Throughout World War II, both the Axis and Allied sides used propaganda to sway the opinions of Indian civilians and troops, while at the same time Indian nationalists applied propaganda both within and outside India to promote the cause of Indian independence.
Allied Propaganda in India
British Propaganda in India
The Far Eastern Bureau was responsible for all overt propaganda in India, and for the printing of leaflets and newspapers to be disseminated there. Front line propaganda to Indian soldiers was carried out by the General Headquarters of India (GHQ).
The majority of British propaganda was disseminated through newspaper, radio, and printed news sheets and leaflets. One news sheet was titled the "Hamara Hindustan" and was a four-page weekly newspaper with stories of progress in the war in Europe and Asia, as well as maps and images. This paper was printed in Urdu, and first disseminated in early 1944 by GHQ, India. Many of the leaflets and newspapers were particularly focused at Indian troops towards the end of the war.
Axis Propaganda in India
German Propaganda in India
At the beginning of World War II, the Germans were hesitant to get involved with India as it was part of the British Empire. Subhas Chandra Bose was the main impetus for the Germans and the Axis powers to launch propaganda campaigns there. Bose was a prominent Indian nationalist leader who had sought the help of the Axis powers during World War II in hopes of gaining independence from the British. With the help of the Nazis, Bose created a radio station called Azad Hind Radio, or Free India Radio. Bose's first statement on Azad Hind Radio came on February 28, 1942. The main theme of this broadcast was anti-British and pro-Nationalist, including statements such as "For other nations, British imperialism may be the enemy of today, but for India, it is the eternal foe….Standing at one of the crossroads of world history, I solemnly declare on behalf of all freedom-loving Indians in India and abroad, that we shall continue to fight British imperialism till India is once again the mistress of her destiny. During this struggle, and in the reconstruction that will follow, we shall heartily co-operate with all those who will help us in overthrowing the common enemy….The hour of India’s salvation is at hand." Following this broadcast, Joseph Goebbels, Reich Minister of Propaganda, wrote "We shall now begin our official fight on behalf of India." The broadcasts were repeatedly aired on Axis radio stations around the world, and to at least a dozen Axis stations in India. Bose continued to broadcast on Azad Hind Radio, focusing mainly on Indian independence and anti-British and anti-Allied themes.
Aside from Bose, Germany built upon whatever sympathy there was for their ideas, particularly in Bengal. The Germans had Hitler's book, Mein Kampf, translated into all the major Indian languages to spread their beliefs. They also mailed pro-Nazi literature to publications and German clubs.
Japanese Propaganda in India
The Japanese regarded India as a potential part of their Greater East-Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere, and planned from early in the war to subvert Indian troops. They wanted a pro-Indian independence organisation in place by the time they attacked the United States, and aided in the creation of the Indian National Army (INA). When creating the INA, the Japanese agreed to whole-hearted aid, cooperation, and alliance. The Japanese considered Subhas Chandra Bose as the probable leader for the INA.
Japanese propaganda to Indian troops was accomplished primarily through leaflets and radio. Leaflets distributed to Indian troops, particularly along the border region, asked them to join the Japanese and help liberate India. A “Free India” radio station was installed in Saigon, encouraging the Indians to launch an anti-colonial revolution while the British were weak and occupied elsewhere. “Indian Independence” transmitters were also set up in Bangkok and Singapore, as was an “Indian Muslim Station.”