8.3.1. Bose and the INA

A radical nationalist, with socialist leanings, Bose did not share Gandhiji’s ideal of ahimsa, though he respected him as the 'Father of the Nation'.

This chunk introduces Subhas Chandra Bose as a prominent figure in India's struggle for independence. Unlike Mahatma Gandhi, who advocated for non-violence or 'ahimsa', Bose believed that armed struggle could be a legitimate means to achieve independence from British rule. This difference in ideologies highlights the diverse approaches to the freedom movement, showcasing that not all leaders agreed on how to confront colonialism.

Think of two friends planning to win a game. One friend believes in playing fair and following all the rules (like Gandhi's non-violence), while the other believes sometimes you need to take bold and aggressive actions to win (like Bose's radical approach). Both have the same goal of winning but choose different paths to get there.

In January 1941, he secretly left his Calcutta home, went to Singapore, via Germany, and raised the Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army (INA).

Bose’s actions in 1941 reflect his commitment to the independence cause; he covertly traveled to different countries to garner support against the British. In Singapore, he established the Indian National Army (INA) to mobilize Indian soldiers and civilians to fight for freedom. This marks a significant shift towards organizing an armed struggle and represents how Bose aimed to unite Indians under a nationalistic spirit to oppose colonial rule.

Imagine a student who believes in changing school rules for better lunch choices. Instead of petitioning the school, this student secretly talks to food vendors outside of school to arrange a better food option and calls on classmates to help prepare lunch. Just like this student, Bose took direct action to change the 'food' of freedom for India.

To free India from British control, in 1944, the INA tried to enter India through Imphal and Kohima but the campaign failed. The INA members were imprisoned and tried. People across the country, from all walks of life, participated in the movement against the INA trials.

This chunk narrates the struggles and eventual setbacks faced by the INA as they attempted to liberate India during WWII. Despite their failure to conquer territories, the trials held against INA soldiers rallied widespread support and sympathy among the Indian populace, showcasing how the struggle for independence involved deep personal sacrifices and the mobilization of national sentiment against colonial supremacy.

Consider a local sports team that trains hard for a championship but loses in the finals. Despite the loss, their effort and determination inspire fellow students to support the team even more. Likewise, the INA’s efforts, even in defeat, united many Indians in their quest for freedom.

The first response of the British was severe repression. By the end of 1943, over 90,000 people were arrested, and around 1,000 killed in police firing. In many areas, orders were given to machine-gun crowds from airplanes.

This chunk discusses the extreme measures taken by the British authorities to suppress the uprising. The severity of their actions reflects the perceived threat posed by movements like the INA. Such violence not only highlighted the urgency of the Indian struggle for independence but also galvanized more people to participate in the freedom movement, realizing that the British were willing to go to extreme lengths to maintain control.

Imagine a group of students protesting against unfair school policies. In response, the school administration overreacts and punishes even more students, leading to greater unrest and more students joining the protest. This scenario mirrors how British repression against the INA resulted in increased support for India's independence movement.

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