MAINS QUESTIONS
Q1. What role, in your opinion, did the Indian National Army play in the abolition of British control in India? Also emphasise on Subhash Chandra Bose’s contribution in this regard. (250 words)
Paper & Topic: GS I – National Movement
Introduction:
- With the aid of the Imperial Japanese Army, Indian Nationalists founded the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) in 1942 to defend India’s independence. The first INA was established by Mohan Singh and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and consisted of Indian POWs from the British-Indian Army who had been captured by Japan during the Malayan (current Malaysia) campaign and in Singapore.
Body:
What function did INA serve?
- In 1943, Bose lost hope that Germany would contribute to the freedom of India. He subsequently switched his attention to Asia and became command of the Indian National Army (INA).
- Bose formed the INA’s Azad Hind administration, which with the aid of Indians living abroad went on to develop its own currency, postal stamps, court system, and civil code. The Axis countries were aware of it.
- Bose is respected in India despite the fact that the West mostly despises him for his collaboration with the Axis countries during World War II.
- Bose, with the assistance of the Japanese, commanded the soldiers of the Indian National Army in combat against the British for the final two years of the war.
- Of the 60,000 prisoners of war kept in Japanese camps, the Indian business community in South East Asia assisted the I.N.A. in collecting about 20,000 of them through labour and financial support.
- The INA established the modern women’s detachment known as The Rani of Jhansi. The INA was primarily a non-communal organisation, with Muslims making up the majority of both its leaders and members.
- Between March and June 1944, the INA fought on Indian soil, besieging Imphal with Japanese forces in an operation that was a total disaster.
- After Japan was overthrown in 1945, the INA members were put back behind bars, but Bose mysteriously disappeared and was allegedly killed in an air crash that some people still think was staged.
- Large-scale demonstrations were held in opposition to a British plan to tax INA members in November 1945.
- The potential link between the INA experience and the wave of unrest in the British Indian army that occurred in the winter of 1945–46 and culminated in the great Bombay naval strike in February 1946 was even more significant, and this is probably what drove the British government to withdraw as quickly as it did.
The INA’s connection with Netaji Bose:
- The INA emphasised Subhash Bose’s abilities as a military leader and strategist. One of the INA Brigades advanced closer to the border between India and the Japanese army. The Indian flag was erected in Kohima in March 1944.
- The INA, however, disintegrated as the fighting grew and the Japanese force left after being routed. The INA’s actions had a big impact on India’s political climate.
- After the battle, a wave of revolutionary movement overtook the nation as Indians realised how courageous and selfless they had been.
- Indians had a sense of patriotism that went beyond fealty to a foreign country, according to the British authorities.
- Subhash Chandra Bose had a ruthless worldview that captivated the Indian people to an unparalleled degree with his lofty objective of achieving India’s independence and his idealistic INA organisation.
Conclusion:
- The INA suffered significant casualties in both people and equipment during this withdrawal. Numerous regiments were disbanded by the ineffective Japanese Army, or their personnel were amalgamated to form new divisions. After the Japanese were defeated in World War 2, the British captured the majority of the INA soldiers. Subash Chandra Bose managed to flee from captivity, although it’s thought he passed away in a plane crash in Taiwan in September 1945.
Q2. Discuss Subhas Chandra Bose’s involvement with the struggle for Indian freedom. What lessons does his legacy still have for us today? (250 words)
Paper & Topic: GS I – National Movement
Introduction:
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, an Indian nationalist, was revered in his own country for his ardent patriotism. Bose defined freedom as the absence of political self-rule, social inequality, casteism, and other forms of intolerance. Bose was a staunch advocate for a secular political system and an industrialised society that permeates all facets of daily life.
Body:
- A 28-foot Subhas Chandra Bose statue was most recently ordered to be erected near India Gate by the prime minister. The Grand Canopy of the monument encircles the statue, which was unveiled near to the Kartavya Path, formerly known as Rajpath.
Contribution of the Indian National Movement:
Indian National Army:
- The organisation, popularly known as “Azad Hind Fauj,” was started by Rash Behari Bose in 1942. 1943 saw its resurrection.
- The British eventually left India as a result of several significant occasions, most notably the INA invasion.
- He emphasised prudent financial management and set an example for others.
female parity
- Since women and men are treated equally, according to Bose, they should be willing to fight for India’s freedom and put up with sufferings.
- In India, he oversaw a drive in the 1920s and 1930s to encourage women to participate more actively in the nation’s struggle for independence.
- The Azad Hind Fauj created a women’s unit under the direction of Captain Lakshmi. Rani Jhansi was the name of the regiment.
Successful Leadership:
- Bravery and Indian nationalism came to be associated with the Azad Hind Fauj. Bose’s indignant remarks inspired the soldiers.
- He is credited with saying, “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.”
Extensive mobilisation
- A proponent of both individualism and group mobilisation, Subhash Chandra Bose
- When he realised that the population was the country’s most valuable resource, he made a commitment that every Indian would actively participate in the fight for liberty.
- He set up the Azad Hind regional administration while strongly encouraging whole Indian populace mobilisation.
youth leadership
- Bose invested a lot of time and energy on the youth movement. Bose believed that youth was by nature idealistic, restless, and open to new ideas. He worked with and made contributions to the brand-new Youth Leagues that were established all over the country in the 1920s.
- He served as an inspiration for young people to embrace Indian independence.
- According to Bose, only the sacrifices and efforts of the younger, more responsible generation could result in India’s freedom.
- His legacy now serves as a reminder of him throughout India.
- He was completely noncommunal and secular. He gave many Muslims key positions in the Indian National Army (INA).
A requirement for a peaceful India:
- Even though there were clear political differences between Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi, he had the deepest regard for both of them.
- He used the names of two of the four INA battalions, Gandhi and Nehru, and he was the first radio host to refer to Gandhi as the Father of the Nation.
- Indian politicians today can use and benefit from this lesson.
- His aspirations for the future of equality in Indian society after independence attracted him to Marxism.
- He also backed gender equality, which is crucial for empowering women, who account for nearly 50% of the population.
- He was attracted to the military’s strict rules since Indian children today sorely need them.
Conclusion:
- A significant contribution to the struggle for Indian independence was made by Subhash Chandra Bose. He was not just a good leader, but he also significantly aided the fight for freedom. For his fervent and enthusiastic engagement in the struggle for Indian freedom, he has garnered a great lot of appreciation. Along with being appealing, his leadership style encouraged people to support the cause of the Indian freedom struggle.
