Japanese propaganda leaflet distributed by the Indian Independence League, 1944 (litho)

Japanese propaganda leaflet distributed by the Indian Independence League, 1944. The Indian Independence League (IIL) was established to encourage nationalism by unifying Indians outside India against British colonial rule. The leaflet shows Subhas Chandra Bose (on the left), the president of the Indian National Army, which was assisted by Japan. During 1944, Bose had organised the Azad Hind Fauj, primarily composed of Indian prisoners of war. It fought in Burma and even reached Indian soil on 18 March 1944. Mahatma Ghandi (centre), the leader of the Indian National Congress, is also depicted. At the time he was imprisoned by the British due to his ‘Quit India Movement.’