at Alipore Jail.[75][76][77]

Bidhan Chandra Roy, then Mayor of Calcutta, stated[78][79][80]:

 

Even if he strayed, we cannot refrain from praising his dedication, courage, and self-sacrifice.

From left to right: Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta, and Dinesh Gupta.

7 April 1931 – Assassination of magistrate James Peddie (Midnapore)

James Peddie, a 38-year-old Indian Civil Service officer from Springfield, was appointed district magistrate of Midnapore, where he became known for his strict suppression of revolutionary activities, including harsh treatment of Salt Satyagrahis and reported public humiliation of women. On the day of a school exhibition at Midnapore Collegiate School, he was assassinated by Jyoti Jibon Ghosh and Bimal Dasgupta, members of the Bengal Volunteers. After the attack, the assailants escaped by bicycle, boarded separate trains from Godapiasal and Salboni, and fled through Purulia and Asansol, eventually reaching Calcutta.[81][82][83]

From left to right: Jyoti Jibon Ghosh, Bimal Dasgupta.

27 July 1931 – Assassination of Judge R.R. Galik

Kanailal Bhattacharjee of 24 Parganas, operating under the alias Bimal Dasgupta, assassinated Judge R.R. Galik, who had sentenced Dinesh Gupta.[84] After being shot by a sergeant, Bhattacharjee consumed potassium cyanide and died at the scene. A note found in his pocket read[85][86][87]:

"Your death is your reward for hanging Dinesh Gupta."

From left to right: Kanailal Bhattacharjee & Judge R.R. Garlick.

29 July 1931 – Attempted assassination of Villiers

In response to derogatory remarks attributed to E. Villiers, President of the European Association, the Bengal Volunteers planned his assassination. Villiers had reportedly stated:

 

No truck with terrorists. Give the dog a bad name and hang him. If another European is shot, an Indian detainee should be killed.

E. Villiers was associated with the Royalist Association, a group formed by Europeans and Anglo-Indians to oppose Bengali revolutionary activities publicly. He owned M/s Villiers & Company, headquartered in Gillander House, 8 Clive Street. Following the assassination of Midnapore District Magistrate James Peddie, Bimal Krishna Dasgupta was assigned to assassinate Villiers. The operation was scheduled for 29 October 1931. Gillander House accompanied by Benoy Sengupta, who pointed out Villiers' office before departing. Bimal persuaded the peon to admit him while Villiers was engaged in a meeting with three Royalist members. As the meeting concluded, Bimal fired three shots; however, Villiers evaded serious injury by ducking under the table, sustaining only minor wounds.[88][89]

From left: Bimal Dasgupta after his arrest (left) and Gillander House, Kolkata (right), where he attempted to assassinate Villiers on the third floor.

Realizing escape was impossible, Bimal Krishna Dasgupta attempted to consume poison but was apprehended after being struck with a chair. He was subjected to severe interrogation at Lalbazar and subsequently sentenced to ten years imprisonment in the Andaman Cellular Jail.[90][91][92]

30 April 1932 – Assassination of magistrate Robert Douglas

The second magistrate, Robert Douglas, who was held responsible for the deaths of detainees Santosh Kumar Mitra and Tarakeswar Sengupta at Hijli Detention Camp, was assassinated during a District Board meeting by Prabhanshu Sekhar Pal and Pradyot Kumar Bhattacharya. Douglas was killed in the attack. Prabhanshu Sekhar Pal managed to escape.[93][94]

Pradyot Bhattacharya was arrested at the scene and later sentenced to death. He was executed on 12 January 1933 at Midnapore Central Jail. Following her son's sentencing, Pankajini Devi made desperate efforts to save his life, appealing to the Viceroy of British India and sending a telegram to King George V pleading for clemency. Despite these appeals, the sentence was carried out.[95][96][97]

Following the assassination of District Magistrate Robert Douglas, his successor, Bernard E. J. Burge, personally escorted Pradyot Bhattacharya to the gallows. When Burge asked, "Are you ready?" Pradyot calmly replied, "One minute, Mr. Burge, I have something to say." After receiving permission, he smiled and declared:

 

We are determined, Mr. Burge. The British rulers will not remain in Midnapore for long. You're next—be prepared.[103]

2 September 1933 – Assassination of magistrate Bernard E. J. Burge

Bernard E. J. Burge accepted the challenging post of District Magistrate of Midnapore, a position many of his peers hesitated to assume following the assassinations of his predecessors. A keen sportsman and former captain of the Ballygunge Cricket Club, Burge also served as President of the Town Club of Midnapore. On 2 September 1933, he participated in a high-profile football match against the Mohammedan Sporting Club at the crowded Midnapore police ground.

