INA: A forgotten chapter or an unforgettable slice of history?

Indian National Army aka Azad Hind Fauj. It was a force formed to realize the dream of Subhash Chandra Bose. A full fledged army it was supposed to be. It might be lacking in resources, but never in spirits. Singapore was the place of its birth. Originally formed by Mohan Sinh, it was revived by Subhash Babu. And it was to march towards the Burma front to enter and attack in India from the East. The I.N.A. had a Rani of Jhansi Regiment headed by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan (later Lakshmi Sehegal). Subhash Babu firmly believed if there would be a thousand women as brave as Lakshmibai aka Rani oh Jhansi, it would not be difficult to drive the British away from India. Hence he appealed the women to join the I.N.A.

With a sudden, unexpected and untimed death of Subhash Babu in 1945 followed by the fall of Japan, the I.N.A. became a history. 

Here are some images related to the I.N.A. 

Subhash Babu made his broadcast on July 6, 1944 and he sought Mahatma Gandhi's blessings for the 'holy war'. Seen here is Subhash Babu broadcasting the message. 

"Comrades! The Azad Hind Fauj has only one single aim: the liberation of Mother India; the Fauj has only one destination: the ancient Red Delhi Fort!.... The Provisional Government and its Army are the servants of the Indian Nation." This was his address about the aim of the Fauj, which was made on October 25, 1943.) Subhash Babu can be seen receiving the salute from the army.

This is how warmly Subhash Babu was received by the women. In Rangoon, he addressed to the women, "sisters, there is no sphere of our activity in which our Women have not gladly and bravely shared the burden of work...."

The soldiers of I.N.A. welcome the declaration of war on Britain and America. 

"I, Subhash Chandra Bose, will continue this sacred war of freedom till the last breath of my life...." On October 23, 1943, Subhash Babu took the oath of allegiance to the Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind (Provisional Government of Free India). . 

The regiments were named as 'Gandhi Brigade', 'Azad Brigade', 'Nehru Brigade' and 'Subhash Brigade'. Subhash Babu can be seen in the photograph having a military inspection of the Gandhi Brigade of Azad Hind Fauj. 

The soldiers of I.N.A. marching in the hilly area of Assam with a spirit- "It does not matter who among us will live.." 

Subhash Chandra Bose examining plans of the campaign along with his Staff Officers. 

These are some of the memories we have today of I.N.A. It might be a forgotten chapter, it will remain live in our heart as an unforgettable slice of history.