Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon
From Jatland Wiki
Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon (18 March 1914 - 6 February 2006) or popularly known as Col. G.S. Dhillon was one of the three accused of the famous Indian National Army trial that began on 5 November 1945 at Red Fort and was charged with “waging war against His Majesty the King Emperor…” The trial marked a significant turning point in India’s struggle for Independence and Col. Dhillon along with his two colleagues Col. P.K. Sahgal and Maj. Gen. Shah Nawaz Khan became the symbols of Indians fighting for freedom.
“LAL QUILE SE AYI AWAZ
SAHGAL, DHILLON, SHAH NAWAZ”
(meaning "From the Red Fort, we heard the voice of Sahgal, Dhillon and Shah Nawaz"), was the slogan that stirred the entire nation, particularly the youth who marched through the streets of the country in 1945.
Col. G.S.Dhillon was born at Algon on March 18, 1914. He attended the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun and was granted regular commission in the Indian Land Forces of the British w.e.f. April 1940. After the British surrender of Singapore on 15 February 1942 to the Japanese, he joined I.N.A. founded by Gen. Mohan Singh.
Towards end of 1944, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave him the command of 4th Guerrilla Regiment also called the Nehru Brigade. His Regiment distinguished itself in the battlefield.
Col. G.S. Dhillon is one of famous Jat people who have put their life and family at risk for the pride of Indian nationality. He is the only survivor of the Historic trial on 5 November 1945 at Red Fort. He was living at village Hatod in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh during his last days of life. He died on 6-2-2006
Col. G.S.Dhillon was awarded Padma Bhushan by Mr. K.R. Narayanan, President of India on 12 April 1998. Col. G.S. Dhillon has written a book From My Bones in which he has recorded experiences that contributed so significantly to India’s Independence.
Reference
"FROM MY BONES" memoirs of Col. Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon (1998): ARYAN BOOKS INTERNATIONAL, Pooja Aptts, 4B, Ansari Road, New Delhi-110002. FAX-91-11-3270385. ISBN 81-7305-148-8
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