Forward Bloc and The INA

Class 10 - Total History & Civics Solutions

Question 1

Why did Subhas Chandra Bose resign from the Congress Presidentship?

Answer

Pant, Patel and some other members of the All-India Congress Committee wanted that
Subhas should constitute his working committee in accordance with the wishes of
Mahatma Gandhi. However, Mahatma Gandhi refused to suggest any name. As a result,
Bose resigned from the chairmanship of the party on 29 April, 1939.

Question 2

Name the Party formed by Subhas Chandra Bose in May 1939. What was Forward Bloc's
programme for rebuilding India?

Answer

The Party formed by Subhas Chandra Bose in May 1939 was known as Forward Bloc.

Forward Bloc's immediate objective was liberation of India with the support of workers,
peasants, youth and other organisations.

After attaining independence, Forward Bloc would work for the establishment of a
Socialist State through:

1. Reorganisation of agriculture and industry on socialist lines;

Question 3

Why did Rashbehari Bose organise the Indian Independence League? Who was the first
Commander-in-Chief of the Indian National Army?

Answer

Rashbehari Bose organised the Indian Independence League to form an association with
the objective of contributing to the liberation of India and serving the interests of the
overseas Indians during the critical period.

Mohan Singh was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian National Army.
Question 4

Name the two slogans which became the war cry of the INA. Which islands were
renamed as 'Shahid' and 'Swaraj'?

Answer

The two slogans which became the war cry of the INA were 'Delhi Chalo' and 'Jai Hind'.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands were renamed as 'Shahid' and 'Swaraj'.

Question 5

Why couldn't the Indian National Army capture Imphal?

Answer

The Indian National Army was three kilometres from Imphal when the Japanese forces
had to withdraw from the Indo-Burma border because of their entanglement with the
Americans in the Pacific Ocean. The rainy season set in and Rangoon was recaptured by
the British in May, 1945. The INA soldiers were disarmed and made prisoners of war.
Hence, INA couldn't capture Imphal.

Question 6

Mention two contributions of Subhas Chandra Bose to India's freedom struggle.

Answer

Two contributions of Subhas Chandra Bose to India's freedom struggle were-

1. He led the freedom struggle outside India as the supreme Commander of the INA.
He set up the Provisional Government of Free India in Singapore.
2. He declared war on Britain and the USA and acquired its first stretch of territory in
India when Japan handed over Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Structured Questions

Question 1

In 1939, Subhas Chandra Bose formed the Forward Bloc. In this context, answer the
following questions:

(a) Why did Subhas Chandra Bose decide to form a new party?

(b) What were the aims and objectives of the new party formed by Subhas Chandra
Bose?

(c) Mention two main objectives of the Provisional Government of Free India. Name any
two countries that recognised the Provisional Government of India formed in Singapore
in 1943.
Answer

(a) Bose felt the urgent need for an organised left-wing party in the Congress. After
resigning from the Presidentship of the Congress in 1939, he laid the foundation of a new
party within the Congress, to bring the entire left wing under one banner. This party,
known as Forward Bloc, was formed on May 3, 1939

(b) Forward Bloc's immediate objective was liberation of India with the support of
workers, peasants, youth and other organisations.

After attaining independence, Forward Bloc would work for the establishment of a
Socialist State through:

1. Reorganisation of agriculture and industry on socialist lines

(c) Two main objectives of the Provisional Government of Free India were-

1. The major task of thc Provisional Government was to launch and conduct the
struggle that will bring about the expulsion of the British and their allies from the
Indian soil.
2. Another important task assigned to the Provisional government was to establish a
permanent national government of Azad Hind.

Two countries that recognised the Provisional Government of India formed in Singapore
in 1943 were Japan and Germany.

Question 2

As the Supreme Commander of the INA Subhas Chandra Bose inspired, from outside the
country, many in his homeland. In this context, answer the following questions:

(a) How can you say that the INA was a unique army?

(b) What were the main objectives of the INA?

(c) What were the achievements of the INA?

Answer

(a) The INA was unique in its own way and unlike many other armies engaged in the
global war.

1. It was an army organised on foreign soil, hundreds of kilometres away from its
motherland.
2. It was dependent on foreign powers for planes, tanks, artillery, rifles, ammunition
and even lorries for the transport of soldiers to the front.
3. It depended upon the patriotic fervour of its nationals scattered over East Asia,
from Myanmar to Japan, for men, money, clothing, food and other civilian supplies.
 4. However, its greatest asset was the spirit of self-sacrifice of the men who
enthusiastically volunteered to lay down their lives.

