Subhash Chandra Bose | Indian National Army | Freedom Movement | Modern History | UPSC Smart Course

StudyIQ IAS

22 Jan 202313:27

Summary

TLDRThis video discusses the role of Subhash Chandra Bose in the Indian freedom movement, especially during World War II. It highlights his early achievements, resignation from the Indian Civil Services to join the freedom struggle, and his leadership in the Indian National Congress. The video delves into Bose's differences with Mahatma Gandhi over non-violence and socialism, his formation of the Forward Bloc, and his escape from British house arrest. It also covers his efforts to form the Indian National Army (INA) with Japanese support and his enduring commitment to India’s independence, despite the INA's eventual defeat.

Takeaways

🌟 Subhash Chandra Bose secured 4th position in the Indian Civil Services exam in 1920 but resigned in 1921 to join the freedom struggle.
📚 Bose opposed the dominion status provision in Motilal Nehru's report in 1928 and formed the Independence for India League with Jawaharlal Nehru.
🏛️ In 1938, Bose became the Congress President and established the National Planning Committee but resigned in 1939 due to differences with Gandhi.
⚔️ Bose formed the Forward Bloc in 1939 and organized anti-compromise movements when Congress didn’t support his aggressive approach during World War II.
🏃‍♂️ In January 1941, Bose escaped house arrest and traveled to Afghanistan and later to Germany to seek international support for India's freedom.
🇩🇪 In Germany, Bose formed the Free India Legion with Indian-origin prisoners of war and started regular broadcasts from the Azad Hind Radio.
🇯🇵 Disillusioned with Germany, Bose traveled to Japan in 1943, where he became the leader of the Indian National Army (INA), taking command from Mohan Singh.
💬 Bose’s popular slogan 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom' rallied support for the INA, including local Indians and prisoners of war.
🏴 In October 1943, Bose formed the Provisional Government of Free India, and INA units fought alongside Japanese forces in the Imphal campaign of 1944.
✈️ Bose's mysterious death in a plane crash in 1945 remains a subject of debate, but his legacy through the INA and its contribution to India's independence is significant.

Q & A

Who was Subhas Chandra Bose, and what role did he play in the Indian independence movement?
-Subhas Chandra Bose, also known as Netaji, was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement. He resigned from the Indian Civil Services in 1921 and dedicated his life to the freedom struggle. He later formed the Forward Bloc and led the Indian National Army (INA) to fight for India's freedom.
Why did Subhas Chandra Bose resign from the Indian Civil Services?
-Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from the Indian Civil Services in 1921 because he believed that he could not serve the British government while his country was under colonial rule. He chose to join the Indian freedom struggle instead.
What were the key ideological differences between Subhas Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi?
-Subhas Chandra Bose believed in socialism and was willing to take any measures, including violence, to achieve independence. In contrast, Mahatma Gandhi advocated for non-violence (ahimsa) and believed in trusteeship theory. These fundamental differences in their approaches led to Bose resigning from the Congress Party's leadership.
What led to Subhas Chandra Bose forming the Forward Bloc?
-Bose formed the Forward Bloc in 1939 after resigning from the Congress presidency. He disagreed with the Congress's strategies during World War II, particularly its reluctance to take advantage of the situation to launch a large-scale movement for independence.
How did Subhas Chandra Bose escape from house arrest in 1941?
-Subhas Chandra Bose escaped from house arrest on January 17, 1941, by disguising himself as a Pathan. He managed to evade British officers and traveled to Peshawar, then through Afghanistan to Russia, eventually seeking assistance from foreign powers to liberate India.
Why did Subhas Chandra Bose go to Germany, and what was his objective there?
-After being disappointed by the Soviet Union's alliance with Britain during World War II, Subhas Chandra Bose went to Germany to seek support for India's independence. He hoped to gain assistance from Germany and Italy to fight against British colonial rule.
What was the Free India Legion, and how did Bose form it?
-The Free India Legion, also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, was an army of Indian soldiers formed by Subhas Chandra Bose with the help of German forces. It primarily consisted of Indian prisoners of war captured by Axis forces, and its aim was to fight against British rule in India.
What role did the Indian National Army (INA) play under Subhas Chandra Bose's leadership?
-Under Subhas Chandra Bose, the INA played a significant role in attempting to liberate India from British rule through military action. Bose revitalized the INA, which had originally been created by Mohan Singh, and led it in campaigns, including the Imphal Campaign in India.
What was the significance of Bose's slogan, 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom'?
-Bose's slogan, 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom,' was a powerful call to action, urging Indians to contribute to the fight for independence by making sacrifices. It symbolized Bose's militant approach to achieving freedom and inspired many to join the INA.
What happened to Subhas Chandra Bose and the INA after World War II?
-After Japan's surrender in August 1945, the INA also disbanded. According to reports, Subhas Chandra Bose died in a plane crash in Taiwan on August 18, 1945, under mysterious circumstances. The INA's soldiers were taken as prisoners of war, but their trials in India sparked widespread nationalist movements.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 The Journey of Subhash Chandra Bose and Early Political Involvement

