Forward Bloc and the INA
ICSE Class 10 · History & Civics · Chapter 14
What this chapter covers
- Subhas Chandra Bose and the road to the Forward Bloc
- The formation of the Forward Bloc
- Objectives of the Forward Bloc
- Bose's escape from India
- The Indian National Army: its founding
- Subhas Chandra Bose takes command of the INA
- Objectives of the INA
- The Provisional Government of Free India
- The INA in action
- The INA trials
- Contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose
Key points
- Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from the ICS in 1921, became Congress President at Haripura in 1938, and was re-elected in 1939 against Gandhi's candidate, Pattabhi Sitaramayya.
- After the Tripuri crisis, Bose resigned the Presidency in April 1939 and formed the Forward Bloc on 3 May 1939.
- The Forward Bloc aimed to unite all radical elements in the Congress, win complete independence through an uncompromising struggle, abolish landlordism and reorganise India on socialist lines.
- Bose escaped from house arrest in January 1941 and went to Germany, where he set up the Free India Centre and Azad Hind Radio and was first called Netaji.
- The INA was founded by Captain Mohan Singh in 1942 from Indian prisoners of war in South-East Asia, with the support of Rash Behari Bose's Indian Independence League.
- Subhas Chandra Bose took command of the INA on 25 August 1943 and reorganised it, adding civilians, brigades named after national leaders and the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.
- The objectives of the INA were to free India by armed struggle, organise Indians in East Asia, set up a provisional government and build unity among all Indians.
- The Provisional Government of Free India was formed in Singapore on 21 October 1943; Bose hoisted the national flag at Port Blair on 30 December 1943.
- The INA fought at Imphal and Kohima in 1944 and hoisted the flag at Moirang, but the campaign failed because of the monsoon, lack of supplies and air support, and Japan's defeat.
- The Red Fort trials of 1945 united the country, shook the loyalty of the armed forces, led to the naval mutiny of 1946 and hastened the British decision to leave India.
- Bose's slogans "Jai Hind", "Dilli Chalo" and "Give me blood and I will give you freedom" remain part of India's national memory.
Questions answered
Who was elected President of the Congress at the Haripura session of 1938, and whom did he defeat in the presidential election of 1939?
Subhas Chandra Bose was elected President at Haripura in 1938. In January 1939 he defeated Dr Pattabhi Sitaramayya, who was supported by Gandhi.
What was the Pant resolution passed at the Tripuri session, and what was its result?
The Pant resolution asked the Congress President to form his Working Committee in accordance with Gandhi's wishes. Bose and Gandhi could not agree, so Bose resigned the Presidency in April 1939.
When was the Forward Bloc formed, and by whom?
Subhas Chandra Bose formed the Forward Bloc on 3 May 1939.
State four objectives of the Forward Bloc.
To unite all radical and leftist elements within the Congress; to win complete independence through an uncompromising struggle against imperialism; to abolish landlordism and organise peasants and workers; and to reorganise Indian society and economy on socialist lines after freedom.
How did Bose escape from India in 1941?
On the night of 16–17 January 1941 he escaped from house arrest in Calcutta disguised as a Pathan named Mohammed Ziauddin. He travelled to Peshawar, crossed into Afghanistan, and went through the Soviet Union to Berlin.
Name the founder of the Indian National Army. Who was Rash Behari Bose?
Captain Mohan Singh founded the INA in 1942. Rash Behari Bose was an Indian revolutionary living in Japan who led the Indian Independence League, which decided to raise the INA at its Bangkok conference in June 1942.
When did Subhas Chandra Bose become Supreme Commander of the INA?
On 25 August 1943, after reaching Singapore in July 1943.
State any four objectives of the INA.
To free India from British rule by an armed struggle; to organise Indians in East Asia for this cause; to set up a provisional government of free India; and to build unity among Indians of all religions and regions.
Past board exam questions
ICSE 2027 sample paper · 1 mark
Connect the information given below and identify X. (Two overlapping circles: the left circle is labelled 'Forward Bloc', the right circle is labelled 'Delhi Chalo!', and X is in the overlapping part common to both.)
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Subhash Chandra Bose
- Bipin Chandra Pal
- Jawaharlal Nehru
Show answer
Subhash Chandra Bose
ICSE 2026 board paper · 2 marks
Imagine you were part of the Indian National Army. Mention any two objectives of the army.
Show answer
1. To organise an armed struggle and fight the British army to liberate India from British rule.
2. To organise Indians living abroad (and Indian prisoners of war) and set up a Provisional Government of Free India that would form a free government after independence.
(Also: to mobilise men and money for the war of liberation; to march to Delhi – 'Delhi Chalo'.)
ICSE 2025 board paper · 1 mark
Identify the contributions of Subhash Chandra Bose: P. Was the Supreme Commander of INA Q. Signed the Lucknow Pact R. Led the Quit India Movement S. Founded the Forward Bloc
- P and Q
- Q and R
- P and S
- R and S
Show answer
P and S
ICSE 2025 sample paper · 1 mark
Read the description and identify the person – He established the Forward Bloc and coined the slogan, 'Delhi Chalo'.
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Subash Chandra Bose
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Dadabhai Naoroji
Show answer
Subash Chandra Bose
ICSE 2025 compartment paper · 2 marks
Imagine you are a young member of the Forward Bloc, how would you and your party work towards establishing a socialist state?
Show answer
1. We would bring all radical and leftist groups together and organise peasants, workers and youth in a mass struggle for complete independence, opposing any compromise with the British.
2. After independence we would work for a socialist state: abolition of landlordism (zamindari) and redistribution of land to the tillers, and a planned economy with industries under state ownership, so that wealth and opportunity are shared equally.
ICSE 2024 board paper · 1 mark
Read the two statements given below and select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (R): Assertion (A): Forward Bloc had the objective of abolishing Zamindari System. Reason (R): Subhash Chandra Bose wanted to establish a socialist state.
- A is true but R is false
- R is the reason for A
- Both A and R are false
- Only R is true, A is false
Show answer
R is the reason for A
ICSE 2024 board paper · 1 mark
Given below are the objectives of the Indian National Army. Identify the odd one out of the following:
- To organise a provisional government of Free India
- Total mobilisation of Indian manpower and money
- Unity, faith and sacrifice
- To train and organise public opinion in the country
Show answer
To train and organise public opinion in the country
ICSE 2024 sample paper · 2 marks
Mention any two contributions of Subash Chandra Bose.
Show answer
Any two:
1. He founded the Forward Bloc (1939) within the Congress to unite radical elements and fight for complete independence.
2. He took over and reorganised the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) in 1943 in Singapore and led it against the British with the call 'Delhi Chalo'.
3. He set up the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind Government) in Singapore in October 1943.
4. He gave the slogans 'Jai Hind' and 'Give me blood, and I will give you freedom', inspiring Indians; the INA trials later stirred national feeling and hastened independence.