GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

Detailed explanation-1: -Indian soldiers provided manpower, equipment and auxiliary support in theatres of war throughout the world. Their contribution was vital to keep the supply lines to Britain open and to defend her borders at home and in the empire.

Detailed explanation-2: -In 1942, the Communist Party of India decided to support the British war effort. It was alarmed at the attack on the Soviet Union by the Nazis. It realised the danger at a world level and called the war a People’s War.

Detailed explanation-3: -Over 1.3 million Indian servicemen fought in World War 1 and there were over 70, 000 fatalities. The Indian Army dominated, but the Indian Navy also contributed and Indians served in the Army Flying Corps. There were also labour battalions recruited from Bengal.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Allies sought to utilise resources and land in India for the war effort. India supplied, for instance, 25 million pairs of shoes, 37, 000 silk parachutes and 4 million cotton supply-dropping parachutes during the war.