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?

(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.