All About Subhas Chandra Bose and INA

Introduction

Subhas Chandra Bose was a prominent leader in India’s fight for independence from British rule during the early to mid-20th century. Dissatisfied with the nonviolent approach of the Indian National Congress, Bose sought more direct methods to achieve freedom for his country. In 1942, during World War II, he established the Indian National Army (INA), also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, with the help of the Axis powers, particularly Japan. 

Subhas Chandra Bose: A Revolutionary Leader’s Journey

• Subhas Chandra Bose, known for his militant stance, reacted strongly to European insults against Indians.
• Initially secured the fourth position in the Indian Civil Services examination but resigned in 1921 to join the freedom struggle. He served as the mayor of Calcutta in 1923. His political guru was Chittaranjan Das.
• He faced multiple imprisonments by the British for his activism.
• Unable to align with Gandhi’s methods, Bose, realizing Congress’s commitment to Gandhi’s path, decided to pursue independence on his own terms.
• Anti-Compromise Conference (March 1940)
  • Origin: Bose convened an Anti-Compromise Conference at Ramgarh in March 1940. It was a joint effort by the Forward Bloc and the Kisan Sabha.
  • Global Resistance: It was resolved to launch a worldwide struggle on April 6, 1940, coinciding with the National Week, against imperialist war, urging people not to support the Imperialist War with resources.
• Arrest and House Arrest: He was arrested in July 1940 for protesting against a proposed monument for Holwell in Calcutta. 
  • He was released from prison but placed under house arrest in December 1940 after a hunger strike.
• Escape and Exile: It was reported that Bose had escaped in January 1941, reaching Peshawar on January 26, 1941, under the pseudonym Ziauddin with help from Bhagat Ram. 
  • He left India with the intent to supplement the ongoing struggle and explored options for external support.
• Bose’s Alliance with Germany: He initially sought assistance from Russia for India’s freedom, but Russia’s alignment with the Allies in June 1941 led to Bose’s disappointment. Subsequently, he moved to Germany.
  • Freedom Army: There, he met Hitler using the pseudonym Orlando Mazzotta and formed the ‘Freedom Army’ (Mukti Sena) with Indian prisoners of war captured by Germany and Italy. 
  • Dresden, Germany, became the headquarters of the Freedom Army.
  • Bose came to be called ‘Netaji’ by the people of Germany. He gave the famous slogan, ‘Jai Hind’ from the Free India Centre, Germany.
• Berlin Radio Broadcasts
• • Started regular broadcasts from Berlin radio in January 1942.
  • In early 1943, he left Germany. 
  • He traveled via German and Japanese submarines, to reach Japan and then Singapore by July 1943. 
• He was to take command of the Indian independence movement from Rashbehari Bose, marking the second phase of the Indian National Army.

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Indian National Army (INA)

• Emergence of the Indian National Army: Mohan Singh, with the support of the Japanese, formed the Indian National Army (INA) by recruiting Indian prisoners of war (POWs).
  • This initiative was further fueled by the Quit India movement, leading to a substantial force of 40,000 men ready to join the INA.
  • The INA consisted primarily of Indian soldiers who were prisoners of war captured by the Japanese in Southeast Asia. 
• INA’s Conditional Action: The action of INA was contingent upon receiving an invitation from the Indian National Congress and the people of India.
• Motivations Behind the INA: The creation of this army has been widely viewed as a response to potential Japanese misconduct against Indians in South-East Asia and as a protective measure against any prospective Japanese occupation of India.
• The first division of the INA was formed with 16,300 men in September 1942.

• INA Leadership Transition
  • INA’s Affiliation: A conference in Bangkok, held under Japanese occupation, decided to place the INA under the Indian Independence League, chaired by Rashbehari Bose. He founded the League in Tokyo in 1942.
  • The Japanese sought Subhas Bose to lead the INA.
  • Transfer of Leadership: In July 1943, Subhas Bose met Rashbehari Bose in Singapore, who willingly transferred control of the Indian Independence League and the INA to him.
  • Formation of the Provisional Government: Subhas Bose became the Supreme Commander of the INA on August 25. On October 21, 1943, Subhas Bose formed the Provisional Government for Free India in Singapore with H.C. Chatterjee (Finance portfolio), M.A. Aiyar (Broadcasting), and Lakshmi Swaminathan (Women Department).
    • The famous slogan, “Give me blood, I will give you freedom,” was coined in Malaya.
    • The provisional government declared war on Britain and the United States and was recognised by the Axis powers. 
    • A women’s regiment, named Rani Jhansi Regiment, was formed.

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• INA Operations and Challenges
• • INA’s Strategic Shift: The INA headquarters moved to Rangoon (Burma) in January 1944, and the army recruits were to march with the war cry “Chalo Delhi!”.
  • On November 6, 1943, the Japanese army handed over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the INA.
  • Bose’s Tribute to Gandhi: On July 6, 1944, Bose addressed Gandhi as the ‘Father of the Nation’ from the Azad Hind Radio, marking the first use of this term. 
    • He sought Gandhi’s blessings for “India’s last war of independence.”
  • INA’s Struggles and Disillusionment: During the Imphal campaign, an INA battalion, led by Shah Nawaz, joined the Japanese Army in the Indo-Burma front. 
    • INA units faced discrimination from the Japanese, including denial of rations and arms. 
    • They were forced to do menial work for Japanese units, leading to demoralization and disgust among the INA.

• INA on Indian Soil and Subsequent Events
• • The Azad Hind Fauz entered Indian soil on March 18, 1944, after crossing the Burma border.
  • Moirang Triumph: On April 14, 1944, Colonel Malik raised the INA flag at Moirang, Manipur. 
    • This marked the first hoisting of the INA flag on the Indian mainland, greeted with cries of “Jai Hind” and “Netaji Zindabad.”
    • INA carried out military administration duties at Moirang for three months. Allied forces reclaimed the territory, leading to the withdrawal of INA brigades on July 18, 1944.
  • Japanese Retreat: INA’s hopes of liberating the nation were quashed with the Japanese retreat, which continued until mid-1945.
    • On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered in the Second World War. With this, INA also surrendered.
  • End of an Era: On August 18, 1945, Subhas Bose reportedly died in a mysterious air crash in Taipei, Taiwan. INA POWs were brought back to India after the war for court-martial.

Conclusion

• Led by Bose, the INA aimed to liberate India from British colonial rule through military means. 
• Although the INA faced various challenges and setbacks, it became a symbol of resistance and inspired nationalist fervor among Indians. 
• Bose’s leadership and the INA’s efforts played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence, contributing to the eventual end of British rule in the country.