The triumphant campaign of the Japanese in South-East Asia caused much excitement among the people of Indian origin living in these regions. In this context briefly describe:

(a) Circumstances which led to the establishment of Indian Independence League

(b) Decisions taken at the Tokyo Conference

(c) The Bangkok Conference and the Formation of Indian National Army

(a) In South-East Asia, the Japanese were getting one success after another against the British.

1. As a result, a large number of Indian soldiers fell prisoners into their hands.
2. After the fall of Singapore in February 1942 Japan captured some 40,000 Indian soldiers as prisoners of war.
3. The Japanese handed them over to Captain Mohan Singh, who had earlier surrendered to them after the Japanese forces attacked Malaya.
4. Britain's defeats roused great hopes among Indian soldiers.
5. They were ready to take action which led to the formation of the Indian Independence League.
6. The organiser of the league was Rash Behari Bose, an old revolutionary who had fled to Japan in 1915.

(b) At the Tokyo Conference, the following decisions were taken:

1. To expand and strengthen the Indian Independence League
2. To form under the overall command of the League an Indian National Army, i.e., an army of Indian Liberation
3. To hold a conference at Bangkok to consolidate these decisions.

(c) The Bangkok Conference was held from 15 June to 23 June.

1. More than 150 delegates from Malaya (Malaysia), Singapore, Burma, Thailand, HongKong, Manila and Java attended the Conference.
2. It passed many resolutions, including one which stated that "Shri Subhas Chandra Bose be invited to come from Europe to lead this movement".
3. Thousands of Indian soldiers joined the INA (Azad Hind Fauz), which was formally established on 1st September, 1942.
4. The Flag of the INA was similar to that of the Congress Tricolour. It bore the symbol of a roaring lion.
5. A Council of Action was formed under the presidentship of Rash Behari Bose.
6. Mohan Singh took over as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian National Army.
7. Japanese Government supplied the arms, ships and aeroplanes to the INA.
8. On 26 August 1943 Subhas officially took charge of the Indian National Army and became its Supreme Commander.