Transfer of Power: The INA Trial and the Indian Armed Forces

Last days of India‟s freedom struggle had many distinct features leading to the transfer of power. Among the more important of them was the trial of INA personnel who had fought against the British under Subhas Chandra Bose in East Asia with the object of achieving the Indian independence. In this trial the far-reaching and novel aspect was the national upsurge for the release of INA personnel, which directly challenged the legitimacy of the British rule. The revolutionary sentiments created by the INA issue swept the country and penetrated into the armed forces. The spirit of nationalism roused by the INA trial inspired the defence forces. The INA trial was instrumental in helping the transformation of the Indian armed forces during 1945 46 from a mercenary to a national force. This new consciousness led them to react more actively to the outstanding political issue of the country.