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Volume-03 ISSN: 2455-3085 (Online) Issue-12 RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary December -2018 www.rrjournals.com [UGC Listed Journal]

Mobilization of Indians for Total War of Independence in South-East Asia

Dr. Harkirat Singh

Associate Professor, Head, Department of History, Public College, Samana, Punjab (India)

ARTICLE DETAILS ABSTRACT Article History The formation of Indian National Army in South East Asia was milestone in Indian freedom Published Online: 10 December 2018 struggle. Subhas Chandra Bose organized the Indian National Army and established the Provisional Government of Azad Hind to mobilize the Indians for the cause i.e. freedom. It Keywords was to be a mass movement of the three million Indians in East Asia, a movement in which Chalo-Delhi, Hindustani, Jai-Hind, every man, woman and child contributed their utmost. The entire movement was to be Azad Hind Fauz. financed and supported by Indians in East Asia. With the mobilized sources S.C. Bose led

* the war of liberation against the British at Indo-Burma front. Corresponding Author Email: 73sidhu[at]gmail.com

1. Introduction mobilize all the resources of the Indian people and to lead the The Indian independence movement in South East Asia is fight against the British.” a fascinating and soul-stirring chapter in the history of Indian freedom struggle, which created deep interest and desire in the After S.C. Bose had reorganized the INA and established minds of the Indians to know more and more about it. The the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, he had started purpose of the study is to explore the historical dimensions of working for a Total Mobilization for a Total War with great the Indians who moved to South East Asia, stressing on the vitality, working day and night and knowing no rest or sleep as need to study their contribution to the Indian freedom he was preparing for the last struggle with a view to ensuring movement from outside the country. There is hardly any the solidarity of all Indians in East Asia as well as to have systematic historical research on the topic in an exhaustive support of countries like Japan, Burma, Thailand and Indo- manner. For writing the research paper I have used a variety China for the Indian independence movement. He undertook of original and secondary sources including Indian National an extensive tour of these countries. All the resources of the Army Files, contemporary newspapers and magazine etc. Indian in East Asia, in men, money and material were required for the successful struggle against the British. From the very The countries of South-East Asia with large population of beginning S.C. Bose was calling the Indians for Total Indians had assumed significance in the struggle for freedom Mobilization. of India. A large number of Indians, who left India in the early years of 20th century, went to Japan, China, Malaya, Burma After the declaration of war on Britain, on October 24, and other parts and started revolutionary activities with the 1944 S.C. Bose addressed the audience of 50000 Indian at object to liberate India from the foreign yoke. They established Singapore. The air was rent with lusty shouts of 'Inqilab Indian Independence League and its branches throughout Zindabad', 'Azad Hind Zindabad' and 'Netaji Ki Jai.' The South- East Asia with the objective of trying „utmost for liberty audience of 50,000 rose to its feet, wild cheering broke out fifty of India.‟ 1 The Indian patriots in South-East Asia were waiting thousand throats shouted revolutionary slogans for full fifteen for an opportunity to accelerate Indian independence minutes without a break. The civilian men, women and children movement. At the out broke of Second World War , a section raised both their hands and went on cheering their solemn of Indian leadership came out with an express idea why not to assurance to S.C. Bose. To boost the mass S.C. Bose made seek foreign help for the freedom of the country, particularly the following speech at the mass rally:- from the enemy of the British viz. Japan and Germany. With this thinking Gen. Mohan Singh with other Indians formed the “……………. the Provisional Government having now Indian National Army in September 1942, from among the risen an a natural sequence to the organization of Indian prisoners of war lodged in South-East Asia by the British three millions of Indians in East Asia and the and Indian civilian residents of the region. The first INA was establishment of the powerful Indian National Army, disbanded in December, 1942 after disagreement between even our enemies would have to think twice before Japanese and Gen. Mohan Singh, who came to believe that calling it a propaganda stunt. The present Provisional Japanese was using the INA as a mere propaganda tool. In Government of Azad Hind is not a plaything; it is a 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose reached in East Asia and took solid and powerful body having as its sanction the will over the command of the Indian National Army and of the three millions of Indians united as a granite wall Presidentship of the Indian Independence League. After the by the Indian Independence League and having as its reorganization of the INA, S.C. Bose established the support the Indian National Army…………I would Provisional Government of Azad Hind at Singapore in 1943. once again reiterate that our programme of Total The one of the task of the Provisional Government was “ to Mobilization must be carried out with greater vigor as a sequel to the formation, of our Provisional Government. I would once again repeat my appeal for

