On this day, 21st October: Subhas Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Government in Singapore

On October 21, 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose established the Azad Hind Government in Singapore with the goal of securing India's independence from British colonial rule. The government-in-exile was a symbolic move to assert India's sovereignty and was supported by countries like Japan and Germany during World War II. Bose was named the head of state, prime minister, and commander-in-chief of the Indian National Army (INA). The INA, composed largely of Indian soldiers captured by Japan, fought alongside Axis forces, particularly in the Burma and Imphal campaigns.

Although the Azad Hind Government was not recognized by many major Allied powers, it gained support from several Axis-aligned nations, including Japan, Italy, and Germany. Bose envisioned the INA's efforts as a key military force that would spark a mass uprising in India against the British Raj.

The Azad Hind Government issued its own currency, stamps, and civil code, symbolizing its independence and legitimacy. The INA fought bravely, notably in the Battle of Imphal and Battle of Kohima. Though these battles ultimately resulted in defeat for the INA, Bose's efforts significantly influenced the broader Indian independence movement.

Bose's creation of the Azad Hind Government and his leadership of the INA inspired nationalist sentiment across India. While the government did not directly lead to India's independence, its actions helped fuel the movement, and the INA's efforts are remembered as part of the fight against British colonialism.