Azad Hind Government

Azad Hind Government was founded in Singapore on October 21, 1943.

It was India’s first independent government established by Indian nationalists-in-exile during later part of WWII in Singapore with monetary, military and political assistance from Imperial Japan.

It was a part of political freedom movement originating in 1940s outside India with purpose of allying with Axis powers during Second World War (WWII) to free India from British Rule.

It was inspired by ideas of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who was leader of Azad Hind Government and also Head of State of this Government-in-exile.

This government was recognized by the countries such as Germany, Japan, Philippines, Korea, China, Italy and Ireland.

Japan provided the Andaman and Nicobar islands to this temporary government, later these islands were renamed Shaheed Island (Andaman) and Swaraj Island (Nicobar).

It was also having its armed force Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army (INA), whose purpose was to free India from British control.

Subhash Chandra Bose was the supreme commander of this army.

Ras Bihari Bose had played important role in its establishment.

This force had played crucial role in bequeathing a much needed impetus to India’s struggle for Independence.

It had proclaimed authority over Indian civilian and military personnel in Southeast Asian British colonial territory and prospective authority over Indian territory to fall to Japanese forces and INA during Japanese thrust towards India during WWII. This government had its own currency, court and civil code.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose gave a famous slogan Delhi Chalo (Come to Delhi) after formation of this government.

Azad Hind Fauj along with this slogan reached India on March 21, 1944.

Why in News? A senior member of a political party has asked the Union government to recognise Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as the first Prime Minister of the country as he headed the Provisional Government of Free India formed in October 1943.