Neta Ji Subhas Chandra Bose
Introduction –
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the most important figures in Indian history. He was a revolutionary leader who fought for India’s freedom from British rule. He was a man of great intellect, courage, and vision. Netaji was born in Cuttack, Orissa, on January 23, 1897, and died on August 18, 1945. In his brief but eventful life, he accomplished many things that continue to inspire people even today. In this blog, we will discuss the life and achievements of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in detail.
Childhood and Early Life –
Subhas Chandra Bose was born in a Bengali family in Cuttack, Orissa. His father, Janakinath Bose, was a prominent lawyer, and his mother, Prabhavati Devi, was a homemaker. Bose was the ninth of fourteen children in the family. From a young age, he was a bright and intelligent child. He excelled in academics and was also an excellent athlete.
Bose completed his schooling at the Ravenshaw Collegiate School in Cuttack. He later went on to study at the Presidency College in Calcutta, where he obtained a degree in Philosophy. Bose was deeply influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and became a strong advocate of Indian nationalism.
Entry into Politics –
Bose joined the Indian National Congress in the early 1920s and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1923, he was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation. He was just 26 years old at the time, making him the youngest executive officer in the history of the corporation.
Bose was a vocal critic of British rule in India and was also critical of Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to Indian independence. He believed that India needed a more radical approach to gain freedom. In 1939, Bose was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress. However, he resigned from the post the following year after differences with the party’s leadership.
Formation of the Forward Bloc –
In 1939, Bose formed the Forward Bloc, a socialist political group that advocated for a more aggressive approach to Indian independence. The Forward Bloc became a powerful force in Indian politics, and Bose was able to mobilize a large number of people behind his cause.
Bose’s disagreements with the Congress leadership led to his expulsion from the party in 1939. He then founded the All India Forward Bloc, which became a powerful political force in Bengal and other parts of India.
The Indian National Army –
In 1941, Bose left India and traveled to Germany, where he sought the support of the Axis powers in India’s struggle for freedom. He met with Adolf Hitler and formed the Indian Legion, which was made up of Indian prisoners of war who had fought on the side of the Germans.
The Indian Legion was later absorbed into the Japanese army, and Bose became the leader of the Indian National Army (INA). The INA was a force of around 40,000 soldiers who fought alongside the Japanese in the Burma campaign. Bose was successful in recruiting soldiers from the British Indian army, and the INA was a major force in the struggle for India’s independence.
Death and Legacy –
Bose’s death in a plane crash in 1945 is still shrouded in mystery. Some believe that he did not die in the crash and lived the rest of his life in anonymity. However, the official version of the events is that he died in the crash.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is a revered figure in Indian history. His contribution to India’s independence struggle is unparalleled, and he will always be remembered as a hero and a visionary. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians.
Unknown facts about Subhas Chandra Bose –
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is a well-known figure in Indian history, but there are many unknown facts about his life that are not widely known. Here are some interesting and lesser-known facts about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose:
- Netaji was an excellent athlete and played cricket for his college team. He was also a skilled boxer and won several competitions.
- In 1921, at the age of 24, Bose was the youngest member to be elected to the Calcutta Municipal Corporation.
- Bose was not happy with the Gandhi-Irwin Pact of 1931 and was critical of Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to Indian independence.
- Bose went on a hunger strike in jail in 1939 to protest against his detention by the British. The strike lasted for 11 days and resulted in his release.
- Netaji was the first Indian to be elected as the President of the Indian National Congress twice – in 1938 and 1939.
- In 1942, Bose escaped from house arrest in India and traveled to Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.
- While in Germany, Bose worked with the Axis powers and formed the Indian Legion, which fought against the British in North Africa and the Middle East.
- Bose’s most famous slogan was “Jai Hind,” which he used to inspire his troops in the Indian National Army.
- Netaji’s mysterious death in a plane crash in 1945 is still a subject of debate and speculation. Some believe that he did not die in the crash and lived the rest of his life in anonymity.
- Bose was a visionary leader who believed in the unity of all Indians, regardless of their caste or religion. He was also a proponent of women’s rights and believed that they should have equal opportunities and rights.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was a complex and fascinating personality whose life and legacy continue to inspire generations of Indians. These lesser-known facts about him offer a glimpse into the many facets of his life and his unwavering dedication to the cause of India’s freedom.