All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
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.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. The 'Cabinet Mission' of 1946 was led by

  2. The Swadeshi Boycott Movement is related to

  3. "Abhinav Bharat" was founded in 1904 as a secret society of revolutionaries by:

  4. What was the name of the women's regiment in the Indian National Army founded by Subhash Chandra Bose?

  5. Khudai Khidmatgars, a non-violent movement among the Pathans was started by _____.

  6. Who among the following gave the famous 'Do or Die' slogan during Quit India Movement?

  7. Who was the first nationalist to give the theory of the drain of wealth from India to England?

  8. In which of the following years was the Indian Independence Act passed by the British Parliament?

  9. Which of the following describes the role of Aruna Asaf Ali in Indian history?
  10. Kanaklata Barua, a young female revolutionary, was shot dead by the police while attempting to hoist the Indian national flag during the "Quit India Movement" in which state?

Important Questions from Freedom to Partition (1939-1947)

  1. The princely states that were unwilling to join the Indian Union until July 1947 included:

    a. Baroda

    b. Travancore

    c. Bikaner

    d. Bhopal

  2. The first major nation wide Satyagraha launched by Mahatma Gandhi was against:

  3. Who was the Chairman of the Partition Council?

  4. With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?

  5. Arrange the following significant events in the history of India's independence struggle in chronological order, from earliest to latest:

    1. Cripps Mission
    2. Wavell Plan
    3. Quit India Movement
    4. Cabinet Mission
    5. August Offer
    6. Royal Indian Navy Mutiny

    Which of the following sequences is correct?
Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
SSC CGL
September 30, 2026
UPSSSC PET
October 23, 2026
Test Series
SSC CGL img
SSC
SSC CGL (Tier I + Tier II) 2026 Mock Test Series - Latest Pattern
2503 Tests 6 Tests Free
4821 Attempts
4.2(856)
English, Hindi

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App