Confident in the public setting's security and the unifying appeal of football, Burge arrived at 5:30 p.m., unaware that five armed revolutionaries—Brajakishore Chakraborty, Ramkrishna Roy, Nirmal Jibon Ghosh, Mrigen Dutta, and Anath Bondhu Panja—were waiting in the crowd. The group had travelled from Calcutta armed with firearms, under the leadership of Brajakishore Chakraborty.

As Burge stepped out of his car, he was fatally shot at close range. During the ensuing gunfire, Anath Bondhu Panja was killed on the spot, and Mrigen Dutta died the following day. This operation was notable as the first in which none of the attackers escaped.[98][99][100][101]

From left to right: Anath Bondhu Panja & Mrigendra Dutta.

Following the attack, key members including Kamakhya Charan Ghosh, Sanatan Roy, Sukumar Sengupta, Purnananda Sanyal, Santi Gopal Sen, Saroj Das, and Sailesh Ghosh were arrested. Sailesh Ghosh turned approver, which led to the arrests of Khitiprasanna Sengupta, Nirmal Jibon Ghosh, Ramkrishna Roy, and Brajakishore Chakraborty.[102][103]

A special tribunal under the Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act (1925) sentenced them to death:[104]

Others received rigorous imprisonment.[105][106][107][108]

The successful assassinations of three District Magistrates—James Peddie, Robert Douglas, and Bernard E. J. Burge—by young militant nationalists of the Bengal Volunteers marked a significant and unprecedented achievement. These actions instilled fear within the British administration. In response, officials and their families in both India and England demanded severe reprisals, calling for stringent measures aimed at transforming the Bengal Presidency into a tightly controlled region under strict surveillance.

19 April 1934 – Death of Ramjan Mian

During his tenure in Ireland, John Anderson employed First World War veterans known as the Black and Tans to suppress local resistance—a strategy he later adapted in Bengal during his term as Governor. In 1932, Anderson introduced a set of repressive laws aimed at curbing revolutionary activity: the Bengal Suppression of Terrorist Outrages Act, the Special Powers Ordinance, and the Criminal Law (Arms and Explosives) Act, which allowed for life imprisonment or capital punishment for possession of weapons intended for use against British officials.

In this context, Sukumar Ghosh and Madhu Banerjee, members of the Bengal Volunteers, shot Ramjan Mian, a police informer, while returning from a meeting at the residence of Motilal Mallik. Mallik was arrested in connection with the incident and was later executed at Dhaka Central Jail on 15 December 1934.[109][110]

Motilal Mallik

6 May 1934 – Attempted assassination of Governor John Anderson (Darjeeling)

In retaliation for the repressive policies enacted by Governor John Anderson, the Bengal Volunteers organized an assassination attempt. Bhabani Prasad Bhattacharya concealed a pistol inside a harmonium, which was transported by Ujjwala Majumdar, posing as a married couple alongside Manoranjan Banerjee. At the Lebong Racecourse, Bhattacharya and his associate Rabindra Banerjee opened fire, injuring Anderson, though he survived the attempt.

Both Bhabani and Rabindra were arrested at the scene and later sentenced to death. However, Rabindra Banerjee, reportedly from a wealthy background and associated with the Dhaka Christian Society, was eventually released and sent to England.[111]Bhabani Prasad Bhattacharya was executed at Rajshahi Jail on 28 January 1935, while other associates received terms of rigorous imprisonment.[112]

Bhabani reportedly declared during his trial,

 

I came to assassinate the governor. my objective was to murder him.[119]

From left to right: Bhabani Prasad Bhattacharya and Rabindra Bannerjee.

