Yesterdate: This day from Kolkata’s past, October 21, 1943

On this day Subhas Chandra Bose founded Arzi Hakumat-e-Azad Hind, Azad Hind in short, Provisional Government of Free India, in Singapore.

This was the Indian government-in-exile.

Azad Hind had its own currency, court system and military-force, which was 40,000-strong and known as the Indian National Army (INA).

It was supported by Japan, where Bose had arrived in 1943 from Europe, after having escaped from India.

In the notice proclaiming the formation of Azad Hind, Bose says after India was freed of the British and the Americans, Azad Hind will be founded on Indian soil as an “India of the Indians”.