Men, Money and Materials. It is the duty of the Malaya, Thailand and Burma started women's section. But it Indians in East Asia to see that there is continuous was with the arrival of Subhas Chandra Bose that movement stream of men, money and materials forthcoming till underwent a revolutionary change and gathered a fresh we achieve final victory……..”2 momentum. As early as 9th July 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose asked for men as well women volunteers. He felt that women The finance was main consideration for the Provisional must be ready to share the burden of freedom's battle. "This Government. The average monthly income from this sources, caught the imagination of the Indian women folk" and a before S.C. Bose, was assessed to be Rs. 30,00,000 to Rs. beginning to start a women's Regiment was made, which later 40,00,000. After S.C. Bose's departure it had fallen to down to popularly came to be known as the "Rani Jhansi Regiment.''5 Rs. 15,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 which was considered to be very much less to run the Provisional Government. To collect On October 22, 1943, Indians gathered, to celebrate the the fund for Provisional Government a committee called "Netaji Birthday of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi in Singapore. The Fund Committee"3 was formed, which had following members:- entire audience composed mostly of women, young and old, rose to its feet and broke out into delirious cheering when S.C. 1. Lt. Col. A.C. Chatterji Chairman Bose called upon the Indian women to march shoulder to 2. Civilian Nizami Vice Chairman shoulder with their brothers of the Azad Hind Fauj and be 3. Civilian Butai Vice Chairman ready to lay down their lives on the battlefield for the sake of' 4. Civilian Karim Ghani Secretary 6 India's freedom. On that day Rani of Jhansi Regiment was 5. Civilian S.M. Bashir Joint Secretary officially opened. Subash Chandra Bose inspected the guard of 6. Civilian Baruth Joint Secretary 7. Civilian Dina Nath Member honour presented by an armed unit of the Rani of Jhansi 8. Civilian Khanna Member Regiment, in the company of Capt. Mrs. Lakshmi. On the same 9. Civilian Kalidas Member day S.C. Bose formally opened the training camp for the 10. Civilian Lall Khan Member regiment, and put it incharge of the Secretary of the League for its training.7 Dr. Lakshmi Swaminathan was appointed the first The funds for the movement was obtained by following Commandant of the Regiment. three main ways:- 1. From monthly subscriptions and donations. The opening of the Training Camp of the Rani Jhansi 2. By donations to Netaji Fund. Regiment was a land mark in the history of the Indian 3. Annual registration of members. independence movement in South-East Asia. Women of all castes, creeds and provinces of India joined up. There were The committee was under the Revenue Minister of the Tamils, Telgus, Sikhs, Bangalees, Muslims, Christians and Provisional Government S.N. Sircar. A complete report on the Gurkhas.8 When Subhas Chandra Bose visited Shangahi finance of the Provisional Government was prepared by remarkable enthusiasm was shown. Not only did men enlist as Raghvan. He explained the difficulties, which the Provisional volunteers, but nearly 150 women volunteered for the Rani of Government was facing, related to finances. After a careful Jhansi Regiment.9 They were given training in nursing, social deliberation on the subject it was decided to start a collection service and general welfare works. The military part of the of funds campaign by adopting various methods. The apparent training consisted of drill, weapon training, tactics, map reading function of the committee was to raise funds for the celebration and general subjects. They were trained to use rifles, of Bose's birthday, but the idea behind it was to collect funds bayonets, sub-machine guns, machine guns, revolvers, under this pretence, to replenish the dwindling finances of the grenades, swords, and daggers. Later when the training of the Provisional Government. The total donations in kind (i.e. gold) first batch was completed, they were absorbed into the INA as and in cash on Bose's birthday amounted to Rs. 2,00,00,000. one of its units and came under the direct control of the The chief donors as fellow:- supreme headquarters of the INA and pledged to the same cause, viz. the achievement of the complete Independence of Nizami 3½ lbs gold India. The strength of the regiment was about two thousand.10 Karim Ghani Rs. 10,00,000 Chattyar Community Rs. 1,00,00,000 approx4 A meeting of the Cabinet was held in Rangoon in October

