- Formation: The Azad Hind Fauj, also known as the Indian National Army (INA), was first established by Mohan Singh in 1942.
- Revival: It was revived by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in 1943 during the Second World War.
- Aim: To secure India’s complete independence from the British Raj.
- Way to INA
- After the British defeat by Japan in Southeast Asia, Japan supported the formation of the INA.
- Mohan Singh served as the commander of 40,000 soldiers, while Rashbihari Bose served as the president.
- In October 1943, Rashbihari Bose handed over command of the INA to Subhas Chandra Bose.
- In November 1943, the Japanese announced their decision to transfer the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the INA.
- Regiments: The INA included brigades named after Gandhi, Azad, Nehru, and Jhansi Rani (a women’s regiment).
- Provisional Government: On October 21, 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose established the Provisional Government for Free India in Singapore, with members like Chatterjee (Finance), M.A. Aiyar (Broadcasting), and Lakshmi Swaminathan (Women’s Department).
- Slogan: “Give me blood, I will give you freedom.”
- Headquarters: In January 1944, the INA headquarters moved to Rangoon (Burma), and recruits planned to march from there with the cry “Chalo Delhi”.
- Tribute to Gandhi: On July 6, 1944, Subhas Bose called Mahatma Gandhi ‘Father of the Nation’ during a broadcast from Azad Hind Radio.
- War Movement: They managed to capture Kohima and hoisted the tricolour flag on Indian soil, but failed to capture Imphal.
- Decline: The Fall of Japan also led to the fall of INA and INA soldiers were brought back to India and put on trials at Red Fort.