INDIAN NATIONAL ARMY AND THE IMPHAL CAMPAIGN 1944

Author Name: 1. Salima

Volume/Issue: 06/11

Country: India

DOI NO.: 08.2020-25662434 DOI Link: https://doi-ds.org/doilink/04.2026-53544618/UIJIR

Affiliation:

1. Research Scholar, Centre of Advance Study, Department of History, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P., India.

ABSTRACT

During the Second World War, the Japanese Fifteenth Army, with the support of the Indian National Army (INA), advanced towards India’s eastern frontier. The Japanese objective was primarily defensive to prevent a possible British invasion of Burma whereas the INA sought the liberation of India from British colonial rule. Their strategy focused on capturing Imphal, severing its main supply route at Kohima, and subsequently advancing towards Dimapur, a vital logistical centre connected by rail to Ledo, through which the Americans supplied China. The Indo-Japanese forces moved towards Imphal along three principal routes and engaged British forces in what came to be known as the Battles of Imphal and Kohima. The INA participated in these operations mainly through its 1st Division, commanded by Colonel Mohammad Zaman Kiani, along with Special Groups. The 1st Division was organized into three brigades, named after Gandhi, Nehru, and Azad. From the most capable soldiers of these units, the Subhas Brigade was formed. They were assigned for sabotage and guerrilla operations. While the Special group attached with each Japanese division was to assist these operations in espionage and propaganda. This article analyses the role and contribution of the Indian National Army in the battles that constituted the Imphal Campaign.

Key words: INA, Japanese, Imphal, Battle, Brigade