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Indian Army
The Indian Army was the principal army of India before independence from the United Kingdom in 1947. It was responsible for the defence of both British India and the Princely states, which could also have their own armies. The Indian Army was an important part of the British Empire's forces, both in India and abroad, particularly during the First World War and the Second World War. -
India during World War II
At the time of World War II, India was under the British rule. British India officially declared war on Nazi Germany in September 1939. Britain, a part of the Allied Nations, sent over two and a half million indian volunteer soldiers to fight under British command against the Axis powers. -
The Middle East and African theatre
The British government meanwhile sent Indian troops to fight in West Asia and northern Africa against the Axis. India also geared up to produce essential goods such as food and uniforms. Pre-Independence India provided the largest volunteer force (2.5 million) of any nation during World War II. -
Bengal Famine of 1940-43
The Bengal famine of 1943 struck the Bengal Province of pre-partition British India during World War II following the Japanese occupation of Burma. Approximately 3 million people died due to famine. Generally it is thought that there was a serious decrease in food production during that time, coupled with Bengal's continuing export of grain.The famine caused major economic and social disruption, ruining millions of families. -
About INA
The Indian National Army was formed first by Mohan Singh Deb. Later, after it was reorganized under Subhas Chandra Bose, it drew civilian volunteers from Malaya and Burma. Ultimately, a force of under 40,000 was formed. Intelligence and special services groups from the INA were instrumental in destabilizing the British Indian Army. It was during this time that the British Military Intelligence began propaganda work to shield the true numbers who joined the INA. -
Bharat Chodo or Quit India Movement
On 8 August 1942 at the All-India Congress Committee, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi launched the 'Quit India' movement. The next day, Gandhi, Nehru and many other leaders of the Indian National Congress were arrested by the British Government. Disorderly and non-violent demonstrations took place throughout the country. By the end of the Second World War, Britain's place in the world had changed dramatically -
South-East Asian theatre
The British Indian Army was the key British Empire fighting presence in the Burma Campaign. The Royal Indian Air force's first assault mission was carried out against Japanese troops stationed in Burma. The British Indian Army was key to breaking the siege of Imphal when the westward advance of Imperial Japan came to a halt. -
The invasion of Italy
Indian forces played a role in liberating Italy from Nazi control. India contributed the 3rd largest Allied contingent in the Italian campaign after US and British forces. The 4th, 8th and 10th Divisions and 43rd Gurkha Infantry Brigade led the advance, notably at the gruelling Battle of Monte Cassino. The fought on the Gothic Line in 1944 and 1945. -
Collaboration with the Axis powers
Subhas Chandra Bose, once a prominent leader of Congress, volunteered to help Germany and Japan; he said Britain's opposition to Nazism and Fascism as "hypocrisy" since it was itself violating human rights and denying individual liberties in India. Moreover, he argued that it was not Germany and Japan but the British Raj which was the enemy, since the British were over-exploiting Indian resources for War purposes. -
More about this war
Indians fought with distinction throughout the world, including in the European theaters of Germany and Italy, the north African deserts against Rommel, in the West African campaign, in the South Asian region defending India against the Japanese, and in the Southeast Asia region fighting the Japanese in Burma. Indians also aided in liberating British colonies such as Singapore and Hong Kong after the Japanese surrender in August 1945. Over 87,000 Indian soldiers died in this War -
After World War 2
At the height of the World War, more than 2.5 million Indian troops were fighting Axis forces around the globe. After the end of the World War, India emerged as the world's fourth largest industrial power and its increased political, economic and military influence paved the way for its independence from the United Kingdom in 1947.