1944. It was unanimously resolved that they would continue Ever since the formation of the Indian Independence the fight to better end, until the emancipation of their country League, it was felt that Indian women, in East Asia could also was achieved. During the meeting it was found that one great do lot of further for the cause of India's Independence. It was weakness that we discovered during their operation around such a great task that every man and every woman was Imphal was that they were too dependent on the Japanese for required to come forward to sacrifice his or her utmost for this rations, medicines etc.11 It was, therefore, decided to eliminate cause. Indian women could help their brothers in various ways all these problems in future operations. A supply department e.g. preparation and collection of bandages, first field was started and Parmanand was appointed Supply Minister. dressings and other requirements, collection of funds and articles required by the troops inspiring young men and Subhas Chandra Bose realized that all resources of the women to do their duty in their critical hour etc. three million Indians in East Asia, must be mobilized for the

purpose. He made it clear that this was to be no halfhearted It was with this view that Indian women began to take part attempt and the INA was to be no puppet or token army. It was in the movement. In March 1943, a Women's section of IIL was to be a mass movement of the three million Indians in East formally inaugurated. All the branches of the IIL throughout

Asia, a movement in which every man, woman and child dollars. Total contribution from Malaya were about Rs. 5 contributed their utmost. The entire movement was to be crores, from Burma 15 crores and from Thailand 1½ crores.15 financed and supported by Indians in East Asia. A prominent among the donars was Habib who contributed over a crore of rupees and three lakhs of rupees in jewelery, To mobilize the support, S.C. Bose said, "Friends! Let the cash and property at one time. It was a unique occasion when slogan of the three million Indians in East Asia be 'Total he donated this fortune. S.C. Bose awarded him with the Mobilization for a Total war'. Out of this total mobilization, I medal of Sevak-i-Hind in July 1944. He was the first to receive expect at least three hundred thousands soldiers and thirty it. Smt. Betai of Rangoon gave all her cash and ornaments million dollars...... These are many who will say that if 388 worth about Rs. 50 lakhs. She also awarded 'Sevake-i-Hind' millions of Indians can not drive away the British from India, medal. B. Ghosh of Rangoon and Kiamal of Saigoan donated then how will only 3 millions of Indian be able to do so? But Rs. 5 lakhs and Rs. 7 Lakhs respectively. Messrs. Gian Singh friends! look at the history of Ireland. If three million Irishmen and Co. of Singapore donated 10 lakh dollars. Bhagwan practically living under martial law could bring down the British Singh, Gian Singh Co. of Kuala Lumpur gave 10 lakh dollars. Government to its knees in 1921 with the help of only five Lala Jagat Ram, Boor Singh, Inder Singh, Gian Singh and thousand armed Sinn Fein volunteers, then why should not 3 Nand Singh all from Bankok gave so large donation amounting million Indians hope to be able to drive away the British when 12 lakh to Netaji Fund.16 Iqbal Singh Narula gave 200Ibs of there is a strong movement going on in India? But the fact is Silver (equal to Netaji's weight) for the INA. that for this the Indians living abroad, particularly those living in South-east Asia, will have to devote all their energies……. The Another huge donation was made by Punjabi young man duty of the Provisional Government will be to mobilize all on the occasion of the Independence Day Celebrations on resources of the Indian people end fight against the British January 26, 1944 in Rangoon. The story runs: "At the Army in India...... beginning of the meeting Netaji was garlanded. He had wound the garland of flowers round his hand as he spoke. When he Friends! You must realize that time has come for the finished his stirring speech, enthusiasm was at fever heat. mobilization of men and money of the three million Indians of Then an idea struck him. He asked, if any body was ready to South-east Asia. You cannot work unless you put your heart buy the garland: the money he would receive, would go to the and soul into it. I want total mobilization of men and money. Fauj Funds." Nothing short of that will do, for we have heard all along, and our enemies have also proclaimed, that this war is the total A young Punjabi youth had been the first bidder. When the war..... figure reached four and quarter, he shouted five. When the final bid of seven lakhs was being announced, he looked vexed We have heard for a long time of the formation of a and intent on an inner struggle. As the garland was about to be second front in Europe. But our countrymen at home, too, are declared sold, he jumped up and rushed to the dais 'I give all being hard pressed, and they are demanding a second front. my wealth-all that I have-every pie that I own‟ he shouted. S.C. Give me total mobilization in East Asia and I promise you a Bose caught the trembling youth by both his hands. He said, second front, a real second front for the Indian struggle."12 "Done-the garland is yours. Patriolotic like you deserve the crown of glory, our Fauj shall win."17 Netaji Fund Committee was advised to exert their full efforts to obtain donations and contributions. This committee Under the Ministry of Finance, a Board of Management for maintained an up-to-date record of the assets of all the raising funds for the Provisional Government of Free India was merchants and wealthy men. Such persons were first asked to established in Singapore as Headquarters.18 It undertook to donate voluntarily and if they were reluctant or miserly in manage or dispose of movable as well as immovable property making donations, indirect pressure was applied to make them donated to the Provisional Government. It issued Savings disgorge at least 25% of their total assets.13 S.C. Bose Deposit Certificates for amounts deposited with the Board addressed a meeting of Indian merchants at Singapore on 25 which were to be paid within three years after the conclusion of October 1943 and asked for Total Mobilization and said “poor the war to the payee, either at the place of the deposit or in people came to me, and not only did they give all the cash they India as the Government decided. The Board of Management had in their pockets but went further and give me their „savings was constituted of representatives from different countries in bank books‟ which represents their lives‟ savings.”14 S.C. Bose East Asia excluding Burma. Malaya itself was divided into proposed them to do the same thing. The speech had desired different regions in order that the collection might be as effects. As result of this appeal many came pouring in from all intensive as possible. The Board of Management co-operated directions. with the League authorities who thereupon established a special department for the collection of funds. Periodical tours Large number of people were motivated and mobilized for were undertaken by the members of the Board to visit areas the cause. A numbers of Indians gave all their property and where the work of collection lagged behind. Such visits greatly cash for the furtherance of the cause of India's Freedom. Quite strengthened the hands of the local league members in raising a number of people became total mobilizators. The report of funds. The Minister of Finance, who was also the Chairman of the IIL Malaya Branch published at the end of 1943 reveals the Board, concurrently held the position of Secretary of the that collections from Malaya only amounted to 77,27,947 Finance Department of the Indian Independence League dollars in cash, besides 86,310 dollar's worth articles of gold Headquarters, Singapore. This arrangement was very helpful jewellery. In July 1944 this amount had gone up to 1,53,54,104 as it greatly strengthened the drive for collection of funds,

