The Indian National Army and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose: Legacy, Campaigns, and Impact

The Indian National Army and Subhash Bose: Early Life and Political Involvement

Subhash Chandra Bose was known for his militant approach and strong reactions to any insult towards Indians by Europeans.
He passed the Indian Civil Services exam, securing the fourth position, but resigned in 1921 to join the freedom struggle.
His political mentor was Chittaranjan Das, and he became the mayor of Calcutta in 1923.
Disillusioned with Gandhi's methods, Bose decided to chart his own path for independence.

Anti-Compromise Conference and Initial Struggles

In March 1940, Bose organized the Anti-Compromise Conference at Ramgarh, promoting resistance against British exploitation of Indian resources.
He called for a worldwide struggle, and on April 6, 1940, the first day of the National Week, he urged the people to resist the Imperialist War efforts.
His resistance efforts led to his arrest in July 1940, and he was later placed under house arrest in December 1940 after a hunger strike.
Bose escaped in January 1941 and eventually reached Peshawar under the alias Ziauddin, later heading to Germany to seek support.

Bose's Journey to Germany and the Formation of the Freedom Army

In Germany, Bose met Hitler under the alias Orlando Mazzotta, and with Hitler's help, the 'Freedom Army' (Mukti Sena) was formed.
Dresden became the headquarters of the Freedom Army, consisting of Indian POWs captured by Germany and Italy.
Bose earned the title 'Netaji' from the German people and gave the famous slogan, 'Jai Hind' from the Free India Centre in Germany.
In 1943, Bose traveled to Japan and then Singapore, taking command of the Indian National Army (INA).

Origin and First Phase of the INA

The idea of forming an army from Indian POWs was originally Mohan Singh's, an Indian army officer who sought Japanese assistance after refusing to join the retreating British forces in Malaya.
The Japanese handed over Indian POWs to Mohan Singh, who recruited them into the INA, growing the force to 40,000 by the end of 1942.
The INA was intended to act only on the invitation of the Indian National Congress, serving as a check against Japanese misconduct towards Indians in Southeast Asia.
Serious differences emerged between Mohan Singh and the Japanese over the INA's role, leading to Mohan Singh's detention by the Japanese.

The Second Phase with Subhash Bose

Bose arrived in Tokyo in June 1943 and later traveled to Singapore to take command of the INA from Rashbehari Bose, a key figure in the Indian independence movement who had fled to Japan in 1915.
Rashbehari Bose had laid the groundwork for the INA by forming the Indian Independence League, which he handed over to Subhash Bose in July 1943.
Subhash Bose became the Supreme Commander of the INA on August 25, 1943, and later formed the Provisional Government of Free India on October 21, 1943, in Singapore.
Bose's famous slogan, "Give me blood, and I will give you freedom," was given in Malaya, and the INA marched with the war cry "Chalo Delhi!"

The INA's Campaign and Decline

The INA crossed the Burma border and advanced to Kohima and Imphal, with Colonel Malik hoisting the INA flag at Moirang in Manipur on April 14, 1944.
However, the INA faced discriminatory treatment from the Japanese, including denial of rations and arms, leading to demoralization among the troops.
The INA's campaign was eventually quashed as the Japanese retreated, culminating in the INA's surrender following Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945.
Subhash Bose reportedly died in an air crash on August 18, 1945, but the INA's legacy continued as a powerful movement emerged in defense of the INA POWs who were brought back to India to be court-martialed.

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