The Indian National Army trials of 1945-46 have generally been given short shrift by historians in their cataloguing of the Indian freedom movement. This book examines to what extent the trials had an impact on the final phase of India's quest for independence.
The Indian National Army (INA) trials of 194546 have generally been given short shrift by historians in their cataloguing of the Indian freedom movement. This book examines to what extent the trials had an impact on the final phase of Indias quest for independence. In so doing, it unveils that, while the Indian National Congresss extended odyssey to win independence was essentially about a passive push-back, at a critical juncture of its campaign to extinguish British colonialism in India, it applauded and capitalised on the INAs use of force. The central, explosive narrative is about Britain holding a court martial of three officers of the INA Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Sahgal and Gurbaksh Dhillon convicting them, before a dramatic turn in events.
The material unearthed by the book throws new light on a decisive juncture leading to the transfer of power in India. It will be indispensable for researchers interested in South Asia, especially the Indian freedom movement. It will be invaluable for students of history, colonialism, military studies, politics in pre-Partition India and law.
List of Figures x
Profiles xi
Preface xiv
1 Violence against British Rule in 19th- and 20th-Century India 1
2 The Indian National Army 17
3 The Trial that Shook Britain 49
4 Repercussions of the Indian National Army Trial: Part I 86
Public Protest 86
4 Repercussions of the Indian National Army Trial: Part II 113
The Naval Mutiny 113
5 Acceptance of Independence Hastened 140
Countdown to a Concession 149
Glossary 151
Bibliography 153
Index 156
Ashis Ray has been a foreign correspondent since 1977, broadcasting on BBC, CNN and ITN and writing for Ananda Bazar Group, The Times of India, The Tribune, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, The Guardian, The Observer, The Times, Financial Times and Nikkei Asia, among other publications. He was CNNs founding South Asia bureau chief before becoming the networks editor-at-large. He has been elected president of Indian Journalists Association (Europe) for several terms. In 1982, the Commonwealth Institute selected him among 10 eminent Indians in Britain. In 1995, he was conferred a National Press Award in India. He was made an academic visitor by St Antonys College, Oxford for 202122. He intends to continue in academia. The Trial that Shook Britain is his fourth book.
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