Question

The popular upsurge in 1942 was crushed by the British Government, but the freedom struggle was carried on outside India by the Indian National Army. Discuss any four contributions of the Indian National Army with reference to the freedom struggle in India.

Answer 1

Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army (INA) made a substantial impact on the liberation movement outside of India.

1. Inspiration for the Armed Forces: The Armed Forces were sparked by the INA movement, which resulted in the Naval Mutiny in Bombay and related uprisings in Calcutta, Madras, and Karachi. This broad backing demonstrated that the British could no longer rule India just by force.
2. Support from workers: According to the Bombay CPI, workers expressed their support for the INA by calling for a general strike. This demonstrated the unanimity of Indian society's diverse factions against colonial oppression and the widespread resistance to British authority.
3. Public Awareness and Protest: Nationwide protests were sparked by Netaji's courageous effort, which was brought to light by the INA trials in 1945. After street fights and protests broke out, the British government had to change course and free the INA detainees.
4. Impact on British Perception: British Prime Minister Clement Attlee signaled a change in British strategy towards Indian independence when he acknowledged that British control in India could no longer rely on the backing of the Indian army and police, in response to the INA movement.