Who is Subhas Chandra Bose?
Today let’s talk about Subhas Chandra Bose Biography: Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa (now Odisha), into a prosperous Bengali family. His father, Janakinath Bose, was a successful lawyer who later received the title of “Rai Bahadur” from the British government. His mother, Prabhavati Devi, was a devout and strong-willed woman who managed a large household. Subhas was the ninth child among fourteen siblings in a family that valued education and public service.
Growing up in a middle-class Bengali household during the height of British colonial rule, young Subhas was exposed to both traditional Indian values and Western education. His childhood was marked by a strong sense of spirituality, influenced by his mother’s devotion and the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, whose writings would profoundly impact his worldview.
Subhas Chandra Bose Biography
Subhas Chandra Bose Education and Intellectual Formation
Bose’s academic brilliance manifested early. He attended the Protestant European School in Cuttack, where he excelled despite being one of the few Indian students. He later joined Ravenshaw Collegiate School, where his nationalist sentiments began to take shape. A defining moment came when he learned about the mistreatment of Indians by British teachers, which deeply disturbed his sense of justice.
In 1913, Bose enrolled at Presidency College in Calcutta (now Kolkata), one of India’s premier educational institutions. Here, he studied philosophy and demonstrated exceptional intellectual capabilities. However, his time at Presidency was cut short by a pivotal incident in 1916. When Professor E.F. Oaten made derogatory remarks about Indian students and allegedly physically assaulted some of them, Bose led a protest that resulted in Oaten being beaten. Bose was expelled from the college, though he was later allowed to continue his studies at Scottish Church College, from where he graduated with a first-class degree in philosophy in 1918.
Following his father’s wishes, Bose traveled to England in 1919 to prepare for the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination. He enrolled at Fitzwilliam Hall, Cambridge University, to study for the Civil Service. In 1920, he passed the ICS examination with distinction, ranking fourth. However, his heart was not in serving the British administration. Influenced by the nationalist movement back home and inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, Bose made the momentous decision to resign from the ICS in April 1921, writing to his brother that “the best way of ending a government is to withdraw from it.”
Subhas Chandra Bose Entry into Politics and Early Nationalist Activities
Returning to India in 1921, Bose immediately plunged into the independence movement. He sought guidance from Chittaranjan Das, a prominent Bengali leader and lawyer who became his political mentor. Das, known as “Deshbandhu” (Friend of the Nation), was a leading figure in the Indian National Congress and founded the Swaraj Party. Under Das’s tutelage, Bose learned the intricacies of political organization and mass mobilization.
Bose began working on Das’s newspaper, “Forward,” and quickly established himself as a dynamic organizer and passionate speaker. His work involved mobilizing youth, organizing strikes, and promoting the message of complete independence from British rule. His activities soon attracted the attention of British authorities.
Between 1921 and 1941, Bose was imprisoned eleven times by the British government, spending a total of about seven years in various Indian jails. His first major imprisonment came in December 1921, when he was jailed for six months for alleged association with violent activities. These periods of incarceration, rather than breaking his spirit, strengthened his resolve and provided him time for deep reflection and study.
Subhas Chandra Bose Rise Within the Congress and Ideological Differences
Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Bose rose rapidly through the ranks of the Indian National Congress. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation when Das became its mayor in 1924. After Das’s untimely death in 1925, Bose emerged as a leader of Bengal’s nationalist movement.
Bose’s political philosophy began to diverge from the mainstream Congress ideology, particularly from Gandhi’s approach. While deeply respectful of Gandhi’s moral authority, Bose believed that non-violence alone would not secure India’s freedom. He advocated for more aggressive methods and was influenced by socialist and leftist ideologies. He believed in the necessity of complete political and economic independence, not just Dominion status within the British Empire.
In 1928, Bose founded the Independence League, advocating for complete independence (Purna Swaraj) rather than Dominion status. He became increasingly popular among the youth wing of the Congress, who saw in him a more radical and action-oriented leader compared to the moderate old guard.
Subhas Chandra Bose Congress Presidency and Split
Bose’s popularity reached its zenith when he was elected President of the Indian National Congress at its Haripura session in 1938. His presidency was marked by efforts to modernize the Congress, establish a national planning committee, and prepare for a more confrontational approach with the British.
