Who initiated the formation of the Azad Hind Fauj?

Concept

The Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) went through two distinct historical stages: it was first organised in 1942 among Indian prisoners-of-war and expatriates in Southeast Asia, and was later reorganised and expanded under different leadership from 1943 onward. Competitive exams distinguish "who initiated/formed" the INA from "who revived/led" it, since these roles belonged to two different leaders.

Application

In 1942, following Japan's military advances into Southeast Asia, the veteran revolutionary Rash Behari Bose, who had been active from Japan since the 1910s, worked with the Indian Independence League and Captain Mohan Singh to organise captured Indian soldiers of the British Indian Army into the first Azad Hind Fauj. Rash Behari Bose formally handed over command of this organisation to Subhas Chandra Bose in July 1943, after Bose arrived in Southeast Asia from Germany via submarine.

Cross-check

Subhas Chandra Bose's well-documented contribution, reorganising and expanding the force, forming the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, and leading the "Delhi Chalo" campaign, began only after he assumed command of an army that had already been founded. The TPSC official answer key for this paper also confirms Rash Behari Bose as the correct answer to "who initiated the formation".