The British colonial rule in India reached a critical juncture between 1945 and 1946 when they publicly tried members of the Indian National Army (INA) at the Red Fort in Delhi. These trials accused the officers, including Col Prem Sahgal, Major Gen Shah Nawaz Khan, and Col Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, of waging war against the King-Emperor. Initially taken as prisoners of war, these officers later joined the INA to fight for India's liberation.
The trial of the INA officers sparked widespread discontent among the armed forces and the general public. It underscored the British oppression and galvanized Indian unity against colonial rule. This growing sentiment was further intensified by the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) mutiny, which erupted on February 18, 1946.
The RIN mutiny spread across more than 70 ships, where Indian sailors symbolically lowered the British flag and raised flags of the Indian National Congress, the Muslim League, and the Communist Party. The demand for independence resonated loudly through the streets of Bombay, with both sailors and the public rallying behind the cause.
Tragically, around 220 individuals lost their lives, and approximately 1,000 were injured during the unrest, particularly due to police firing. This mutiny was soon followed by rebellions within the Royal Indian Air Force and certain Army units, signaling a growing dissatisfaction within the Indian armed forces.
The British authorities recognized that their control over the Indian armed forces was rapidly waning. The series of mutinies and uprisings, combined with the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and the relentless efforts of the INA, compelled them to expedite the process of granting independence to India. The aftermath of World War II had severely depleted Britain's resources, finances, and manpower, leaving its economy in a vulnerable state.
Consequently, British Prime Minister Clement Attlee found himself with little choice but to approve the decision to grant independence to India. The events of 1945-46, particularly the activities of the INA and the widespread mutinies, were pivotal in hastening the exit of British colonial power from India.
The INA, under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose, had instilled a sense of disloyalty to the Crown within the Indian armed forces, creating a crucial impetus for India's quest for independence. Their collaboration with Indian soldiers, former prisoners of war, expatriates, and even Japanese allies—most notably the formation of the Jhansi Ki Rani Regiment for women, led by Lakshmi Sahgal—illustrated the determination and unity of Indians against British colonial rule.
Q1. What was the significance of the INA trials at the Red Fort?
Answer: The INA trials highlighted British oppression and united Indians against colonial rule, fostering a strong desire for independence among the people and the armed forces.
Q2. How did the RIN mutiny influence the independence movement?
Answer: The RIN mutiny galvanized support for independence, showcasing the discontent within the armed forces and leading to widespread uprisings that pressured the British to expedite the independence process.
Q3. Who were the key figures in the Indian National Army?
Answer: Key figures included Subhas Chandra Bose, Col Prem Sahgal, Major Gen Shah Nawaz Khan, and Col Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, who played pivotal roles in the struggle for India's freedom.
Q4. What role did World War II play in India's independence?
Answer: World War II exhausted British resources and weakened their control over India, making it increasingly difficult for them to maintain colonial rule amid growing unrest and demands for independence.
Q5. What was the Jhansi Ki Rani Regiment?
Answer: The Jhansi Ki Rani Regiment was a women's regiment formed by the INA, led by Lakshmi Sahgal, symbolizing women's active participation in the freedom struggle against British rule.
Question 1: What event marked a turning point in the British colonial rule in India?
A) The First World War
B) The INA trials at the Red Fort
C) The Jallianwala Bagh massacre
D) The Quit India Movement
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: The RIN mutiny occurred in which year?
A) 1942
B) 1946
C) 1945
D) 1947
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: Who led the Indian National Army?
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Bhagat Singh
C) Subhas Chandra Bose
D) Jawaharlal Nehru
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: What was a significant outcome of the INA trials?
A) Strengthening British control
B) Widespread public discontent
C) Immediate independence
D) Formation of the Congress Party
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: Which regiment was formed for women in the INA?
A) Rani of Jhansi Brigade
B) Women’s Indian Association
C) Jhansi Ki Rani Regiment
D) National Women's Force
Correct Answer: C
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