He was re-elected president at the Tripuri session in 1939, defeating Gandhi’s preferred candidate, Pattabhi Sitaramayya. This election exposed the deep fissures within the Congress. Gandhi remarked that Sitaramayya’s defeat was his own defeat, indicating his disapproval of Bose’s election. The Congress Working Committee, dominated by Gandhi’s supporters, resigned en masse, making it impossible for Bose to function effectively as president.
Facing constant opposition and unable to form a working committee, Bose resigned from the presidency in April 1939. He then formed the Forward Bloc in May 1939, a faction within the Congress that advocated for immediate mass action and the consolidation of leftist forces. The Forward Bloc attracted youth, workers, and those dissatisfied with Congress’s moderate approach.
Subhas Chandra Bose Great Escape and Journey to Germany
When World War II broke out in September 1939, Britain declared India a belligerent nation without consulting Indian leaders. The Congress demanded immediate independence in exchange for war support, which Britain refused. Bose saw the war as an opportunity, believing that “England’s difficulty is India’s opportunity.”
In July 1940, Bose was arrested again and placed under house arrest in Calcutta. What followed was one of the most dramatic episodes in Indian history. On the night of January 16-17, 1941, Bose executed a daring escape from his house in Calcutta. Disguised as a Muslim insurance agent named Ziauddin, with his nephew Sisir Kumar Bose’s assistance, he slipped past British surveillance.
Bose traveled by car to Gomoh (now in Jharkhand), then took a train to Peshawar. From there, he crossed into Afghanistan with the help of a Pathan guide, traveling through treacherous terrain to Kabul. In Kabul, he met with officials from the Italian and German embassies. With their assistance, he traveled through the Soviet Union (with Soviet permission) and arrived in Berlin in April 1941.
Subhas Chandra Bose In Nazi Germany
Bose’s time in Germany from 1941 to 1943 remains controversial. He sought Germany’s support for India’s independence struggle, meeting with German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and even Adolf Hitler in May 1942. While Bose hoped to secure military and political support for India’s freedom, Hitler showed little genuine interest in Indian independence and made vague promises.
During his stay in Germany, Bose worked on several initiatives. He established the Free India Center in Berlin, which conducted propaganda activities promoting Indian independence. He also founded the Indian Legion (Azad Hind Fauj), composed of Indian prisoners of war captured by the Germans in North Africa, though this force numbered only about 3,000 men and saw limited action.
Bose also married Emily Schenkl, an Austrian woman who had worked as his secretary, in 1937 (though some accounts place the marriage in 1942 in Germany). They had a daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, born in 1942. Bose kept this marriage secret to avoid political complications.
By 1943, Bose realized that Germany would not provide substantial support for India’s liberation. His attention turned eastward to Japan, which controlled much of Southeast Asia and bordered India.
Subhas Chandra Bose Journey to Southeast Asia and the Indian National Army
In February 1943, Bose embarked on a perilous submarine journey from Germany to Southeast Asia. He traveled by German submarine to Madagascar, then transferred to a Japanese submarine, finally reaching Singapore in May 1943. This 90-day journey demonstrated his commitment to the cause of Indian independence.
In Singapore, Bose took over the leadership of the Indian Independence Movement in East Asia and, most significantly, the Indian National Army (INA). The INA had been initially formed by Captain Mohan Singh from Indian prisoners of war captured by the Japanese during their conquest of Malaya and Singapore. However, it had become ineffective due to internal conflicts and Japanese interference.
Bose reorganized and revitalized the INA with remarkable energy. On July 4, 1943, he gave his famous speech in Singapore in which he coined the slogan “Jai Hind” and made his passionate call: “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!” This rallying cry electrified Indians in Southeast Asia.
Under Bose’s leadership, the INA grew to approximately 43,000 troops, including a women’s regiment called the Rani of Jhansi Regiment, one of the first female infantry units in Asia. The army comprised not only prisoners of war but also volunteer Indian expatriates living in Southeast Asia who were inspired by Bose’s vision.
