Subhash Chandra Bose led a serious armed struggle against the British during the Second World War. In 1943, he went to Japan to plan an attack on the British and win independence for India with Japan’s help.
Bose took charge of the famous Indian National Army also known as the INA or the Azad Hind Fauj, which was formed with the help of Rash Behari Bose and Mohan Singh. It is here that Subhash Chandra Bose came to known as Netaji.
The INA set up an independent government in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It then entered into India through Burma, and captured Kohima after severe fighting with the British army. The INA tried to capture Imphal also but Japan was having troubles of its own, and could not give the help expected.
Netaji’s top lieutenants were arrested, and when the Allies, led by Britain, won World War II, Netaji’s dream of liberating India with the help of Japan remained unfulfilled.
The INA however remains a symbol of India’s determination to be a free and independent nation- a symbol that is very dear to and deeply honoured by the nation today.
