Rare INA insignia ‘Freies Indien’ highlights global significance of India’s freedom movement

A rare and significant artefact, “Free India” (Freies Indien) cloth badge produced in Germany during World War II and used as an arm insignia on the military uniforms of the officers of the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army), will be on display on the occasion of the 129th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The artefact, which is of national significance for India, will be a rare gift for the entire country at a time when the nation is going to commemorate the sacrifices of the brave sons of the country for the freedom struggle and the history of the movements conducted at an international pedestal.

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Collector Prithwish Dasgupta, known for his collection of items assoicated with Netaji, has recently added this rare “Freies Indien” badge to his personal collection. Since it was used by the ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ during India’s struggle for independence, it is extremely valuable.

Prithwish Dasgupta has incorporated this unique badge into his personal collection. He has been recognised for preserving memorabilia associated with Netaji and the Azad Hind movement for a long time. A few days ago, he successfully held an exhibition of his collection at the Kolkata Post & Telegraph office and won a prize.

In the final phase of the war against the British, this arm insignia was worn by Indian volunteers as a visible testament to Subhas Chandra Bose’s global strategy for promoting India’s independence movement. This serves as an evidence of Netaji’s struggle for India’s freedom. Its signifiance is not confined to the Indian subcontinent as it actively influenced the international community.

This badge, crafted by using the weaving technology of the Indian method, measures approximately 6.5 cm by 8 cm. It features the saffron, white, and green colours of the Indian National Congress flag from that era, along with a similar design of a cut ribbon. Additionally, it includes the symbol of a leaping tiger, which is a significant emblem of the Azad Hind movement. The unit was popularly known by the nickname “Tiger Legion”.

According to military experts, the woven version of the ‘Free India’ insignia is considered particularly rare due to limited production and wartime losses.

This insignia was worn by members of the Indian Legion, which was also known as “Freies Indien” and ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ in Europe. The unit was formed with the Indian prisoners of war and expatriates. Initially associated with the Wehrmacht, it was later transferred under the Waffen-SS in 1944. Alongside the parallel activities of the ‘Indian National Army’ in Southeast Asia, this legion played a crucial role in internationalising Netaji’s struggle for independence, particularly at a time when the British Empire was under severe pressure during World War II.

The recently collected badge patch provides a clear evidence of its usage during that time. The original stitching marks from being removed from a uniform’s sleeve are still visible. Additionally, signs of age-related light deterioration and fading are also noticeable. On the reverse side, residual adhesive material indicates later mounting, and according to military grading, it has been assessed as Condition II+.

On the occasion of the 76th Republic Day of the country, this badge-patch stands out as a silent yet powerful witness to the struggle for independence, reminding us of Netaji’s enduring belief in the essential qualities of indomitable courage, solid planning, and effective action on the international stage required for achieving freedom.

In the twentieth century, as political parties in Bengal sought to harvest electoral gains by invoking the name of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose during elections, individuals like the collector Prithwish Dasgupta were uncovering and presenting the true information before us.

According to historians, as the nation pays tribute to its leaders today, the ‘Freies Indien’ insignia serves as a unique gift to the people of the county on the occasion of Netaji’s 129th birth anniversary. In addition to its rarity, this emblem highlights Bose’s vision of India within the context of the international, multifaceted struggle for India’s independence and global politics. Collectors believe that this tireless effort and this rare artefact will be regarded as a significant chapter in the history of the Indian subcontinent’s freedom struggle for future generations.