Hitler's Views on India and Indian People
Adolf Hitler's perspectives on India were deeply rooted in his ideologies of racial superiority and geopolitical ambitions. His views on the Indian subcontinent and its people were influenced by a combination of racial theories, support for British colonial rule, strategic calculations, and propaganda efforts.
Racial Views
Hitler believed in the concept of Aryan racial superiority, which was a cornerstone of his ideology. This belief led him to view Indians as racially inferior. In his book Mein Kampf, Hitler referred to Indians as a people unable to resist foreign rule, attributing this to the racial inferiority of the Indian population.
Support for British Colonial Rule
Despite recognizing the racial inferiority of Indians, Hitler supported the continuation of British colonial rule in India. He admired the British Empire and saw it as natural for a racially superior group to rule over a vast and diverse empire like India. Additionally, for Hitler, maintaining British strength in India was strategically important as it helped to fortify an ally in his broader geopolitical designs.
Geopolitical Interests and Strategic Calculations
Hitler had limited interest in Indian independence. He was more focused on supporting the British against the Axis powers in Europe. While Indian nationalist leader Subhas Chandra Bose sought assistance from the Axis powers, Hitler provided only limited support. He allowed Bose to form the Indian National Army (INA) to fight alongside the Japanese, but Hitler himself remained focused on the European theater of war.
Nazi Propaganda in India
Nazi Germany's propaganda efforts aimed to undermine British rule in India. Through radio broadcasts, the Nazis attempted to spread anti-British sentiments and appeal to Indian discontent with colonial rule. However, these efforts were more motivated by a desire to weaken British control rather than a genuine empathy for India's freedom.
Opposition to Indian Nationalism and Limited Military Support
Hitler had little sympathy for the Indian independence movement and considered leaders like Mahatma Gandhi as naive for their nonviolent resistance tactics, which he viewed as ineffective. Subhas Chandra Bose found limited support from Hitler, and while Bose met with Hitler in 1942, Hitler did not provide significant military assistance to Bose's plans for liberating India.
In summary, Hitler viewed Indians as racially inferior and had little interest in supporting their independence. His views were shaped by his belief in racial hierarchies and by his geopolitical strategies that prioritized maintaining British strength to avoid disrupting the global balance that favored Nazi goals in Europe.