In the wake of the high-profile assassinations carried out by the Bengal Volunteers and allied revolutionary groups in the early 1930s, the British colonial administration introduced a series of stringent legal measures aimed at suppressing militant nationalism in Bengal. Implemented under the authority of Governor John Anderson, these laws significantly expanded executive powers and curtailed civil liberties, enabling the rapid prosecution and detention of suspected revolutionaries.[113][114][115]

1. Bengal Suppression of Terrorist Outrages Act (1932):

This law provided sweeping authority to police and district magistrates, including indefinite detention without trial, collective punishment in "disturbed" areas, and the use of special tribunals for speedy trials.[116] It was aimed specifically at dismantling revolutionary outfits like the Bengal Volunteers and Anushilan Samiti.[117][118]

2. Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance (1932):

This ordinance enabled trial without jury and denied the right of appeal to higher courts. It relaxed evidentiary standards, allowing conviction based on minimal or circumstantial proof—often targeting entire networks based on tenuous links.[119][120]

3. Bengal Criminal Law (Arms and Explosives) Act (1932):

This statute-imposed life imprisonment or death for mere possession of arms or explosives, regardless of usage. It empowered the police to conduct warrantless searches, making it a powerful tool against political activists and sympathisers.[121][122][123]

4. Bengal Special Powers Ordinance (1932):

This ordinance gave sweeping authority to arrest without warrant, ban publications, and suppress organizations deemed "dangerous". Educational institutions came under close surveillance, and literature associated with dissent was systematically banned.[124][125]

Together, these acts formed the legal foundation for widespread repression across Bengal during the height of the revolutionary movement. They marked a shift from normal jurisprudence to extraordinary legal governance, aimed at eliminating nationalist resistance through coercion and fear.[126]

Sir John Anderson, the Governor of Bengal
Top: Strengthening of British Police force; Bottom: British Police force.

Martyrs of the Bengal Volunteers

The Bengal Volunteers (BV) was among the most active and organized revolutionary organizations in British India, particularly between 1928 and 1935. Founded under the ideological influence of Subhas Chandra Bose and shaped by the disciplined leadership of figures such as Hemchandra Ghosh, Satya Gupta, and Rasamoy Sur, the group carried out a series of coordinated anti-colonial operations and political assassinations across Bengal. These actions, often organized under the internal campaign referred to as "Operation Freedom", primarily targeted British officials perceived to be responsible for acts of repression, communal incitement, or custodial violence.[127][128][129]

Numerous young men and women, many from modest backgrounds, participated in these activities and lost their lives during the course of the Indian independence movement. Their deaths occurred through executions, armed encounters, suicides during operations, or as a result of custodial torture and hunger strikes. Their efforts are noted for their commitment, strategic organization, and impact on the broader struggle for Indian independence movement.[130][131]

The following table provides a list of known martyrs[132][133] from the Bengal Volunteers, including dates of death, cause, and the specific operation or context associated with their deaths.[134][135]

NameDate of DeathCause of DeathCase Involved
Jatindra Nath Das13 September 1929Death due to 63-day hunger strike in Lahore JailProtest against inhuman jail treatment in Lahore Conspiracy Case
Badal Gupta8 December 1930Consumed Potassium cyanide after confrontationAssassination of I.G. Prisons N.S. Simpson (Writers' Building Attack)
Benoy Krishna Basu13 December 1930Suicide from a self-inflicted gunshotAssassination of I.G. Prisons N.S. Simpson (Writers' Building Attack)
Dinesh Gupta7 July 1931Hanged in Alipore JailWriters' Building attack (Simpson assassination)
Kanailal Bhattacharjee27 July 1931Consumed Potassium cyanide after confrontationAssassination of Justice R.R. Galik (revenge for Dinesh's death sentence)
Pradyot Kumar Bhattacharya12 January 1933Hanged in Midnapore Central JailAssassination of Midnapore D.M. Robert Douglas
Anath Bondhu Panja2 September 1933Shot dead during escapeAssassination of Bernard E.J. Burge (Midnapore football ground)
Mrigendranath Dutta2 September 1933Died of bullet injuriesAssassination of Bernard E.J. Burge (Midnapore football ground)
Ramkrishna Roy25 October 1934Hanged in Midnapore Central JailBurge assassination trial and conviction
Brajakishore Chakraborty25 October 1934Hanged in Midnapore Central JailBurge assassination trial and conviction
Nirmal Jibon Ghosh26 October 1934Hanged in Midnapore Central JailBurge assassination trial and conviction
Motilal Mallik15 December 1934Hanged in Dhaka Central JailArrested after a revolutionary meeting; linked to the death of a police informer
Bhabani Prasad Bhattacharya3 February 1935Hanged in Rajshahi Central JailAttempted assassination of Governor John Anderson in Darjeeling
Naba Jibon Ghosh23 September 1936died in Gopalganj JailWas the brother of Nirmal Jibon Ghosh; detained in various jails; died in custody due to torture, but believed to have committed suicide
Hrishikesh Saha16 August 1942gunshot woundParticipated in Quit India Movement & organised and led protests in Dhaka.
Jatish Guhac. 1942 (exact date unknown)Died in British military custody due to torture in Delhi FortInvolved in Subhas Bose's escape plan
From left to right: Naba Jibon Ghosh and Jatish Guha. Died due to torture suffered in British custody.

