Remembering the Indian Soldiers of World War II: 7 Must-Read Books

If you want to uncover the lesser-known stories of Indians in WWII, this book is a must-read. It chronicles the experiences of INA soldiers amid the tumult of Singapore in 1942, their harrowing struggles with starvation and disease in Burma, and the challenges they faced back home in post-war India.

You’ll read about Captain Mohan Singh and his 14th Punjab Regiment, Lieutenant MM Pillai, and Warrant Officer John Baptist Crasta—one of 17,000 Indian POWs sent to brutal labour camps across the Pacific. Packed with personal accounts, The Forgotten Indian Prisoners of World War II is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the lives of soldiers whose courage and sacrifices were often forgotten.

Did you know that 2.5 million Indian people volunteered in WWII? And yet we don’t hear much about them or the experiences they had. Yasmin Khan changes that. Using interviews and previously unseen archival material, The Raj at War brings to life the experiences of soldiers, sailors, nurses, cooks, and all those whose lives were upended by a war half a world away.

This book restores South Asia’s perspective to the global conflict, showing how India—and all its people—formed both the heart and the limbs of Britain’s war effort and eventual victory.

If you want to truly feel the impact of WWII on India—war-induced famines, soldiers risking everything across continents, and the lives disrupted at home—this book is for you.

India in the Second World War: An Emotional History by Diya Gupta draws on photographs, letters, memoirs, novels, poetry, and philosophical essays in both English and Bengali to create a vivid tapestry of emotions experienced by Indians during the war. This book shifts the perspective from the usual global narratives, offering a deeply human and emotional view of India during WWII.

Also read: Indian Air Force Through the Decades: Evolution of India’s Air Power

India’s role in World War II often remains hidden—and it was the same for Raghu Karnad. While standing in his grandmother’s house, he noticed a photograph of three young men he had never paid attention to—men who had all fought in WWII. That moment sparked his quest to uncover their stories.

In riveting prose, Farthest Field narrates the story of these three young men, weaving a tale of love, rebellion, loyalty, and uncertainty. Through their experiences, he brings to light the larger story of India’s involvement in the Second World War, offering both an intimate and sweeping view of a history too often overlooked.

Pankaj P Singh’s Unfolded explores India’s air defence across decades, including its pivotal role during World War II. You get a chapter of the Indian Air Force in action — from its early days, including the formation of the 1st Indian HAA Regiment, to its contributions and adaptations during the Burma Campaign.

The book offers a fascinating insight into India’s aerial defence efforts during WWII, highlighting the courage, strategy, and innovation of the men and units involved.

Tarak Barkawi’s Soldiers of Empire isn’t your usual war story. It dives deep into the 2.5-million-strong Indian Army, asking the big question: how did such a diverse, multi-ethnic force come together, and what really motivated them to fight for an empire that many were resisting?

The answer isn’t simple loyalty or nationalism—it’s shared experiences, tough training, and the brutal realities of combat, especially in the unforgiving jungles of Burma. Barkawi shows how this army was more than just soldiers—it was a resilient, unique social structure whose efforts were critical to the Allied victory.

The Forgotten Few brings to life the untold stories of the Indian aviators who helped lay the foundations of today’s Indian Air Force. Through first-hand interviews with some of the last surviving Indian survivors of WWII, this book offers a rare glimpse into a chapter of history often omitted from mainstream narratives.

Balancing personal stories with historical detail, it spotlights the courage, grit, and determination of Indian airmen who took to the skies in one of the world’s most defining conflicts. A must-read for anyone curious about India’s airborne legacy during WWII.

War is never easy—but it is unimaginably harder for those whose sacrifices are forgotten. Millions of Indian soldiers and civilians gave everything, far from home, their stories buried in the shadows of history.

These books bring their voices back, filled with real experiences, courage, and the price they paid during those turbulent years. Relive their struggles, honour their bravery, and keep alive the legacy of the men and women who shaped India’s chapter in World War II.

Your next read: Commanders Through the Ages: 7 Books That Reveal the Minds of the World’s Greatest Generals