A new book tells the story of the Indian freedom movement through the lives of five key players

During this long incarceration, every aspect of the daily lives of the prisoners was under the microscope of the prison and provincial authorities. The reports they sent were closely scrutinised by the Government of India officials, and frequently shown to the viceroy. There was a weekly medical examination of each prisoner the report of which – apart from listing basic health parameters – would also contain a brief description of the individual’s state of mind and body. Instructions to the prison authorities about the entitlements of the prisoners had been precisely laid down including “special privileges” in view of their status. Thus, the number of bars of soap, toothbrushes, daily diet allowances, towels and so on were documented.

In terms of material well-being, the detainees were not physically deprived. As conditions in their prison in the fort stabilised so did their entitlements. The latter, when compared with conditions in a “normal” prison, was clearly based on the recognition that each of the prisoners was a person of standing and high political status. A sum of Rs 100 per month – not a small sum in those days – was allocated as expenditure for each prisoner towards the costs of their diet, toiletries,...

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