The Azad Hind Government
On October 21, 1943, Bose announced the formation of the Azad Hind Government (Provisional Government of Free India) in Singapore, with himself as Head of State, Prime Minister, and Minister of War and Foreign Affairs. This government was recognized by nine Axis powers and their allies: Germany, Japan, Italy, Croatia, Thailand, Burma, Manchukuo, China (Wang Jingwei regime), and the Philippines.
The Azad Hind Government issued its own currency, had its own civil code, and established a national bank. It also declared war on Britain and the United States. While the government had limited actual territory under its control, it represented a symbolic challenge to British rule and provided institutional structure to the freedom movement in Southeast Asia.
Bose’s administration in the Azad Hind territories demonstrated his vision for independent India. He implemented social reforms, promoted gender equality through women’s participation in the INA, and worked to eliminate caste discrimination within the army ranks.
Subhas Chandra Bose INA Campaign and the March on India
In March 1944, the INA, alongside Japanese forces, launched the historic march toward India as part of the larger U-Go offensive. The INA crossed into Indian territory, reaching as far as Kohima and Imphal in Nagaland and Manipur. For the first time since 1857, an organized Indian military force was fighting against British rule on Indian soil.
The campaign initially showed promise. On March 18, 1944, the INA captured the town of Moirang in Manipur, where Bose hoisted the Indian tricolor flag on Indian soil. This moment held immense symbolic importance, representing the first “liberated” territory of India.
However, the military campaign faced insurmountable challenges. The monsoon rains turned the region into an impassable quagmire. Supply lines were stretched thin, and soldiers suffered from malaria, dysentery, and malnutrition. The Battle of Imphal became one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Asian theater. The British and Allied forces, with superior numbers and logistics, mounted a strong defense.
By July 1944, the offensive had failed. The INA and Japanese forces were forced to retreat with heavy casualties. The INA lost approximately 6,000 men during the campaign. Despite the military defeat, the impact of the INA’s campaign on India’s psyche was profound. It demonstrated that Indians were willing to fight and die for their freedom, challenging the notion of British invincibility.
Subhas Chandra Bose Final Days and the Mystery of Death
As the war turned decisively against the Axis powers, Bose’s position became increasingly precarious. Japan was facing defeat on all fronts, and by 1945, Allied forces were advancing through Southeast Asia. Bose moved his headquarters from Singapore to Rangoon (Yangon) and later to Bangkok and Saigon as territories fell to the Allies.
On August 6 and 9, 1945, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. Japan announced its surrender on August 15, 1945. Bose needed to leave Southeast Asia urgently to avoid capture by British forces.
According to the official account, on August 18, 1945, Bose boarded a Japanese bomber aircraft at Taihoku (now Taipei), Taiwan, heading for Tokyo. The plane was reportedly overloaded and crashed shortly after takeoff. Bose allegedly suffered third-degree burns and died in a Japanese military hospital later that day. His body was reportedly cremated, and his ashes were taken to the Renkoji Temple in Tokyo, where they remain to this day.
However, Bose’s death has been surrounded by controversy and mystery for decades. Many refuse to believe he died in the plane crash, citing various inconsistencies.
Several commissions of inquiry have investigated his death. The Shah Nawaz Committee (1956), the Khosla Commission (1970), and most recently the Mukherjee Commission (2005) examined the evidence. While the first two accepted the crash theory, the Mukherjee Commission concluded that Bose did not die in the plane crash, though the Indian government rejected this finding.
Various theories have emerged over the years: that Bose escaped to the Soviet Union and died in a Soviet prison; that he returned to India as a sadhu (holy man) named Gumnami Baba who died in 1985; that he lived in hiding elsewhere. Declassified documents and testimonies have not definitively resolved the mystery, and the Indian government has been criticized for not releasing all files related to Bose.
Subhas Chandra Bose Legacy and Impact
Despite the controversial circumstances of his death, Subhas Chandra Bose’s impact on India’s independence movement was profound and lasting.
Military and Political Impact: The INA trials held by the British in the Red Fort, Delhi, in 1945-46 became a turning point in India’s freedom struggle. The British decision to court-martial INA officers for treason sparked massive protests across India. Indians of all political persuasions rallied in support of the INA soldiers, viewing them as patriots rather than traitors. The Royal Indian Navy mutiny of 1946 was partly inspired by the INA trials. These events demonstrated that the British could no longer rely on Indian armed forces to maintain colonial rule, hastening the end of the Raj.
