Indian National Army (INA) / Azad Hind Fauj: The Indian National Army played a unique role in India’s fight for independence, and its activities served to galvanize the spirit of freedom among the Indian populace. While the INA did not achieve its military objectives, it left an indelible mark on India’s path to independence

Indian National Army (INA) / Azad Hind Fauj

The Indian National Army (INA), also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, was a military force formed during World War II with the goal of liberating India from British colonial rule. The INA was established by Indian nationalist leader Subhas Chandra Bose and played a significant role in the struggle for India’s independence. Here are the key points about the Indian National Army:

Formation of the INA:

• The INA was founded by Subhas Chandra Bose in 1942 in Southeast Asia, with the support of the Axis powers, primarily Imperial Japan.
• Bose had escaped house arrest in India and made his way to Germany and later to Japan, where he sought assistance to form a military force to fight against British colonial rule.

Structure and Leadership:

• The INA was composed primarily of Indian prisoners of war captured by the Japanese during their conquest of Southeast Asia. These Indian soldiers were given the choice to join the INA or remain in captivity.
• Bose was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the INA, with the rank of a General.

Campaigns and Operations:

• The INA participated in several military campaigns in Burma (now Myanmar) and along the India-Burma border. They aimed to march into India and instigate a popular uprising against the British.
• The most significant campaign was the INA’s participation in the Japanese offensive against British-controlled areas in Manipur and the Kohima-Imphal region in 1944. However, they faced stiff resistance from British and Indian forces.

Slogan and Ideology:

• The INA’s motto was “Jai Hind” (Hail India), which has since become a popular slogan in India’s independence struggle.
• Bose’s vision for the INA was based on principles of secularism, democracy, and social justice, which he believed would be the foundation of post-independence India.

Dissolution and Impact:

• The defeat of the Axis powers in World War II and the subsequent surrender of Japan led to the dissolution of the INA. Many INA soldiers were taken as prisoners of war.
• The INA’s impact on the Indian independence movement was significant. It demonstrated the commitment of Indian soldiers to the cause of independence and increased pressure on the British government to address Indian demands.
• The Red Fort Trials in Delhi in 1945, where INA officers were tried for treason, became a turning point. The trials and the public sentiment they generated contributed to the hastening of the process of Indian independence.

Legacy:

• The INA and Subhas Chandra Bose are remembered as symbols of the struggle for India’s independence. Their contributions to the freedom movement are commemorated in India’s history.
• The “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Museum” in New Delhi and the “INA War Memorial” in Moirang, Manipur, pay homage to the INA’s legacy.

Download Indian National Army (INA) / Azad Hind Fauj Notes PDF in Hindi

Download Indian National Army (INA) / Azad Hind Fauj Notes PDF in English

Follow on Facebook

By Team Learning Mantras