A Nice and very rare to find German issued Azad Hind Breast Star being the 1st Class With Swords type. The award comes in its original presentation vacuum sealed Case with the head of a tiger and crossed swords embossed to the lid. To the underside of the silk lined lid, there is the maker's name of Rudolf Souval and a cut out for the award pin to the base in the box. The award as stated, is With Swords and shows a tiger's head within a circle with the wording Azad Hind, with to cutlasses going behind this. This is mounted onto a silver eight pointed star. To the reverse is a nice pin, hinge and hook fitting with a circular plate with Rudolf Souval Vienna affixed. The award is in nice overall condition.
Azad Hind and the Indian Legion (Legion Freies Indien)
Azad Hind (the Provisional Government of Free India) was established in 1943 under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose. This government had its own institutions – a currency, court system, civil code, and its own army, known as the Indian National Army (INA). During the Second World War, the INA fought in Burma against Anglo-American forces, operating in alliance with the Imperial Japanese Army. The organization ceased to exist in August 1945 after the defeat of the Axis powers.
The Indian Legion (Legion Freies Indien)
The Indian Legion, also known as Legion Freies Indien, Indische Freiwilligen-Legion Regiment 950, or simply the Indische Legion, was created in 1941 in Germany. Its formation was conceived by Subhas Chandra Bose during his time in Europe.
The initial composition of the Legion consisted of Indian students living in Germany, along with a small number of Indians taken prisoner in North Africa.
Later, its numbers were increased by larger groups of Indian prisoners of war captured from the British.
The Legion was originally part of the Wehrmacht, but in August 1944 it was transferred to the Waffen-SS.
Its strength was about 2,500 men.
In May 1945, the Legion attempted to retreat into Switzerland to avoid surrender, but along the way its members were captured by American and French forces, and subsequently handed over to British and Indian authorities.
Azad Hind Awards
In 1942, Subhas Chandra Bose established special awards for distinguished soldiers of the Indian Legion in Europe. Later, the same awards were presented to soldiers of the Indian National Army in Southeast Asia.
The decorations were produced in 1943 by the firm Rudolf Souval of Vienna.
1. Sher-e-Hind (“Tiger of India”) – the highest order; awarded with crossed swords for combat valor and without swords for non-combat merit.
2. Sardar-e-Jung (“Leader of Battle”) – first-class order, awarded with or without swords.
3. Vir-e-Hind (“Warrior of India”) – second-class order, awarded with or without swords.
4. Shahid-e-Bharat (“Martyr of India”) – a posthumous award, given only with swords, in gold or silver.
5. Tamgha-e-Bahaduro (“Medal of Bravery”) – a soldier’s medal, awarded both for combat and non-combat distinction.
Historical Significance
Azad Hind and its associated formations represented an attempt to unite Indians in the struggle against British colonial rule.
Although their military successes were limited, Bose’s efforts carried strong symbolic value and inspired the Indian independence movement.
After the war, many participants of the INA and the Legion were brought before British courts. However, these trials provoked mass protests in India, becoming an additional factor that accelerated the process of decolonization.