RRIJM 2015, All Rights Reserved 900 | Page Volume-03, Issue-12, December -2018 RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary smoothed the working of the executive machinery and was Day on the 21st of October and on the 21st of each month, also economical under the circumstances. The Finance Independence Day on the 26th January, Gandhiji's Birthday, Department of the League Headquarters was greatly Declaration on the Greater East Asia War etc. The Provisional strengthened. Account and Audit Branches were started and Government took over the Broadcasting Stations in Singapore consolidated. Systematic audit of the different Branches was and subsequently those at Saigon, Bangkok and Rangoon and undertaken. Numerous donations received in kind, such as even started one in Tokyo21 where special arrangements for in gold ornaments, silver articles, watches, rings, etc., were kept American programme was made in 1944. This intensive in safe custody. In order that the receipt for safe custody for propaganda and publicity work aroused the public spirit and the amounts deposited could not be forged easily, receipt brought before them forcefully the significance of the forms were specially printed with the Tricolour as the water Independence Movement. marks. In February 1944, the Azad Hind Dal was formed in The Ministry of Supplies disclosed that there was Rangoon. On the opening day, Subhas Chandra Bose said: acuteness of the clothing in the INA. To solve the problem, it "We have need for a large number of Civilian Workers who will was decided to launch a campaign called "Clothe Your Army", be necessary for re-construction of LIBERATED AREAS. I to obtain cloth from the public. A civilian Sohan Singh was want every variety of civilian Workers, Doctors, Engineers, appointed the co-coordinator of the campaingn.19 He fixed the Administrators, Teachers, Skilled Artisans, Labourers, etc."22 scale of donation at 1 yard cloth for civilian. He himself The formation of the Azad Hind Dal was one of the most donated yards of cloth to the INA. By this method more than important step taken by Subhas Chandra Bose to infuse a 50,000 yards of cloth was collected in Rangoon area alone. more patriotic spirit in the Indians and thereby to achieve a The campaign on the whole was very successful. successful revolution. "The Dal was the steel structure on which the Government and the State was to be built." There All over East Asia, men and women came forward and were civilian training centres at Singapore and Rangoon where gave up all their belongings for the Indian independence training was given in the civil administration for managing the movement. S.C. Bose prepared a mobilization of Indian territories liberated by the Indian National Army. The major resources, for he would not accept an object dependence on training centres were Azad Hind Fauj Training Camp, Azad the Japanese for everything for the INA's move forward to the School(Singapore), Fields Propaganda Unit (Rangoon), Indo-Burma front. He was, as Ayer points our "dead set against Officers Training School (Rangoon) etc. Besides this about 50 looking to the Japanese for men, money, except of course the young men were sent to Tokyo as cadets to be trained in Navy war materials which the Provisional Government of Azad Hind and Air Force. The main object of the training centres was to has no means of manufacturing in East Asia."20 Subhas train the maximum numbers of able-bodied Indians in East Chandra Bose appointed Col. Ehsan Qadir to mobilize Indian Asia as revolutionary soldiers and free citizens. During the men power in order to employ it in the best possible manner for period no one was allowed to leave the training centres. India's freedom. Man and women, young and old, rich and poor Intensive physical and spiritual training was provided. There Indians from all provinces contributed their utmost. was prescribed syllabus for trainees. All soldiers, officers and civilians were treated on the same footing irrespective of caste, To mobilize the support to movement propaganda work color and creed. They ate from one kitchen. There was total might be carried out in South East Asia. A large number of communal harmony. special leaflets, pamphlets and posters were prepared under the direction of the Publicity and Propaganda Department of With the formation of the Provisional Government of Azad the Provisional Government of Free India in different Hind, mobilisation of the Indian communities for armed struggle languages in order to be made full use of in the impending was stepped up. Many Indian civilians from Malaya, Thailand, campaign for the liberation of India. The Government also Burma and Japan responded enthusiastically. They contributed decided that the 21st of each month would be observed by all money and gold generously to the INA Fund. The gold came Indians of East and South-east Asia as the Provisional mostly from women who readily gave up their jewellery while Government of Free India Day, and celebrated in a befitting wealthy Indian families donated large sums of money after manner. On this day every householder was to hoist the attending Bose‟s rallies and meetings. Other forms of National flag; public meetings were to be held; prayers were to contributions included clothing, foodstuffs and other supplies be offered in places of worship; processions were to be taken that the INA could use... S.C. Bose received overwhelming out in the town etc. In order to secure the efficient production support from Indians in South East Asia. With the mobilization and distribution of the different newspapers printed under the campaign the INA solved the financial problem, which it was guidance of the Ministry, the requisite staff was augmented in facing since 1942. The preparatory stage in the INA‟ career the offices of these newspapers. The Ministry took special seemed to be over. With the mobilized sources S.C. Bose led measures to inform and guide the respective publicity and the war of liberation against the British at Indo-Burma front. Propaganda Branches of the Indian Independence League Although Indian under the leadership of S.C. Bose failed to located in the different countries of East and South-East Asia. achieve the objective, but the deeds of the INA men In addition to the leaflets etc, special message were sent to contributed to weaken the British empire in India. different branches of the Indian Independence Leagues on special occasions of national or international importance, such as, observance of the Provisional Government of Free India

