Why did Indians volunteer to fight for the British during World War II?

[removeduser_052420]

Why did they? Why did Indians fight for the nation that colonized and ruled them? Why did they fight for British democracy, when they were not given any benefits of it in India? Why did Indians make the Biggest volunteer army in the history of the world to fight for British?

Personally, even though both of my grandfathers fought for the British Indian Army, I still disagree that they should have. The only valid reason would be that the Brits would make better masters than the Japanese. But even that is not a good argument. Your thoughts?

[Tecumseh]

Jobs? Adventure?

Not everyone joins the army because they are idealists.

[ShADoW]

The British promised India independence in exchange for the support in the war. India's Muslim politicians also were in favour for supporting the Brits during the war too, probably to gain favour over the Hindus? If India were to rebel at the time, they'd have thought they were going to get the support of the Axis, but the Axis countries wouldn't have the logistics or routes to actually support them. Japan would be too busy dealing with the Pacific.

[skh1]

Japan did, in fact, support an insurgency in the form of the Indian National Army, though to little practical effect.

I believe the OP might be interested in this figure if he is not aware of him already.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subhas_Chandra_Bose

[RomanSoldier9001]

Personally, even though both of my grandfathers fought for the British Indian Army, I still disagree that they should have. The only valid reason would be that the Brits would make better masters than the Japanese. But even that is not a good argument. Your thoughts?

Actualy some Indians fough for Japanese and Germans for independence.
Also I advise the same thing as previous poster but you probaly awared of that historical figure already.
And btw they were Muslims ,Hindus and other religions on Japan and Germany back Indian "Free Legions" so dont see how muslims served more British than their Hindu Counterparts.



The Trials made against the "colaborators" in Post War India by the British made even more unpopular British in Indian Eyes thousands if not milions protest this trials that were seen as "show trials" against indian heroes so altough few indiands fough for Axis their influence was big in India outcome for Independence.


[SPOILER]

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[SPOILER]

[skh1]

Japan's strategic goals at the start of WWII were embodied in the idea of the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere: "Asia for the Asians" with all western colonial regimes eradicated.

It is unlikely, though, the most Asians were completely on board with what this policy would have eventually entailed and the spectacle of its implementation in Korea and China would have been off-putting to understate the case considerably.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater...sperity_Sphere

India was well on its way to independence before the war. India's unfailingly intrepid service and untold sacrifices in the allied cause "sealed the deal" and hastened the inevitable along.

(I had long dismissed Bose as a creepy Oswald Mosely-type figure but he seems to have been true patriot impatient with that slow crawl to freedom. He had the misfortune to choose the losing side and has been damned by history (well Western history at least) ever since. You learn something new everyday.)

[Babur]

They fought for Britain in the belief that they would get their own freedom after the War.This would be granted in 1947, also it was argued that Japanese imperalism was worse than British imperialism.In West Bengal, Subhas Chandra Bose is considered a hero to this day.

[Sphere]

Money was a huge factor. I've seen several interviews of Indian vets and they invariably point out that poverty was the key motivating factor behind enlistment.

[Tiberios]

The promise of independence is certainly a key factor. On the other hand some probably did out of loyalty to Britian.

[Genius of the Restoration]

Money was a huge factor. I've seen several interviews of Indian vets and they invariably point out that poverty was the key motivating factor behind enlistment.

This is true. Inflation kicked in pretty hard and over the course of the war the money supply in India rose from about Rs 3 billion in 1939 to 22 in 1945 due to increased minting. Later on, there was a famine in Bengal in 1943-4 that killed 3.5-3.8 million (this isn't usually mentioned when discussing losses of life in WWII for some reason).

I think the rest has been covered. There were plenty of Indians who didn't fight. Many of the nationalists joined the Quit India campaign led by Gandhi to try to get independence without going to war.

[white-wolf]

For money?

[Azog 150]

As most have said the promise of independence, money, adventure and for some probably a desire to follow in their fathers and grandfathers footsteps. For some groups such as the Sikhs with a strong martial prowess it was a chance to fight (In World War 1 20% of the Indian Army was made up of Sikhs despite them making up only 2% of the population. I am not sure about World War 2 but they will undoubtedly of had a very non proportionate representation in the Indian Army). Not only that, the Japanese were on their doorstep.

[jankren]

Chandra Bose is awesome.

[Genius of the Restoration]

As well as Sikhs, Rajputs had a much higher representation of their population and were designated a 'martial race' by the British. Formed their own regiments and stuff.

[Babur]

As well as Sikhs, Rajputs had a much higher representation of their population and were designated a 'martial race' by the British. Formed their own regiments and stuff.

Jats were also considered a "martial race"

[Genius of the Restoration]

I'd forgotten about them, but they were indeed. Been focussing on Rajasthan too much lately
Just checked on wiki and there were quite a few I didn't know about:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_race

British declared 'martial races' in India [16][17][18][19][20][21], listed in alphabetical order:

• Ahir/Jadhav/Yadavs[22][23][24]
• Awans[25][26]
• Bengali (excluded after rebellion)
• Bhumihar ( excluded later after rebellions )
• Dogra[24]
• Gakhars
• Qaimkhanis
• Garhwalis [27]
• Gurkhas[28]
• Jats[24][29][30]
• Janjua[24]
• Gujjar[24]
• Meena
• Kamboj/Kamboh [24]
• Kodava (Coorgs)
• Khokhar [24]
• Tarkhan (Punjab)
• Kumaoni/Kumaunis [31]
• Mukkulathors ( excluded and branded as Criminal Tribes due to rebellious nature )
• Mahars
• Dhund Abbasis
• Sainis of undivided Punjab [32][24][33]
• Satti
• Sudhan
• Nairs[34][35][36][37] (removed after rebelling)
• Pathans[24]
• Rajputs[24]
• Sikhs[38][39]
• Tanolis[40][41]

[cottontail]

Why did they? Why did Indians fight for the nation that colonized and ruled them? Why did they fight for British democracy, when they were not given any benefits of it in India? Why did Indians make the Biggest volunteer army in the history of the world to fight for British?

Personally, even though both of my grandfathers fought for the British Indian Army, I still disagree that they should have. The only valid reason would be that the Brits would make better masters than the Japanese. But even that is not a good argument. Your thoughts?

adventure, money, excitement, money, romance ( ok, not so much of that), money, glory, money, money, money.

FREE FOOD!

I think you can guess what I think is the main reason

[hellheaven1987]

adventure, money, excitement, money, romance ( ok, not so much of that), money, glory, money, money, money.

FREE FOOD!

I think you can guess what I think is the main reason

Too bad France was crushed in 1940, or French Foreign Legion would welcome Indians.

Anyway, Indians fought in British force during WWII for same reason as North Africans fought in French force during First Indochina War.

[Vizsla]

The latent assumptions behind the question are that the British were evil and that all Indians hated them.

Neither assumption is wholly accurate.

[cenkiss]

Maybe they liked the british?