THE ROYAL INDIAN NAVY (RIN) MUTINY

NEWS: 80th anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny commemorates a major anti-colonial uprising, one of the last significant revolts against British rule before India’s independence.

ABOUT

• Revolt by Indian sailors of the Royal Indian Navy on February 18, 1946, against British rule
• Sailors (ratings) of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN)à revolted due to poor treatment, lack of compensation, and racial discrimination.
• Prominent leadersà C. Dutt, M. S. Khan, Madan Singh, Salil Shyam, and Rishi Dev Puri.

Causes

• Ratings were deployed in World Wars and other British campaigns without special compensation.
• Inadequate training, overcrowded establishments, shortage of staff, ill-treatment,
• Racial discrimination
• Influence of the Quit India Movement and the Indian National Army inspired action

Course of the Mutiny

• HMIS Talwar (Bombay): Started with a hunger strike over poor food quality on February 18, 1946.
• Spread to 78 ships and 20 shore establishments across Bombay, Karachi, Madras, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, and the Andamans.
• The Bombay Uprising of 1946àMass protests and street battles that erupted in Bombay (now Mumbai), in support of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) revolt against British rule.
• Armed Confrontation: British troops opened fire in Bombay.
• Political leaders, including Congress and Muslim League leadership, urged restraint.
• Naval ratings surrendered on February 23, 1946.
• Leaders were arrested, and the uprising was militarily suppressed.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Revolt deeply shook British confidence in maintaining control over India
• Extended beyond naval ratings, drawing workers, students, and civilians into coordinated street resistance against colonial authority.
• Witnessed rare solidarity across religious lines, with joint protests and shared nationalist symbols.