Arrests and final years

The Bengal Volunteers faced a series of systematic crackdowns by British authorities, with key leaders arrested in successive waves between 1930 and 1933:[136]

After a prolonged phase of suppression and mass arrests, the Bengal Volunteers re-emerged in the public sphere following the release of key members in 1937.[138]

Final phase and political transition (1937–1946)

Under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose, the Bengal Volunteers began transitioning from clandestine revolutionary activities to more mainstream political engagement. This shift was marked by the launch of the monthly journal Chalar Pathe, which Bose—then serving as President of the Indian National Congress—endorsed as a continuation of the ideological framework previously promoted through Benu Patrika. In a public address delivered on 30 January 1939, Bose, identifying himself as a former member of the Bengal Volunteers, urged the public to support the journal and engage with its message of socio-political and cultural transformation. The publication, however, was banned by the colonial government within three months of its launch.[139][140]

Subhas Chandra Bose in 1939.

Subhas Chandra Bose's growing dissatisfaction with Gandhian non-violence culminated in his departure from the Indian National Congress and the establishment of the Forward Bloc in 1939. Cadres of the Bengal Volunteers played a significant role in organizing and sustaining the new political formation. In response, the colonial administration launched a crackdown, arresting 25 BV members across Bengal within a year. During this period, the Communist Party of India, which had aligned with British wartime policies following the outbreak of the Second World War, was reported to have cooperated with colonial authorities in curbing BV activities.[141]

Despite heightened surveillance, the Bengal Volunteers continued their underground activities. In 1941, following Subhas Chandra Bose's clandestine departure from India, senior members Satya Ranjan Bakshi, Jyotish Guha, and Shantimoy Ganguly reportedly established contact with him in Afghanistan to discuss a revised anti-colonial strategy. The organization subsequently aimed to pursue its objectives through both domestic resistance and international collaboration.[142][143]

The Bengal Volunteers played a notable role during the Quit India Movement of 1942, with members such as Hrishikesh Saha losing their lives in the course of resistance. The ideological influence of Subhas Chandra Bose, who combined elements of revolutionary militancy with mass-based democratic mobilization, continued to inspire many activists. This included several women revolutionaries who had been integral to the BV's operations since its formative years.[144]

Martyr Hrishikesh Saha

In the subsequent years, several members of the Bengal Volunteers, including Ajit Roy, Nitai Bose, and Haripada Bhowmick, joined Subhas Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Government. Anil Das is reported to have remained in contact with Bose until 16 August 1945. Following 1946, many former BV and Sri Sangha members who were released from detention became active in the Forward Bloc. However, internal ideological differences and reported Communist infiltration eventually led to a split within the party, with Bose's loyalists forming a separate faction.[152][145]

Legacy and decline of the Bengal Volunteers

The Bengal Volunteers was a clandestine revolutionary organization that gained prominence between 1930 and 1934, following its preparatory phase initiated in 1928. Operating with a high degree of secrecy, the group remained largely unidentified by British intelligence, which often characterized its actions as isolated incidents carried out by loosely affiliated individuals. In contrast to organizations such as the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), the Bengal Volunteers did not center its activities around a single charismatic leader. Rather, it operated through a network of coordinated cells, emphasizing collective action and regional organization across Bengal.

From left: Webley Revolver & American M1911 pistol such were used by Bengal revolutionaries.

Despite high-profile incidents—such as the assassination attempt on I.G. Lowman by Benoy Basu and the attack on the Writers' Building—British authorities remained largely unaware of the internal structure and true identity of the Bengal Volunteers. Colonial intelligence agencies primarily documented peripheral organizations like Sri Sangha and Dipali Sangha, while the core network of the BV remained concealed, even from embedded informants and police spies.

