"This volume systematically covers major developments of the year 1945, when the empire was perceived to be on the brink of its termination. Chapters 1, 9, and 10 cover various aspects of the Indian National Army-the campaigns, speeches and broadcasts, the trial, and the mass upsurge. Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the freedom campaign both in India and the West. Chapters 4 to 7 document the repeated failures to bring about a consensus on forming a government at the centre with various political parties. Chapter 8 focuses on the popular movements - States Peoples' movements and the Workers-Peasants' movements. The last chapter highlights certain pronouncements of leaders, debates on ideas about the future of India, and the publications that happened to occur in 1945."--BOOK JACKET.