Indian National Army (INA) - Part 2 (Continuation)

 Okay, here are the notes based on the lecture about the Indian National Army (INA):

Topic: Indian National Army (INA) - Part 2 (Continuation)

Context:

• This lecture covers the 6th step among the "7 steps towards Independence" in Indian History.

• It follows Part 1 where Subhas Chandra Bose took leadership of the INA from Rash Behari Bose.

Bose Takes Command:

• Subhas Chandra Bose becomes the leader of the INA.

• His immediate task is to build and organize the army.

Formation of INA Brigades (దళాలు):

1. Nehru Brigade:

   • The first brigade formed.

   • Named after Jawaharlal Nehru, who was a friend of Bose.

   • Reference to 1928 INC Calcutta session: Bose and Nehru together formed the "Independence for India League" opposing Motilal Nehru's Report, advocating for complete independence.

   • Both Bose and Nehru shared socialist ideologies initially.

2. Gandhi Brigade:

   • Named after Mahatma Gandhi.

   • Highlights the respect Bose held for Gandhi, despite ideological differences.

Bose-Gandhi Relationship & Ideological Differences:

• Dismissal of Conflict Narrative: The speaker refutes the common "Gandhi vs. Bose" narrative often spread online, stating it's largely manufactured.

• Mutual Respect: Emphasizes that both leaders had deep mutual respect.

  • Gandhi called Bose the "Prince among Patriots" (దేశభక్తులలో యువరాజు).

  • Bose was the first to call Gandhi the "Father of the Nation" (జాతిపిత) during a broadcast from Azad Hind Radio (Singapore), seeking his blessings.

• Ideological Differences (భావజాల వ్యత్యాసాలు):

  • Gandhi: Focused on Non-violence (అహింస), achieving independence in phases (దశల వారీగా), believed Means were as important as the Ends (మార్గం కూడా ముఖ్యం), emphasized Swadeshi.

  • Bose: Believed in a Militant (సైనిక) approach using arms, advocated for immediate Complete Independence (ఒకేసారి), felt the Ends justified the Means (గమ్యం ముఖ్యం), was willing to seek foreign help (including from Axis powers like Germany, Italy, Japan).

• Key Difference Points:

  • Non-violence vs. Militant approach.

  • Independence in phases vs. Immediate complete independence.

  • Means vs. Ends justification.

  • Swadeshi vs. Acceptance of foreign aid/alliances (Nazis, Fascists, Japanese Imperialists).

INA Organisation & Symbols:

• Secular Greeting: Faced with diverse soldiers (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs), Bose sought a common greeting. Abid Hasan Safrani (అబిద్ హసన్), Bose's secretary from Hyderabad (హైదరాబాదీ), coined the secular slogan "Jai Hind" (జై హింద్ - Victory to India).

• Slogans:

  • "Chalo Delhi" (చలో ఢిల్లీ - Onwards to Delhi): Given by Bose from Singapore to motivate troops.

  • "Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!" (నాకు రక్తం ఇవ్వండి, మీకు స్వాతంత్ర్యం ఇస్తాను): Famous call for sacrifice.

• Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind Sarkar - ఆజాద్ హింద్ ప్రభుత్వం):

  • Established by Bose in Singapore on October 21, 1943 (21/Oct/1943).

  • Bose served as its Prime Minister (PM).

  • He received the title "Netaji" (నేతాజీ - Respected Leader) after this.

  • Recognized by Axis powers (Germany, Japan, Italy).

  • Headquarters: Singapore and later Rangoon (రంగూన్).

  • Flag: Indian Tricolour with a leaping Tiger (పులి) in the center (instead of the Charkha).

INA Military Campaign & Setbacks:

• INA, supported by the Japanese Army, moved from Singapore towards India.

• Captured Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Japan gave nominal control to INA.

  • Bose renamed Andaman as "Shaheed Dweep" (షహీద్ - Martyr Island).

  • Bose renamed Nicobar as "Swaraj Dweep" (స్వరాజ్ - Self-Rule Island).

  • Bose hoisted the Tricolour flag on these islands.

• Advanced into mainland India, capturing parts of Manipur (మణిపూర్).

• Hoisted the Indian flag for the first time on the mainland at Moirang (మియోరాంగ్), Manipur.

• Advanced towards Kohima (కోహిమా), Nagaland.

• Defeat at Kohima/Imphal: The INA was eventually defeated by the British Indian Army.

  • Reasons: Withdrawal of Japanese support (Japan losing WW2), lack of air support (planes/helicopters not provided by Japan), logistical problems (transport, food, water supply cut off), difficult terrain (heavy rains, mud in Assam), soldiers suffered hunger and thirst.

Bose's Disappearance:

• Subhas Chandra Bose disappeared, presumed dead, after a plane crash near Formosa (Taiwan - తైవాన్) on August 18, 1945 (18/Aug/1945).

• His death remains a mystery (మిస్టరీ).

• He is the only major freedom fighter whose death anniversary (వర్ధంతి) is not observed, only birth anniversary (జయంతి), due to the uncertainty.

INA Trials / Red Fort Trials (INA విచారణ / ఎర్రకోట విచారణ):

• Held in 1945-46.

• Captured INA soldiers were tried for treason (దేశద్రోహం) against the British Crown at the Red Fort in Delhi.

• Key Officers Tried:

  • Prem Kumar Sahgal (హిందూ - Hindu)

  • Shah Nawaz Khan (ముస్లిం - Muslim, commander of the Subhas Brigade)

  • Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon (సిఖ్ - Sikh)

  • (Their joint trial symbolized communal harmony).

• Nationwide Reaction:

  • Huge public support for the INA soldiers, viewed as patriots (దేశభక్తులు), not traitors.

  • Massive protests and demonstrations across India.

  • All political parties (INC, Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, CPI, Liberal Party) supported the INA soldiers, partly using the issue for the 1945-46 elections.

• Defence Committee: INC formed a defence committee.

  • Lawyers: Jawaharlal Nehru (returned to legal practice for this case), Bhulabhai Desai (భూలాబాయ్ దేశాయ్ - chief defence counsel), Asaf Ali (అసఫ్ అలీ), Kailash Nath Katju (కట్జూ), Tej Bahadur Sapru (తేజ్ బహదూర్ సప్రు - Liberal Party).

• Outcome: The court convicted the officers but the Commander-in-Chief commuted their sentences due to overwhelming public pressure.

Impact and Significance of INA:

• Military Success: Did not achieve direct military victory or immediate independence.

• Major Achievements/Impact:

  1. Anti-British Sentiment in Army: For the first time, the Indian Army (which was the backbone of British rule) turned anti-British. It showed the British that they could no longer rely solely on the loyalty of Indian soldiers to maintain control.

  2. Inspiration for RIN Mutiny: The INA trials and the patriotic fervour they generated directly inspired the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Mutiny of 1946 (నౌకాదళ తిరుగుబాటు - next topic).

  3. Boosted Patriotism: Ignited immense patriotism and nationalistic feeling across India, uniting people regardless of religion, caste, or political affiliation.

  4. Accelerated Independence: Significantly contributed to the final phase of the freedom struggle and hastened the British decision to grant independence. While not immediately successful militarily (తక్షణ విజయం లేదు), its long-term impact (దీర్ఘకాలిక విజయం) was immense.

Conclusion: The INA movement, despite its military failure, played a crucial role in shaking the foundations of British rule by challenging the loyalty of the Indian Army and uniting the Indian populace with intense patriotism, thereby significantly contributing to India's eventual independence.