Author:

Arghya Mondal
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Department of History
Raiganj University
Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal,India

Email:arghyamondal414@gmail.com

Abstract: This paper attempts to analysis the historical background of the formation of Indian National Army (INA) under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, its fight for India’s freedom and the extraordinary legacies it left behind. In January 1941, Bose left home in disguise and reached to Nazi Germany where with the help of the German government he formed the Freise Indian Legion “a sister organisation of INA”. But later on, because of the war situation he left Germany and reached Singapore. He took the leadership of the already formed INA there as the Supreme Commander and injected a new life in it. INA fought valiantly in the battle but was ultimately defeated, leaving behind the significant legacies of national symbols, the examples of communal harmony and secularism, the spirit of fighting for the Indians against British subjugation and also the contributions of several leading INA members as politicians and high officers in independent India. The findings indicate that the INA shook the loyalty of the Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army to the British Crown which compelled the Britishers to expedite the liberation of India and it was even acknowledged by then British Prime Minister Clement Attlee.

Key Words: British, Communal Harmony, Jai Hind, Legacies, Second World War etc.