Indian Independence League propaganda leaflet, 1943

The Indian Independence League (IIL) was established to encourage nationalism by unifying Indians outside India against British colonial rule.

The leaflet shows Mahatma Ghandi (centre), the leader of the Indian National Congress. At the time he was imprisoned by the British due to his 'Quit India Movement'. Also shown are Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (on the left), a leading member of Congress and an Islamic theologian, and Jawaharlal Nehru (right), independent India's first prime minister.

An inscription in English and three Indian languages reads: 'God bid Nippon to help India drive out the British devil. Japan is sworn to aid India fight. Indian independence league in East Asia'. The leaflet was dropped by Japanese aircraft on British Indian troops in Assam in 1943.