Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose — Indian Nationalist and Revolutionary Leader
This is about a time when India was going through one of its toughest periods in history. 170 years of colonial rule had weakened India significantly. Even though there was a wave of revolution spreading across the country, it was the voice of freedom fighter Subhash Chandra Bose, a leading figure in India’s struggle for independence, that stirred the world with his “Jai Hind” slogan and made India’s strength recognized.
Neta ji: Early Life and Education
Subhash Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, to father Jankinath Bose and mother Prabhavati. His father was a respected lawyer, and his mother was a strong-minded, influential woman who had a significant impact on Subhash’s character. Subhash received his early education in Cuttack and, after completing his intermediate studies, moved to Presidency College in Calcutta. Despite being suspended for a year due to his revolutionary ideas, he graduated in 1919 with second rank from the University of Calcutta.
His father wished for him to become an ICS (Indian Civil Services) officer. After much consideration, Subhash went to England on September 15, 1919, to take the ICS exam. He enrolled in the Kit’s William Hall to study mental and moral sciences. As a result, he ranked fourth in the ICS merit list in 1920. However, he was more drawn to the teachings of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati and Aurobindo, and couldn’t accept British rule. Therefore, he resigned from the ICS and, after receiving a letter from his mother Prabhavati expressing her trust in his decision, returned to India in 1921.
Mahatma Gandhi and the Non-Cooperation Movement
After returning to India, following the advice of his mentor, Subhash Chandra Bose went to Bombay to meet Mahatma Gandhi. Hearing Gandhi’s thoughts, he was advised to work with Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das in Calcutta. Subhash returned to Calcutta and joined the ongoing Non-Cooperation Movement with Dasbabu. When Dasbabu became the Mayor of Calcutta, Subhash was appointed as the head of the Municipal Corporation. As soon as Subhash took charge, he began transforming Calcutta, which further boosted his reputation on a national level. Through his skills and strong ideas, Subhash Chandra Bose quickly became one of the most important and popular young leaders in the country.
Leadership of Subhash Chandra Bose in the Congress
Subhash Chandra Bose, along with Jawaharlal Nehru, started the Independence League within the Congress to promote youth involvement. In 1927, he led the protests against the Simon Commission in Calcutta. He was also a member of the eight-member committee formed to draft a constitution in response to the Simon Commission. On January 26, 1931, while leading a massive public gathering in Calcutta demanding complete independence and hoisting the national flag, he was arrested by the colonial authorities after they used a baton charge. After Mahatma Gandhi’s negotiation led to the release of all prisoners, Subhash was disappointed when Bhagat Singh was not freed. He tried to pressure the British government for Bhagat Singh’s release, but was unsuccessful, leading to ideological differences between him and the Congress as well as Gandhi.
Over his lifetime, Subhash was imprisoned eleven times. He was sometimes sent abroad for medical treatment due to health issues. From 1933 to 1936, he was in Europe for treatment at Almora jail, where he met with various important global leaders. In 1934, after hearing of his father’s death, he returned to Calcutta but was immediately arrested and later sent back to Europe. While in Austria in 1934, Subhash married Emilie Schenkl, and they had a daughter, Anita Bose, who was only two and a half years old at the time of his death.
In 1938, Subhash Chandra Bose was elected president at the Haripura Congress session. During his term, he established the Planning Commission and founded a Science Council chaired by the renowned scientist Sir Vishveshwariah. Although he was re-elected as president in the next Congress session, he resigned out of respect for Mahatma Gandhi and formed the Forward Bloc within the Congress on May 3, 1939.
World War II and the Azad Hind Fauj
During World War II, Subhash Chandra Bose intensified his revolutionary activities and opposition to British rule, leading to his house arrest. However, he cleverly escaped in disguise. He traveled from Peshawar and Kabul to Moscow and then to Germany, where he established the Azad Hind Radio. During his time in Germany, he met with Hitler. When he didn’t receive substantial support from Germany, he turned to the sea route towards Central Asia. In Singapore, he took leadership of the Indian National Army (INA), which had been formed by Rash Behari Bose. In Japan, he established the INA and also created the Rani of Jhansi Regiment for women. While addressing the Indian community, he famously declared, “Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Mai Tumhe Azaadi Dunga.”
Subhash Chandra Bose’s personality was so compelling that it captivated the entire world. Despite the challenging conditions, he never gave up and continued to fight for India’s independence and dignity until the end.
Death of Subhash Chandra Bose under Mysterious Circumstances
On July 6, 1944, in a radio broadcast, Subhash Chandra Bose referred to Gandhi as ‘Father of the Nation,’ and Gandhi addressed him as ‘Netaji.’ After Japan’s defeat in World War II, Bose was looking for alternative routes and on August 18, 1945, headed towards Russia. However, according to evidence, his plane crashed during the journey, severely injuring him. He is said to have died on August 18, 1945, in a military hospital in Taihoku.
The Japanese authorities stated that his ashes were preserved at the Renkōji Temple in Tokyo. Since India’s independence, three commissions have been set up to investigate the truth about his death, but the exact details remain unclear. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose continues to resonate in every heartbeat of India. His ideas and principles remain an enduring part of our ideals, and it is now our collective responsibility to keep his spirit alive and celebrated.
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