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Illustration by The Geostrata
Subhas Chandra Bose, affectionately known as ‘Netaji,’ played an important role in triggering the British evacuation from India. On one hand, we can see Gandhi’s political standing and nonviolent strategy, whereas, on the other hand, Netaji had other plans. According to him, Britishers could ‘Quit India’ through direct confrontation, even if it meant seeking help from foreign alliances.
Bose met Gandhi and joined Indian National Congress in 1921, after returning to India. Bose’s charismatic personality and intellectual thoroughness made him climb ranks within the Congress. By following Nehru’s footsteps, he joined a faction within the Congress which inclined towards socialist ideals.
Bose became an influential figure in the province of Bengal, his early life included founding ‘Swaraj’ newspaper in the province of Allahabad, which focused on challenging the British government while also promoting a sense of nationalism amongst the readers, and promoting the Bengal Provincial Congress Committee.
He was elected as the President of the All India Youth Congress in 1923, along with being the Secretary of the Bengal State Congress. Furthermore, he was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1938, advocating for ‘Purna Swaraj’ or ‘Complete Independence’ from British rule.
This ‘Purna Swaraj’ often clashed with Gandhi’s non violent approach. Since his ideas leaned towards socialism, it led to him founding the Forward Bloc in 1939 within the Congress which worked as uniting all the radical elements within the Congress and working towards complete independence.
One of the most strategic moves taken by Bose for India’ struggle for independence was in 1941, when he was under house arrest, he escaped from the British house and went on to an international mission, gathering support from foreign alliances. This move signifies a beginning towards India’ path to freedom.
He travelled to Afghanistan, and from there to Germany, all this was possible due to his diplomatic connections abroad along with a network of like-minded people. Bose’s agenda was clear – forming diplomatic connections with nations to achieve Purna Swaraj from the British. According to Bose, an alliance with the Axis powers, Germany, and later, Japan, would help in his agenda of triggering British evacuation from India.
He even had diplomatic discussions with the Nazi Government, securing some kind of support from them. Composed of Indian prisoners of war, Bose formed a composition of the Indian National Army, which was determined to achieve freedom by ‘all means necessary’.
To encourage more Indians to join, he founded the ‘Azad Hind Radio’ in 1942 in Berlin. Through this broadcast, he advocated for all Indians to join the movement and support the cause, demanding complete independence from British rule. The Azad Hind Radio became a powerful tool for him, which amplified his views across borders.
ARMY BORN IN EXILE: FORMATION OF INA
To gain independence from British rule, an army was born in exile, the INA, Shri Rash Behari Bose established the Indian National Army in the Far East, composed of Indian prisoners of war. Later, the army was under the leadership of Captain Mohan Singh, but was disbanded due to disagreements with Japan.
Bose revived INA in 1943, and called it the Azad Hind Fauj, to envision a revolution in India through invoking a sense of shared responsibility amongst Indians. One of the notable events was the inauguration of the Jhansi Regiment by Bose, which was a female infantry fighting unit under the leadership of Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan.
The Azad Hind Fauj comprised 45,000 soldiers. Bose’s INA launched multiple military campaigns to fight for India’s freedom. One of INA’s most significant campaigns were done in 1944, battles at Imphal, Kohima, and later Mount Popa, with an aim of triggering British evacuation from India and to cause an uprising in the nation.
Another key milestone in Netaji’s INA was the temporary liberation from the British in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, this liberation acted as a symbol of pride and reignited a sense of hope amongst Indians that the British could be defeated on their soil.
The success was short-lived, as the Allies emerged victorious in WWII, and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, INA faced troubles. Due to the devastating impact of the defeat, INA couldn’t move ahead with its campaigns and had to retreat.
Even in defeat, Netaji’s INA played a significant role, and brought a revolution amongst Indians, the courage and vision set by Bose still emerged victorious. It shook the British confidence in India and added momentum to trigger British evacuation from India and pave the path for freedom.
REVOLT WITHIN THE BRITISH INDIAN ARMY
Netaji induced a vision in the minds of Indians, a vision of a free India, the Azad Hind Fauj played a significant role in setting a goal for Indians, which sparked an internal revolution amongst Indians against the British.
One such example is the revolt within the British Indian Army, which marked a turning point in India’s struggle for independence. Known as the Red Fort Trials, in November 1945, the British government put three INA Officers under public trial, namely, Prem Kumar Sehgal, Shahnavaz Khan, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon. This was done by the British to showcase what happens to anyone who tries to rebel and raise their voice against them.
However, acting as a surprise for the British, this was backfired massively. Protests erupted, people from all walks of life joined these protests, slogans like ‘Hindustan ki Ek Awaz, Sehgal, Dhillon, Shahnawaz’ were chanted, and a huge political unrest shadowed the capital. There was a sense of unity amongst all the unrest, a sense of belonging, and a sense of fueling resentment.
Soldiers who earlier showed loyalty to the British army in the Royal Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force, were now sympathising with INA. This led to the the beginning of the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny in India, which is known as one of the largest military revolts in British India.
The sailors too protested against unacceptable working conditions, discriminations, and advocated for the same ideals that Netaji advocated for. Although, fearing another 1857 Revolt, the British government accelerated its plans for withdrawal. The Red Fort Trials and the military mutinies gave a huge psychological blow to the British government, which also hastened their evacuation from India.
British Prime Minister Clement Attlee acknowledged the widespread and most direct impact Netaji’s INA had on the British decision to leave India, compared to Gandhi's nonviolent approach. A significant shift has been noted: The British could no longer count on the loyalty of the Indian soldiers in the British army. The political fallout due to INA’s influence and internal mutinies marked an end to British rule in India.
LEGACY OF NETAJI AND INA
Netaji and his INA remain as one of the most significant chapters of India’s struggle for independence, symbolising relentless energy against British oppression. Bose’s charismatic leadership and the ability to influence people, intellectual expertise, dedication, and passion towards the nation accelerated the morale of INA and the whole country.
Netaji’s and the soldiers of the INA’s unwavering dedication, bravery, and resilience towards the nation has inspired the whole of Azad India. Bose’s legacy also highlights how there were so many different and diverse strategies for the freedom struggle, which were not only limited to the non violence approach by Gandhi. It can be analysed how Bose’s ideology leaned towards socialism and leftist authoritarianism.
It is important to know the different points of view through which this country achieved freedom. Netaji brought drastic and impactful changes in the mindset of people, gave the citizens of India a ray of hope, and showed them the way towards freedom in his own way. The sacrifice made by these soldiers continues to inspire the Indians and highlights how important it is to have courage in the face of oppression.
The INA’s campaigns, the Red Fort trials, and the Royal Indian Navy Mutiny struck a massive blow to British rule in India and Netaji’s INA stood as an example of armed resistance and played a major role in triggering the British evacuation.
BY NANDITA LATA
CENTRE FOR HISTORY AND CULTURE
TEAM GEOSTRATA
Insightful
Must-read, well analysed!
Story of courage and patriotism
Well written!
Important!