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In 1939 the Indian Army numbered 205,000 men. It took in volunteers and by 1945 was the largest all-volunteer force in history, rising to over 2.5 million men.
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During the Second World War, India was controlled by Britain, with the British holding territories in India including over five hundred autonomous Princely States.
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The British government meanwhile sent Indian troops to fight in West Asia and northern Africa against the Axis. India also geared up to produce essential goods such as food and uniforms.
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During World War II, in 1941, the British presented a captured German Bf109 single-engined fighter to the Nizam of Hyderabad, in return for the funding of 2 RAF fighter squadrons.
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The British Indian Army was the key British Empire fighting presence in the Burma Campaign. The Royal Indian Air force's first assault mission was carried out against Japanese troops stationed in Burma.
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Congress launched the Quit India Movement in August 1942, refusing to cooperate in any way with the government until independence was granted.
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By 1942, neighbouring Burma was invaded by Japan, which by then had already captured the Indian territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
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The region of Bengal in India suffered a devastating famine during 1940-43.
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Several leaders of the radical revolutionary Indian independence movement broke away from the main Congress and went to war against Britain.
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Indian forces played a role in liberating Italy from Nazi control.
