Indian National Army (INA)

Origin and Formation

The Indian National Army (INA), also known as Azad Hind Fauj, was a revolutionary military force formed during the Second World War with the singular aim of securing India’s independence from British colonial rule. Established in February 1942 in Singapore, its formation was inspired by the rising spirit and urgency for freedom and the opportunities presented by wartime circumstances. The INA’s foundation was laid by Mohan Singh, a British-Indian Army officer captured during the Malayan campaign, who, with Japanese assistance, began recruiting Indian Prisoners of War (POWs) after the fall of Singapore. Nearly 45,000 troops were captured, and many, driven by hope and the harsh realities of captivity, pledged allegiance to the INA for the cause of Indian freedom.

Phases of the INA

The First INA

The First INA (February - December 1942) was organized by Mohan Singh with Japanese help. The army consisted primarily of Indian POWs and aimed to act as the military wing of the Indian Independence League, led by Rash Behari Bose. Differences regarding Japanese intentions led to its dissolution in December 1942.

The first incarnation engaged in clandestine operations, inciting mutiny and espionage on the Burma frontier, and worked to sway the morale of Indian troops in the region.

Subhas Chandra Bose and the Second INA

In 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose arrived in Southeast Asia after an adventurous escape from British India. Bose revitalized and restructured the INA, attracting new recruits from both Indian civilians in Malaya and Singapore and remnants of the original INA.

Under Bose’s charismatic leadership, the INA was reimagined not just as a military entity but as the army of an independent Indian government, the Provisional Government of Azad Hind - which Bose declared in 1943.

Structure and Composition

The INA comprised mainly former soldiers of the British Indian Army, but with Bose’s arrival, its ranks included many civilians from the Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia. It was organized in a manner that broke traditional regimental divides, bridging communal and caste barriers. Key units included the Hindustan Field Force, Gandhi, Nehru, and Azad regiments, structured to prepare for active operations in India.

Military Campaigns and Operations

The INA fought alongside Japanese forces in the Burma Campaign (1944), advancing to India’s northeastern frontiers. The most notable engagements occurred around Imphal and Kohima, intended to spark a national uprising within British India.

Operatives undertook espionage missions, some even landing on Indian shores by submarine to sow discord within the British Indian Army.

Ideology and Leadership

The INA was animated by the vision of a free, united, and secular India. Subhas Chandra Bose’s slogan - “Chalo Delhi” (March to Delhi) - galvanized INA soldiers and supporters. Bose emphasized unity above all divisions and envisioned the INA spearheading the liberation of India from British rule.

Decline and Impact

The INA’s advance faltered at the Battle of Imphal in 1944, and subsequent British offensives led to the collapse and surrender of the INA in August 1945. Many members were captured and subjected to trials known as the infamous INA trials. Despite its military defeat, the INA’s legacy was profound; its actions fueled nationalist sentiment, challenged colonial authority, and inspired mass support for independence upon the soldiers’ return and the INA trials.

Legacy

Today, the INA is remembered as the military expression of India’s yearning for freedom. It played a catalytic role - psychologically and politically - in mobilizing support for independence. Regarded as heroes, INA soldiers are celebrated for their courage, patriotism, and sacrifice.

The story of the Indian National Army is a testament to the lengths freedom seekers were willing to go, blending daring vision, sacrifice, and a refusal to remain subjugated. Its formation, campaigns, and ultimate dissolution mark a unique and spirited chapter in the annals of India’s struggle for liberation.