Q. In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as

  • Leaders of Swadeshi and Boycott Movement
  • Members of the Interim Government in 1946
  • Members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly
  • Officers of the Indian National Army

Answer: (d) Officers of the Indian National Army

Notes:
  • The Indian National Army (also known as the Azad Hind Fauj) was an armed force formed by Indian Nationalists in 1942, through the patronage of the Imperial Japanese Army, to secure independence for India.
  • The first INA was formed under Mohan Singh, a former officer of the British Indian Army captured during the Malay campaign. Conditions in the prisoner-of-war camps, as well as resentment against the British in general, saw many prisoners of war volunteer to join the Indian National Army.
  • The initiative received considerable support from the Imperial Japanese Army and from the ethnic Indian population of South-East Asia.
    • However, disagreements between Mohan Singh and the Japanese Army Command regarding the autonomy of the Indian National Army led to the disbandment of the first INA in December 1942.
  • Subash Chandra Bose and the Second INA
    • Although Mohan Singh had angered the Japanese Army Command through his actions, they relented to form a second Indian National Army. Mohan Singh himself recommended Subash Chandra Bose for the leadership role. His reputation as a committed nationalist was known to both the Indian diaspora of South East Asia and the Imperial Japanese Army. As such, they were more open to the idea of a nationalist army led by Subash Chandra Bose. The activities of Subash Chandra Bose in India had forced the British authorities to imprison him, but he escaped and reached Berlin in 1941.
  • Major General Shah Nawaz Khan, Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon and Colonel Prem Kumar Sahgal were three of the senior-most officers of INA and trusted colleagues of Netaji.
    • These three officers were part of Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA), which fought alongside the Axis Powers during World War II to achieve India’s independence from British rule.
  • The Red Fort Trials (1945–1946):
    • The three officers — Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon – were charged with treason, murder, and torture for their role in the INA.
    • The trial took place at the Red Fort in Delhi, and it became a symbol of national resistance against British rule, uniting Indians across political ideologies.
    • Although the British found them guilty, the widespread public outrage and protests across India forced the British to commute their sentences.
Constituent Assembly of India
  • Constituent Assembly of India was partly elected and partly nominated body to frame the Constitution of India. It was elected by the Provincial assemblies of British India following the Provincial Assembly elections held in 1946 and nominated by princely states.
  • After India’s independence from the British in August 1947, its members served as the nation’s ‘Provisional Parliament‘, as well as the Constituent Assembly.
  • It was conceived and created by V. K. Krishna Menon, who first outlined its necessity in 1933 and enshrined it as an Indian National Congress demand.
  • The Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, comprised seven members:
    • Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar,
    • N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar,
    • K.M. Munshi,
    • Mohammad Saadulla,
    • B.L. Mitter (later replaced by N. Madhava Rao),
    • D.P. Khaitan (later replaced by T.T. Krishnamachari),
    • and B.R. Ambedkar.
Interim Government
  • The Interim Government of India, also known as the Provisional Government of India, formed on 2 September 1946 from the newly elected Constituent Assembly of India, had the task of assisting the transition of British India to independence.
    • It remained in place until 15 August 1947, the date of the independence (and partition) of British India, and the creation of the dominions of India and Pakistan.
  • Key Members and their Portfolios:
    • Jawaharlal Nehru (INC): Vice President, External Affairs, and Commonwealth Relations.
    • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (INC): Home Affairs, Information, and Broadcasting.
    • Rajendra Prasad (INC): Agriculture and Food.
    • C. Rajagopalachari (INC): Education and Arts.
    • Baldev Singh (Sikh): Defence.
    • Liaquat Ali Khan (Muslim League): Finance.
    • Jagjivan Ram (INC): Labour.
    • Asaf Ali (Muslim League): Railways and Communications.
    • C.H. Bhabha (Parsee): Works, Mines, and Power.
    • Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar (Muslim League): Commerce.
    • Abdur Rab Nishtar (Muslim League): Posts and Air.
    • Ghazanfar Ali Khan (Muslim League): Health.
    • Jogendra Nath Mandal (Scheduled Caste): Law.
    • John Matthai (Indian Christian): Industries and Supplies.