Why is it in the news?
→ 18 February 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the Royal Indian Navy Revolt of 1946.
→ The event symbolised militant anti-colonial resistance and rare Hindu-Muslim unity during the final phase of British rule.
Category: History
Important Points
- RIN Revolt (1946) was a large-scale armed uprising by about 20,000 naval ratings.
- Triggered by racial discrimination, poor food quality, low wages and INA trials.
- Involved 78 ships and 20 shore establishments including HMIS Talwar in Bombay.
- Spread to bases in Karachi, Madras, Cochin, Visakhapatnam, Calcutta and Andaman Islands.
- Naval Central Strike Committee formed during the uprising.
- Protesters hoisted Congress, Muslim League and Communist Party flags together.
- Sympathetic strikes occurred in Royal Indian Air Force bases.
- Peaceful hunger strike escalated into armed conflict after British forces opened fire.
- The revolt ended on 23rd February 1946 after persuasion by Sardar Patel and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
- INA was initially formed by Mohan Singh; later led by Subhas Chandra Bose.
- Provisional Government of Free India established in Singapore on 21 October 1943.
- INA launched the ‘Chalo Delhi’ campaign and hoisted the flag at Moirang, Manipur.
- British suppression included deployment of army battalions and armoured vehicles.
- The revolt accelerated British withdrawal and reinforced civilian supremacy over the military.