India’s Struggle for freedom three INA Stalwarts.
Technical Data
| Stamp Set | India's Struggle for Freedom |
|---|---|
| Date of Issue | August 15, 1997 |
| Denomination | Rs. 2 |
| Quantity | 400,000 |
| Perforation | comb 13½ x 13 |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Nashik |
| Printing Process | Photogravure |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Credit (Designed By) | Sh. Sankha Samanta |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 1563 Stamp Number IN 1613 Yvert et Tellier IN 1320 Stanley Gibbons IN 1727 |
| Themes | Commemoration | Famous people | Freedom Fighters | Men |
Historical Background
The end of the Second World War brought a decisive phase in India’s struggle for freedom. One of the most significant events of this period was the public protest against the trials of officers of the Indian National Army (INA), also known as the Azad Hind Fauz. These trials stirred patriotic feelings across the country and strengthened the demand for independence.
The Red Fort Trial of 1945
The first INA trial began in 1945 at the historic Red Fort, Delhi. Three senior INA officers were charged with waging war against the King-Emperor:
- Captain Shah Nawaz Khan
- Captain P. K. Sahgal
- Lieutenant G. S. Dhillon
The trial attracted worldwide attention. Leading Indian lawyers, including Bhulabhai Desai, Tej Bahadur Sapru, and Jawaharlal Nehru, defended the accused officers.
Public Reaction
The trial sparked mass demonstrations across India. People clashed with the police, workers went on strike, and normal life was disrupted in many places. The officers became symbols of India’s fight for freedom and inspired unity among civilians and soldiers alike.
Shah Nawaz Khan
Born at Rawalpindi on 24 January 1914, Shah Nawaz Khan was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1936. While serving in Singapore, he joined the INA under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. In 1943, he was chosen to command the Subhas Brigade, which was to lead the advance into India.
P. K. Sahgal
Born at Hoshiarpur on 25 January 1917, P. K. Sahgal was commissioned in 1939. He joined the INA in 1942, motivated by the desire to secure freedom for his motherland.
G. S. Dhillon
Born at Algon on 4 April 1915, G. S. Dhillon was commissioned in 1940. After the fall of Singapore in 1942, he joined the INA organized by Captain Mohan Singh.
Release and Impact
On 3 January 1946, the Commander-in-Chief remitted their sentence of transportation for life, and the three officers were released from Red Fort. Their trial had already ignited nationalist spirit in the armed forces, leading to strikes in the Army, Air Force, and Royal Indian Navy.
These events convinced the British that they could no longer depend fully on Indian troops to maintain colonial rule, making the INA trials a major turning point on the road to independence.
Commemorative Stamp
The Department of Posts issued a special postage stamp featuring Shah Nawaz Khan, P. K. Sahgal, and G. S. Dhillon against the battlements of the Red Fort, paying tribute to their courage and to all those who sacrificed for India’s freedom.
First Day Cover