References

1. Young India, Published by Indian Independence League, 12. Indian National Army File No. 253 (National Archives of Singapore, 3 July 1944. India). 2. Giani K.S., Independence Movement in East Asia, Singh 13. Ibid. Brothers, Lahore, 1947 pp. 76-78. 14. Giani K.S., op.cit., p 104. 3. Indian National Army File No. 265 (National Archives of 15. Indian National Army File No. 253 (National Archives of India). India). 4. Ibid. 16. K.S. Giani, op.cit., pp. 97-102 5. The Tribune, Lahore, 7 March, 1946. 17. Jhaveri, V.K. and Batliwala S.S. (ed.) Jai Hind – A diary of a 6. K.S. Giani, op.cit., p.81. Rebel Daughter of India with the Rani Jhansi Regiment, 7. Syonam Shimbun, (A Newspaper published from Bombay, 1945, p.81. Singapore), 23 October, 1943. 18. Chatterji A.C., op.cit., p.153. 8. Chatterji A.C., India's Struggle for Freedom, Chuckervertty 19. Indian National Army File No. 265 (National Archives of Chatterji & Co. Ltd. Calcutta, 1947. p.123. India). 9. Ibid. 20. Ayer S.A., Unto Him a Witness: The story of Netaji Subhas 10. Usha Bala, Indian Women Freedom Fighter, 1857-1947, Chandra Bose in East Asia, Thacker, Bombay, 1951.p.72 Manohar S., New Delhi, 1986, p.67. 21. Chatterji A.C., op.cit., p.155. 11. Indian National Army File No. 265 (National Archives of 22. Indian National Army File No. 141 (National Archives of India). India).