Members of the Bengal Volunteers underwent rigorous training in secrecy and discipline. Even when captured and subjected to interrogation or torture, they reportedly refrained from disclosing information that could endanger associates or reveal the organization's operations.

While the BV achieved a notable impact through a series of targeted assassinations and acts of armed resistance, its organizational lifespan was comparatively short. A combination of increasing state repression, shifts in political strategy within the Indian independence movement, and an unfavourable socio-political climate contributed to its gradual decline.[146][147]

Reasons for the decline of the Bengal Volunteers

The decline of the Bengal Volunteers in the mid-1930s can be attributed to a combination of internal and external factors, including heightened colonial repression, shifting political currents within the Indian independence movement, and growing ideological divisions within the nationalist ranks.

Here are some of the key factors that led to the decline of the Bengal Volunteers.

  • Lack of Organizational Structure: While the movement had a central leadership based in Kolkata, its district-level branches often lacked strong oversight and systematic coordination, resulting in operational inefficiency and gradual disintegration.
  • Limited Social Base: The group primarily consisted of educated, upper-caste, middle-class Hindu youth and was unable to effectively mobilize peasants, lower castes, or working-class communities, which limited its broader appeal and mass support.
  • Religious Symbolism and Communal Alienation: Although secular in ideology, the Volunteers employed Hindu imagery and slogans such as the Gita, Vande Mataram, and Bharat Mata, which unintentionally alienated sections of the Muslim population. Political adversaries further exploited this for communal polarization.
  • British Repression and Surveillance: From 1932 onward, the colonial government under Governor John Anderson introduced harsh laws like the Bengal Suppression of Terrorist Outrages Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Ordinance, enabling widespread arrests, surveillance, and suppression of revolutionary activity.
  • Overshadowing by Gandhi's Mass Movement: The Volunteers' methods of armed resistance were increasingly eclipsed by the rising popularity of Gandhi's non-violent mass mobilization campaigns, which gained greater public acceptance and media attention.
  • Limited Continued Involvement from Subhas Chandra Bose: Although Bose was instrumental in shaping the organization's early development, his increasing involvement with the Indian National Congress reduced his direct engagement with the Volunteers in later years.[148][149]

Ideologically, the emergence of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent mass movement and Subhas Chandra Bose's increasing engagement with the Indian National Congress led to a shift in focus away from the armed revolutionary approach. As national attention and media coverage gravitated towards civil disobedience and non-cooperation campaigns, the contributions and sacrifices of the Bengal Volunteers received comparatively less public visibility. Although Bose had played a formative role in the group's development, his limited involvement in its later phases left the leadership to younger, less experienced members, who continued to operate under increasingly challenging circumstances.[150][151]

Although its period of activity was relatively brief, the Bengal Volunteers left a significant legacy in the history of India's independence movement. Their acts of sacrifice and armed resistance contributed to weakening the perceived authority of British rule in Bengal during a crucial phase of the struggle. While the original organization ceased its operations by the mid-1930s, a contemporary group using the same name exists today. This present-day Bengal Volunteers is not directly affiliated with the historical revolutionary organization but seeks to honor its memory through initiatives such as social welfare activities, educational outreach, quiz and art competitions, and public engagement on India's national history.[152][153]

The history of the Bengal Volunteers remains an important chapter in India's struggle for independence, characterized by organized militancy, discipline, and a strong commitment to the nationalist cause.[154]

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    "শহিদ হওয়ার আগেই ইংরেজ জেলাশাসককে হত্যা, রক্তাক্ত মেদিনীপুরের ফুটবল মাঠ - Prohor".

  101. ↑

    "গুলি করে পালিয়ে যাননি, অনাথবন্ধু চড়ে বসেছিলেন ইংরেজ অফিসারের বুকে". 21 August 2020.

  102. ↑

    "Plot to Kill Mr. Burge". The Straits Times. 17 January 1934. p. 16.

  103. ↑

    "Burge Murder Case Suspects". The Straits Times. 22 November 1933. p. 16.

  104. ↑

    "The Burge Murder Case". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 16 January 1934. p. 14.

  105. ↑

    "Sentenced to Death". The Straits Times. 12 February 1934. p. 18.

