India’s Role in the Second World War and Its Struggle for Independence

Abstract

India’s participation in the Second World War (1939–1945) was both extensive and transformative, leaving a lasting impact on its political destiny and its struggle for freedom. Although India entered the war under British colonial rule without the consent of its leaders, the subcontinent became indispensable to the Allied war effort. India contributed the largest volunteer army in history, with over 2.5 million soldiers serving across diverse theaters, from North Africa and Europe to Southeast Asia. These soldiers played a critical role in halting Axis advances and safeguarding Allied supply lines, while India’s geographical position made it a vital base for training, logistics, and communication.

Equally significant were India’s economic and material contributions. The country supplied vast resources, including food grains, raw materials, and manufactured goods, while also financing the war through loans and sterling balances. However, these contributions came at a heavy human cost, exemplified by the Bengal Famine of 1943, which resulted in millions of deaths. At the same time, the contradiction of fighting for democracy abroad while living under colonial subjugation deepened nationalist sentiment at home. The Quit India Movement of 1942 and Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army reflected two contrasting yet powerful responses to colonial domination. Ultimately, the war weakened Britain’s hold and intensified India’s demand for sovereignty, paving the way for independence in 1947.