Ideological Contribution: Bose’s emphasis on complete independence, rather than gradual reforms or Dominion status, influenced the Congress to adopt Purna Swaraj as its goal. His secular vision, demonstrated in the INA where soldiers of all religions fought together with the motto “Unity, Faith, Sacrifice,” provided a model for a united India.
Women’s Empowerment: The formation of the Rani of Jhansi Regiment showed Bose’s progressive views on women’s role in nation-building and combat, unprecedented in that era.
Socialist Vision: Bose’s advocacy for socialist economic policies influenced post-independence India’s development model, though his specific plans were never implemented.
National Symbol: Bose became an enduring symbol of resistance and militant nationalism. His famous quotes, including “Tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azadi dunga” (Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom), continue to inspire generations.
Controversies and Criticisms: Bose’s alliances with Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan have been sources of controversy. Critics argue that he compromised his principles by allying with fascist powers, though defenders contend he pragmatically sought support wherever available for India’s freedom, and that he was not sympathetic to Nazi ideology or Japanese imperialism but merely used them as means to an end.
Honours and Memorials: The Indian government has honored Bose in various ways. His birthday, January 23, is celebrated as Parakram Diwas (Day of Valor) in India. Numerous institutions, roads, airports, and buildings are named after him. The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata bears his name. However, debates continue about whether he has received adequate recognition compared to other freedom fighters.
Subhas Chandra Bose Personality and Character
Those who knew Bose described him as charismatic, disciplined, and intensely dedicated. He was a voracious reader with interests ranging from philosophy to military strategy. Despite his militant approach to politics, he was personally ascetic, living simply and dedicating himself entirely to the cause of independence.
Bose was an effective communicator and organizer. His speeches, delivered in Bengali, Hindi, and English, had the power to move audiences to tears and action. He possessed the rare ability to inspire loyalty and sacrifice among his followers.
His personal life revealed his human side. His secret marriage to Emily Schenkl and the daughter they had together showed his capacity for love and normal human relationships, even as he pursued his larger mission. He reportedly deeply regretted not being able to be a present father to his daughter Anita.
Conclusion
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose remains one of the most fascinating and complex figures in Indian history. A brilliant student who gave up a prestigious career, a politician who challenged the greatest leaders of his time, a military commander who led an army against the most powerful empire, and possibly a man whose final fate remains shrouded in mystery—Bose’s life reads like an epic.
His approach to India’s freedom struggle—combining political activism with armed resistance, seeking international alliances, and emphasizing complete independence—differed from Gandhi’s non-violent philosophy but complemented the overall movement. History has vindicated his belief that multiple approaches were necessary to end colonial rule.
Whether one agrees with all his methods or not, Netaji’s unwavering commitment to India’s freedom, his personal sacrifices, and his courage in the face of impossible odds have earned him a permanent place in the pantheon of India’s greatest patriots. His life poses enduring questions about the nature of freedom, the morality of means and ends in political struggle, and the price of liberation—questions that remain relevant today.
The mystery surrounding his death has, in some ways, added to his legendary status, keeping him alive in public imagination and debate decades after his reported death. As India continues to evolve as a nation, Netaji’s vision of a strong, independent, egalitarian India remains a reference point and source of inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about Subhas Chandra Bose
Why did Subhas Chandra Bose resign from the Indian Civil Service?
After passing the prestigious Indian Civil Service examination in 1920 with distinction (ranking fourth), Bose made the extraordinary decision to resign in April 1921. He was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement and the rising nationalist sentiment in India. Bose realized that serving in the British colonial administration would contradict his growing conviction that India must achieve complete independence. In a letter to his brother, he wrote that “the best way of ending a government is to withdraw from it.” This decision meant giving up one of the most coveted careers available to Indians at that time, demonstrating his commitment to the independence struggle over personal gain. The resignation was also influenced by his mentor Chittaranjan Das and his own philosophical beliefs about self-determination and freedom.
What was the Indian National Army (INA) and what was its significance?
