In the Indian National Army, Subhas Chandra Bose selected the best soldiers from the existing Gandhi, Azad and Nehru brigades and reorganised them into a new elite formation. What name did the soldiers themselves give to this new brigade?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Subhas Brigade

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question relates to the history of the Indian National Army (INA) and the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose during India's freedom struggle. The INA was reorganised under Bose to make it more effective and symbolically inspiring for Indian soldiers fighting against British colonial rule. Understanding the names of its brigades and their reorganisation helps students remember key details of the freedom movement beyond the mainstream narrative of non-violent struggle.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The question is about the Indian National Army (INA).
  • There were three existing brigades named Gandhi, Azad and Nehru.
  • Subhas Chandra Bose selected the best soldiers from these brigades.
  • He organised them into a new elite brigade.
  • The question asks what name the soldiers themselves gave to this new brigade.


Concept / Approach:
To answer this, we recall the structure and symbolism of the INA under Bose. He used brigade names associated with prominent national leaders to inspire patriotism. Later, an elite formation was created which bore Bose's own name. The approach is simple factual recall from modern Indian history: identify which brigade name is historically documented as the new elite unit formed from the best soldiers of the Gandhi, Azad and Nehru brigades.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the INA had brigades named after leaders such as Gandhi, Nehru and Azad. Step 2: Subhas Chandra Bose, as Supreme Commander of the INA, wanted a highly motivated elite fighting formation. Step 3: He selected the best soldiers from the three existing brigades and reorganised them. Step 4: Historical accounts mention that this new elite unit was named after Bose himself. Step 5: Among the options, the only name that clearly reflects this is "Subhas Brigade".


Verification / Alternative check:
One can cross-check standard modern Indian history references on the INA. They consistently list brigades such as Gandhi Brigade, Nehru Brigade, Azad Brigade and Subhas Brigade. The Subhas Brigade is specifically noted as a key formation, confirming that this is the correct answer. No reliable source describes an elite unit called Himalayan Brigade, Swatantra Bharat Brigade or Bhagat Singh Brigade within the INA structure in this particular context.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Himalayan Brigade: There is no widely accepted historical record of a Himalayan Brigade created from the Gandhi, Azad and Nehru brigades in the INA.
Swatantra Bharat Brigade: Although the idea of a "Free India Brigade" sounds patriotic, it is not the documented name of this particular elite unit.
Bhagat Singh Brigade: While Bhagat Singh is a revered revolutionary, the brigade formed from the three named brigades was not called by his name in standard INA histories.


Common Pitfalls:
Students may guess a name that sounds patriotic or revolutionary without recalling the exact historical detail. Another common mistake is to assume that because other brigades were named after famous leaders, the new brigade must have a completely different concept name, when in reality it honoured Bose himself. Confusing different revolutionary or military units from other parts of the freedom movement can also lead to wrong answers.


Final Answer:
The new elite brigade formed from the Gandhi, Azad and Nehru brigades in the Indian National Army was called the Subhas Brigade.

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