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Question

Who among the following was the founder of ‘Tiger Legion' or ‘Free India Legion'?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

Subhas Chandra Bose

Understanding the Founder of the Tiger Legion / Free India Legion

The question asks about the founder of the 'Tiger Legion' or 'Free India Legion'. These names refer to a specific military unit formed outside India during the Indian independence movement. Let's examine the options to determine the correct founder.

What was the Tiger Legion or Free India Legion?

The 'Free India Legion' (also known as the Indische Freiwilligen-Legion der Waffen-SS or 'Tiger Legion') was a military unit formed in 1941 in Germany. It was composed of Indian prisoners of war captured by the Axis powers in North Africa and Europe, as well as Indian expatriates residing in Germany and other European countries. The main objective was to fight for India's independence from British rule.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the individuals mentioned in the options:

  • Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: A prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and the Hindu Mahasabha. While influential, he was not directly involved in forming the Free India Legion in Germany.
  • Subhas Chandra Bose: A key leader of the Indian independence movement. After leaving India during World War II, he traveled to Germany to seek support for India's liberation. He played a crucial role in the formation and organization of the Free India Legion, appealing to Indian prisoners of war and civilians in Europe to join the fight.
  • Sohan Singh Bhakhna: A founder of the Ghadar Party, primarily active in North America and involved in revolutionary activities aimed at overthrowing British rule in India. Not directly associated with the formation of the Free India Legion in Germany.
  • Lala Hardayal: Another prominent figure associated with the Ghadar Party. Like Sohan Singh Bhakhna, his revolutionary activities were primarily focused on North America and India, not the formation of military units in Germany.

Subhas Chandra Bose and the Free India Legion

Subhas Chandra Bose's arrival in Germany was instrumental in the establishment of the Free India Legion. He sought to raise an army from Indian prisoners of war and use them as a force to liberate India. He actively recruited soldiers for the legion, which was initially part of the German Army (Wehrmacht) and later incorporated into the Waffen-SS. Bose addressed the troops, instilled patriotic fervor, and envisioned the legion as the vanguard of an army that would march into India to overthrow British rule.

Therefore, based on historical records, Subhas Chandra Bose was the primary figure behind the formation and leadership of the 'Tiger Legion' or 'Free India Legion'.

Conclusion

The founder and key figure associated with the formation of the 'Tiger Legion' or 'Free India Legion' was Subhas Chandra Bose.

Organization/Unit Founder/Key Figure Primary Location
Tiger Legion / Free India Legion Subhas Chandra Bose Germany (initially)
Ghadar Party Lala Hardayal, Sohan Singh Bhakhna, etc. North America

Revision Table: Key Figures and Organizations

Figure Associated Organization(s)
Subhas Chandra Bose Forward Bloc, Provisional Government of Free India, Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army), Free India Legion
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Hindu Mahasabha, Abhinav Bharat Society
Sohan Singh Bhakhna Ghadar Party
Lala Hardayal Ghadar Party

Additional Information: The Free India Legion's Role

The Free India Legion was formed with the aim of participating in a potential Axis invasion of the Indian subcontinent. However, it primarily saw action in Europe, fighting against Allied forces in regions like France and Italy. Despite not achieving its original goal of marching into India, the legion represented the commitment of Indian expatriates and prisoners of war to the cause of independence under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose. The soldiers took an oath to fight for India under Bose's leadership. The unit was transferred from the German Army to the Waffen-SS in 1944.

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