The Indian National Army was an armed force formed from Indian prisoners of war and expatriates in Southeast Asia during World War II, reorganized and led by Subhas Chandra Bose from 1943 onwards. The INA grew to approximately 43,000 soldiers and included the groundbreaking Rani of Jhansi Regiment, one of Asia’s first female infantry units. The army fought alongside Japanese forces against the British in the Burma campaign and briefly entered Indian territory in 1944, capturing Moirang and hoisting the Indian flag. Though militarily unsuccessful, the INA’s significance was profound. The subsequent INA trials in 1945-46 at Delhi’s Red Fort sparked massive public support across India, with people viewing the soldiers as freedom fighters rather than traitors. This unity in support of INA officers transcended religious and political divisions and demonstrated that the British could no longer depend on the loyalty of Indian armed forces, significantly hastening the end of colonial rule and India’s independence in 1947.
How did Subhas Chandra Bose’s views differ from Mahatma Gandhi’s?
While both leaders shared the ultimate goal of Indian independence and Bose deeply respected Gandhi’s moral authority, their approaches differed fundamentally. Gandhi advocated for non-violent civil disobedience and believed that means were as important as ends, emphasizing moral and spiritual transformation. Bose, though not opposed to non-violence as a tactic, believed it was insufficient to secure freedom from British rule and advocated for more militant methods including armed struggle if necessary. Politically, Bose leaned toward socialism and believed in immediate, complete independence (Purna Swaraj), while Gandhi initially favored gradual constitutional reforms. Bose was willing to seek international support from any quarter, including Germany and Japan during World War II, viewing the war as an opportunity (“England’s difficulty is India’s opportunity”), whereas Gandhi opposed this approach. Their differences came to a head when Bose was re-elected Congress President in 1939 against Gandhi’s wishes, leading to Bose’s eventual resignation and formation of the Forward Bloc. Despite these differences, Bose always addressed Gandhi respectfully as “Father of the Nation” and acknowledged his role in mass mobilization.
Did Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose really die in a plane crash?
The official account states that Bose died on August 18, 1945, from injuries sustained in a plane crash in Taihoku (Taipei), Taiwan. According to this version, he was traveling to Tokyo when the overloaded Japanese bomber crashed shortly after takeoff, causing severe burns that proved fatal. His remains were reportedly cremated and the ashes taken to Renkoji Temple in Tokyo. However, this account has been controversial for decades. Many people, including family members and researchers, have questioned this narrative due to various inconsistencies and lack of conclusive evidence. Three government commissions investigated his death: the Shah Nawaz Committee (1956) and Khosla Commission (1970) accepted the crash theory, but the Mukherjee Commission (2005) concluded that Bose did not die in any plane crash—though the Indian government rejected this finding. Alternative theories suggest he may have escaped to the Soviet Union, returned to India as a holy man named Gumnami Baba, or lived elsewhere in hiding. The Indian government’s reluctance to declassify all files related to Bose has fueled speculation. The mystery remains unresolved, making it one of modern India’s most enduring enigmas.
What is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s legacy in modern India?
Netaji’s legacy remains powerful and multifaceted in contemporary India. He is celebrated as one of India’s greatest freedom fighters and a symbol of militant nationalism and unwavering patriotism. His birthday, January 23, is officially observed as Parakram Diwas (Day of Valor). His most famous slogan “Jai Hind” became a national greeting, and his call “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom” continues to inspire. The INA trials he indirectly catalyzed were crucial in accelerating India’s independence. His vision of a secular India where people of all religions worked together, as demonstrated in the INA, remains relevant. His progressive stance on women’s empowerment through the Rani of Jhansi Regiment was ahead of its time. Bose’s socialist economic ideas influenced post-independence planning, though not fully implemented. Numerous institutions, including Kolkata’s international airport, bear his name. However, his legacy also includes ongoing debates about his alliances with Axis powers and the mystery of his death, which keeps him perpetually in public discourse. Political parties across the spectrum claim his legacy, reflecting his enduring relevance. For many Indians, especially in Bengal, Netaji remains a larger-than-life figure whose commitment to freedom was absolute and whose story—including its unresolved ending—continues to captivate the national imagination.