Subhash Chandra Bose, a key leader in the Indian freedom struggle, initially secured fourth place in the Indian Civil Services examination in 1920. However, he resigned in 1921 to join the freedom movement, becoming a member of the Indian National Congress under the mentorship of Chittaranjan Das. Bose, alongside Jawaharlal Nehru, opposed Dominion Status for India, advocating complete independence, leading to the formation of the Independence for India League. In 1938, Bose became Congress President and initiated the National Planning Committee, but his ideological differences with Gandhi, particularly on socialism and non-violence, led him to resign and form the Forward Bloc in 1939.

05:00

📡 Bose’s Escape, Formation of the Free India Legion, and Germany’s Role

After being placed under house arrest by the British in December 1940, Bose escaped in January 1941, traveling in disguise to Peshawar and then to Afghanistan, before seeking Soviet assistance. When Soviet Russia allied with Britain, Bose sought help from Germany, forming the Free India Legion from Indian prisoners of war. The legion was based in Dresden, where Bose was honored with the title 'Netaji'. Bose also launched regular broadcasts from Berlin on the 'Azad Hind Radio,' advocating for Indian independence and gaining popularity among Indian listeners.

10:04

🚢 Bose's Shift from Germany to Japan and the INA's Evolution

Bose's disillusionment with Germany's intentions led him to leave for Japan in 1943 via submarine. Upon arriving in Singapore, he assumed leadership of the Indian National Army (INA), which had been initially formed by Mohan Singh. The INA, formed from British Indian soldiers captured by Japan, had seen internal conflicts regarding its autonomy and purpose, with Japan favoring a smaller, symbolic force while Singh aimed for a larger, autonomous army. Bose’s arrival marked the second phase of the INA’s growth and reorganization, with significant support from Indian expatriates in Southeast Asia.

💥 The INA’s March to India and Struggles on the Battlefield

In 1944, Bose led the INA on its mission to liberate India, with its battle cry 'Chalo Delhi'. However, the INA faced hardships, including discriminatory treatment by the Japanese, who provided inadequate resources to Indian soldiers. Despite these challenges, the INA crossed into Indian soil and participated in the Imphal Campaign. Though initially successful, the campaign faltered as Allied forces overwhelmed the INA and Japanese troops. By mid-1945, following Japan's surrender in World War II, the INA’s efforts ended, and Bose’s suspected death in a plane crash on August 18, 1945, marked the conclusion of his military journey.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Subhash Chandra Bose

Subhash Chandra Bose, also known as 'Netaji', was a prominent leader in India's struggle for independence. He is known for his strong belief in achieving freedom through armed resistance, differing from Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence approach. Bose formed the Indian National Army (INA) and sought international support to overthrow British rule, as detailed in the video, which focuses on his activities during World War II.

💡Indian National Army (INA)

The Indian National Army (INA) was an armed force formed by Indian nationalists during World War II to secure India's independence from British rule. The INA was initially established by Mohan Singh but gained momentum under Subhash Chandra Bose, who revitalized it in Singapore in 1943. The video discusses the INA's crucial role in the freedom movement and its collaboration with Japan against British forces.