  106. ↑

    "Burge Murder Trial". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 12 February 1934. p. 10.

  107. ↑

    "Midnapore 1931-33: When the pursuit of 'freedom' claimed the blood of three British DMS".

  108. ↑

    "Colonelgola Kali Mandir, Midnapore was frequented by freedom fighters - GetBengal story".

  109. ↑

    "Emperor vs Motilal Mallik on 1 October, 1934". indiankanoon.org.

  110. ↑

    "Regent Computronics PVT. LTD".

  111. ↑

    "Rabindra Bannerji for England". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 25 June 1937. p. 2.

  112. ↑

    "Death Sentence for 3 Indians". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 29 September 1934. p. 3.

  113. ↑

    "Remembering our leaders". 1989.

  114. ↑

    "Arabinda-prasanga". 1923.

  115. ↑

    Dasgupta, Sri Hemendranath (1946). Bharater Biplab Kahini Vol. 1.

  116. ↑

    "The Bengal Suppression Of Terrorist Outrages Act, 1932". indiankanoon.org. Archived from the original on 28 June 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.

  117. ↑

    "Terrorist Act". The Straits Times. 26 November 1935. p. 8.

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    "Suppression of Terrorism". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 24 August 1932. p. 3.

  119. ↑

    "Crime in India". The Straits Budget. 27 March 1925. p. 18.

  120. ↑

    "The Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1930".

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    "Precautions in Bengal". The Straits Times. 13 December 1932. p. 14.

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    "Move Against Terrorism". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 7 February 1934. p. 14.

  124. ↑

    "War Declared on Terrorists". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 9 December 1931. p. 12.

  125. ↑

    "To Curb Bengal Terrorists". The Straits Times. 1 December 1931. p. 12.

  126. ↑

    "Bengal Terrorists". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 16 September 1926. p. 14.

  127. ↑

    "Bengal Volunteers Dinesh Gupta Irish Samajtantrabad || Sayantan Dasgupta || বেঙ্গল ভলান্টিয়ার্স দীনেশ গুপ্ত আইরিশ সমাজতন্ত্রবাদ || সায়ন্তন দাশগুপ্ত - BoiChitro.In". Retrieved 14 July 2025.

  128. ↑

    Sanjana Guha (23 January 2025). "Bengal Volunteers By Subhash Chandra Bose". Medium. Retrieved 11 July 2025.

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    सिंह, अजीत कुमार (11 August 2020). "#UnsungFreedomfighter : The Bengal Trio". Rashtriya Chhatra Shakti. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

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    "বেঙ্গল ভলেন্টিয়ার্স দল | Bengal Volunteers - Gksolve 2025". 16 September 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

  131. ↑

    "প্রশ্নপত্রে 'সন্ত্রাসবাদী' বিপ্লবীরা! হেমচন্দ্রদের প্রকৃত ইতিহাস আজও গর্বিত করে". sangbadpratidin. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

  132. ↑

    Roy, Aishi (4 October 2019). "Pradyot Kumar Bhattacharya, The Hero Who Gave His Life For India". The Better India. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

  133. ↑

    Som, Moyurie (11 July 2025). "Bengali revolutionaries as terrorists - question in WB Vidyasagar University exam sparks outrage". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

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    "Bengal Volunteers || Madhumanti Sengupta - BoiChitro.In". Retrieved 14 July 2025.

  135. ↑

    SNS (11 July 2025). "VC of the varsity apologises". The Statesman. Retrieved 14 July 2025.

  136. ↑

    "বেঙ্গল ভলান্টিয়ার্স".

  137. ↑

    Ganguly, Oyeshi; Dasgupta, Shriya (January 2023). "Of Memory and Forgetting: The Role of Oral History and Popular Culture in Conserving the Legacy of Bengali Revolutionaries". Unearthings: Past in Present and Future.

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    "Bengal Volunteers - Boideshik | Online Book Store". 27 February 2021.

  139. ↑

    "Dwitiyo Biplab". 1935.

  140. ↑

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  141. ↑

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  142. ↑

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  143. ↑

    "Pharasi Biplab". 1955.

  144. ↑

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  146. ↑

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  147. ↑

    "Bigyane Biplab". 1961.

  148. ↑

    "Revealing Facts about India's Freedom Struggle by Rajnikant Puranik". 2017.

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  150. ↑

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  151. ↑

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