1942

<p><i>This book provides context analyzes and narrates the events of 1942 which shook British Rule of India and eventually led to the collapse of the British Empire.</i></p><p>1942: Japanese armies reached the Northeast Borders of India after taking over Burma (Myanmar). Then the Japanese bombed Madras Vizag and Calcutta.</p><p>Ports on India’s East Coast were closed. Almost 100000 soldiers of the British Indian Army and 400000 civilians- disease-ridden and demoralized- came to India from Burma making a tortuous journey with nearly 50-100000 perishing while trekking through the mosquito-infested jungles.</p><p>Earlier The Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor and Malaya almost simultaneously. The British-ruled areas of Malaya Hongkong and Singapore surrendered quickly. Under Chatfield doctrine the defense of these areas was the responsibility of British India. Besides there were a large number of Indians in trade and various professions.</p><p>Fearing a Japanese invasion the British started sending their families to the interior and began planning to evacuate from India.</p><p>In Feb '42 Churchill informed King George VI that 'Burma Ceylon Calcutta and Madras in India and part of Australia may fall into enemy (Japan) hands.'</p><p>Then Congress launched the Quit India movement.</p><p>The formation of the<b> Indian National Army</b> planted the seeds for the collapse of the British Empire.</p>