💡Forward Bloc

The Forward Bloc was a political party formed by Subhash Chandra Bose in 1939 after his resignation from the Indian National Congress. Bose created this party to continue his more radical approach to fighting for India's independence, particularly after disagreements with Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress leadership over strategies. The video covers Bose's journey post-Congress and his efforts to gather support for a larger movement.

💡Quit India Movement

The Quit India Movement was a mass civil disobedience campaign launched by the Indian National Congress in 1942 demanding an end to British rule in India. Although Subhash Chandra Bose was not directly involved due to his departure from the Congress, the video mentions it as a significant parallel event in India's struggle for independence during World War II.

💡Second World War

World War II (1939-1945) forms the backdrop of Bose's efforts to gain international support for India's independence. The video highlights how Bose capitalized on the global conflict, seeking help from countries like Germany and Japan to weaken British control over India. This period was crucial for the rise of the INA and Bose's leadership.

💡House Arrest and Escape

Subhash Chandra Bose was placed under house arrest by the British in December 1940 due to his growing influence in the independence movement. However, he dramatically escaped in January 1941, disguising himself as a Pathan. The video details this escape, Bose's journey to Afghanistan, and his subsequent efforts to seek Soviet and later Axis powers' support.

💡Azad Hind Radio

Azad Hind Radio was a radio service established by Subhash Chandra Bose in Germany to broadcast nationalist propaganda and messages to Indians during World War II. Bose used this platform to inspire Indians to rise against British rule, as the video illustrates his persistent communication efforts through radio to connect with the Indian masses.

💡Provisional Government of Free India

The Provisional Government of Free India, also known as Azad Hind, was a government-in-exile established by Subhash Chandra Bose in 1943 in Singapore. The video explains how this government aimed to consolidate efforts towards India’s independence with support from Axis powers. It marked a symbolic moment in Bose's leadership of the INA.

💡Japan-INA Collaboration

Japan played a significant role in supporting the INA, especially in Southeast Asia during World War II. The video outlines how Japan provided resources and military aid to Bose and his army, although there were tensions regarding the autonomy of the INA. This collaboration was a key factor in the INA's operations in Burma and India.

💡Imphal and Kohima Campaign

The Imphal and Kohima Campaign (1944) was a major military operation by the INA, in alliance with the Japanese forces, to invade British India through Burma. Although the campaign ultimately failed, the video discusses it as a defining moment in Bose's strategy to liberate India. It demonstrates the INA's attempts to gain a foothold in Indian territory.

Highlights

Subhash Chandra Bose resigned from the Indian Civil Services in 1921 to join the freedom struggle.

In 1938, Bose became the president of the Congress at the Haripura session, representing the younger generation in the party.

Bose's political and economic ideologies differed from Gandhi's; Bose supported socialism while Gandhi believed in non-violence and trusteeship.

After disagreements with Congress, Bose resigned as president and formed the Forward Bloc in 1939.

Bose believed the Second World War presented an opportunity for a large-scale Indian independence movement.

In January 1941, Bose escaped from house arrest in disguise and fled to Afghanistan, eventually making his way to Germany.

Bose formed the Free India Legion in Germany with Indian-origin war prisoners and began broadcasting via Berlin Radio.

Bose grew skeptical of German intentions after meeting with Hitler and shifted his efforts to Japan in 1943.

Bose took command of the Indian National Army (INA) in Singapore and reorganized it, leading the second phase of its activities.

The INA's first phase, initiated by Mohan Singh, faced challenges due to disagreements with the Japanese, leading to Singh's arrest.

Bose formed the Provisional Government of Free India in Singapore in 1943 and declared war on Britain and the United States.

Bose's INA included the Rani Jhansi Regiment, an all-women regiment.

The INA entered Indian territory in 1944, but faced difficulties due to discriminatory treatment by the Japanese and logistical challenges.

The INA's campaign collapsed following the defeat of Japan in 1945, and Bose's death in a plane crash remains controversial.

Although the INA did not succeed militarily, its efforts ignited a strong movement in India, contributing indirectly to the freedom struggle.