Provisional Government of Free India

The Provisional Government of Free India, known in Hindi as the Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind, was established by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on 21 October 1943 in Singapore during the Second World War. It was a government-in-exile that sought to secure India’s independence from British colonial rule with the support of the Axis Powers, particularly Japan. The formation of this government marked a bold step in the internationalisation of India’s freedom struggle and demonstrated the determination of Indians abroad to fight for liberation through armed resistance.

Background and Formation

The emergence of the Provisional Government of Free India must be understood in the context of the global and national circumstances of the early 1940s.

1. Indian National Army (INA):
   • The idea of raising an Indian armed force to fight against the British originated with Captain Mohan Singh, who organised the first Indian National Army (INA) in 1942 from Indian prisoners of war captured by the Japanese during their campaigns in Southeast Asia.
   • However, due to disagreements with Japanese authorities, the first INA collapsed in late 1942.
2. Arrival of Subhas Chandra Bose:
   • Subhas Chandra Bose, after escaping from India in 1941, reached Japan via Germany.
   • His leadership revitalised the movement for Indian independence abroad.
   • Bose reorganised the INA with Japanese assistance and united various Indian political organisations in East Asia under one leadership.
3. Establishment of the Government:
   • On 21 October 1943, Bose formally proclaimed the establishment of the Provisional Government of Free India at a public ceremony in Singapore.
   • The government represented a symbolic declaration of Indian sovereignty, rejecting British colonial authority.

Structure and Leadership

The Provisional Government functioned as a full-fledged government-in-exile, complete with its own ministries, military, and diplomatic structure.

• Head of State and Prime Minister: Subhas Chandra Bose (Netaji)
• Minister for Foreign Affairs and War: Subhas Chandra Bose
• Finance Minister: Ras Behari Bose
• Women’s Affairs: Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan (later Lakshmi Sahgal), who led the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, the women’s wing of the INA.
• Other Key Members: A.C. Chatterji, Anand Mohan Sahay, S.A. Ayer, and others served in various capacities.

The government adopted the slogan “Ittefaq, Itmad, Qurbani” (Unity, Faith, Sacrifice) and proclaimed its ultimate aim as the liberation of India by force.

Territorial and Political Aspects

1. Headquarters and Territories:
   • The government was headquartered initially in Singapore and later in Rangoon (Burma).
   • It exercised nominal authority over parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which Japan transferred to the INA in December 1943.
   • The islands were renamed Shaheed (Martyr) Island and Swaraj (Self-Rule) Island by Bose.
2. Diplomatic Recognition:
   • The Provisional Government received recognition from several Axis-aligned states:
     • Japan, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Burma, Thailand, and Manchukuo (Japanese-controlled Manchuria).
   • It also maintained representatives in Tokyo, Berlin, and Rome, symbolising its international presence.
3. Symbolism:
   • The Tricolour Flag of the Indian National Congress was adopted, featuring the springing tiger emblem at its centre instead of the spinning wheel, symbolising strength and action.
   • The national anthem was Jana Gana Mana, and the official greeting was “Jai Hind.”

The Indian National Army (INA)

The INA served as the military wing of the Provisional Government of Free India and was central to its operations.

• Leadership:
  • Reorganised under the supreme command of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
  • Divided into three brigades—Gandhi Brigade, Nehru Brigade, and Azad Brigade—and later included a women’s regiment, the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.
• Objective:
  • To launch a military campaign against British India from the east and inspire revolt within the Indian Army and civilian population.
• Military Campaigns:
  • The INA fought alongside the Japanese Army in the Imphal and Kohima campaigns (1944) on the India–Burma border.
  • Despite initial successes, the campaign failed due to supply shortages, monsoon rains, and Allied counterattacks.
  • Thousands of INA soldiers were captured and later tried by the British in India.

Policies and Vision

The Provisional Government of Free India was guided by clear ideological and political objectives:

1. Complete Independence:
   • Rejection of dominion status; demand for total sovereignty.
2. Armed Struggle:
   • Emphasis on military action to end colonial rule, contrasting the non-violent approach of the Indian National Congress.
3. Social and Economic Reforms:
   • Bose envisioned a modern, socialist, and egalitarian India, with planned economic development and equal rights for all citizens.
4. Unity and Secularism:
   • The government upheld secularism, seeking to unite Indians across religion, region, and caste.
   • Its army and administration included Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and women from diverse backgrounds.

Decline and Collapse

The fortunes of the Provisional Government were tied to those of the Axis Powers during the Second World War.

• Following Japan’s defeat in 1945 and the surrender of its forces, the Provisional Government of Free India effectively ceased to function.
• Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose reportedly died in a plane crash in Taipei (Formosa) on 18 August 1945, although the circumstances of his death remain debated.
• The INA soldiers were captured by Allied forces and brought to India to face trial in the Red Fort Trials (1945–46).

Despite its military defeat, the movement profoundly influenced Indian nationalism and accelerated the process of decolonisation.

Impact and Historical Significance

1. National Awakening:
   • The INA’s struggle under the Provisional Government awakened nationalist sentiments across India and inspired widespread sympathy.
2. Political Mobilisation:
   • The INA Trials became a rallying point for Indians of all political affiliations, including Congress, Communists, and the Muslim League, who united in demanding clemency for the soldiers.
3. Influence on the British Decision to Leave India:
   • The British realised that loyalty within the Indian armed forces was weakening—a crucial factor in maintaining colonial control.
   • This awareness hastened Britain’s decision to grant independence to India.
4. Legacy of Subhas Chandra Bose:
   • The Provisional Government symbolised Bose’s vision of a united, free, and self-reliant India.
   • It demonstrated that India’s freedom struggle was not confined to non-violence alone but included a parallel current of armed resistance.