(b) The main objectives of the INA were as follows-

1. To organise an armed revolution and to fight the British army with modern arms.
2. Since it was not possible for the Indians to organise an armed revolution from their
homeland, this task must be assigned to the Indians living abroad, particularly on
Indians living in East Asia.
3. To organise a provisional government of Free India in order to mobilise all the
forces effectively.
4. Total mobilisation of Indian man-power and money for a total war.
5. The motto of the INA was 'unity, faith, sacrifice'.

(c) The achievements of the INA were as follows-

1. The INA made preparations to launch its fight for the liberation of India and went
into action in February 1944.
2. INA captured Mowdok, an outpost situated south-east of Chittagong and advanced
up to the frontier of India.
3. They captured the strong military post of Klang Klang.
4. The INA gave a tough fight to the British forces in the Assam hills and succeeded in
capturing Ukhral and Kohima.
5. They raised the Tricolour Flag for the first time on the liberated Indian soil on
March 19, 1944.

Picture Study

Question 1

Study the picture and answer the following questions:

(b) What were the objectives of this army? Did it achieve its objectives?

(c) Mention this army's contribution to the India's freedom struggle.

Answer

(a) The person in the picture is Subhas Chandra Bose.

He organised the Indian National Army.

1. Indian Prisoners of War (POW's) were handed over by the Japanese to Mohan Singh
who inducted them into the INA.
2. The fall of Singapore was crucial, for this brought 45,000 Indian POW's into Mohan
Singh's sphere of influence.
3. By the end of 1942, forty thousand men expressed their willingness to join the INA.

(b) The main objectives of the INA were as follows-

1. To organise an armed revolution and to fight the British army with modern arms.
2. Since it was not possible for the Indians to organise an armed revolution from their
homeland, this task must be assigned to the Indians living abroad, particularly on
Indians living in East Asia.
3. To organise a provisional government of Free India in order to mobilise all the
forces effectively.
4. Total mobilisation of Indian man-power and money for a total war.
5. The motto of the INA was 'unity, faith, sacrifice'.

Yes, the INA achieved its objectives to some extent.

(c) The Indian National Army's contribution to the India's freedom struggle is as follows-

1. The Revolt of 1942 and the INA had revealed the heroism of the Indians.
2. With the end of the Second World War and release of the national leaders from jail,
the people began to look forward to another, perhaps the final struggle for
freedom.
3. The INA inspired uprisings in the armed forces of the country.
4. The Indian Naval ratings in Mumbai rose in revolt in February 1946. Similar
uprisings took place at Kolkata, Chennai and Karachi. These naval revolts shook
the foundation of the British Empire.
5. Demonstrations demanding the release of INA officers were held all over the
country.
6. The British Government was at that time in no position to ignore Indian opinion.
7. Even though the court-martial held the INA prisoners guilty, the Government had
to set them free.
8. The INA set an inspiring example of patriotism.
9. The heroic deeds and sacrifices of the soldiers of INA led to political consciousness
among the Indian forces.
10. The British now realised that they could not rely on the Indian forces to
continue their rule in India.

Thinking Skills

Question 1
Do you think Subhas Chandra Bose set an inspiring example of patriotism? Give
examples to support your answer.

Answer

Yes, Subhas Chandra Bose set an inspiring example of patriotism in the following ways:

1. Subhas Chandra Bose travelled from country to country with great difficulty
enduring a lot of hardships to gather international support for Indian freedom
struggle.
2. Subhas Chandra Bose started the armed revolution for the liberation of India
through Indian National Army (INA). This infused courage and confidence in the
hearts of freedom fighters.
3. Even though the court-martial of the INA officers held them guilty, British
Government had to set them free due to the demonstrations held all over the
country.
4. The INA inspired uprisings in the armed forces of the country. The Indian Navy rose
in revolt which shook the foundations of the British Empire.
5. The British realised that they could not rely on the Indian forces to continue their
rule in India.

Question 2

The India National Army built by Subhas Chandra Bose was far ahead of its time. Discuss.

Answer

It is true that the India National Army built by Subhas Chandra Bose was far ahead of its
time. It was an army organised on foreign soil, hundreds of kilometres away from its
motherland. It depended upon the patriotic fervour of its nationals scattered over East
Asia, from Myanmar to Japan, for men, money, clothing, food and other civilian supplies.
However, its greatest asset was the spirit of self-sacrifice of the men who enthusiastically
volunteered to lay down their lives.