Subhas Chandra Bose: The Patriot and Freedom Fighter

1. Early Life and Education

• Subhas Chandra Bose was born into an affluent Bengali family on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa.

2. Joining the Freedom Struggle

• During the civil disobedience movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, Bose resigned from the Indian Civil Service (ICS) in April 1921 to join the fight for India's freedom.
• He became a member of the youth wing of the Congress Party and quickly rose through the party's ranks due to his eloquence and leadership skills.

3. Mentorship of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das

• Early in his political career, Subhas Bose acknowledged Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das as his political mentor.

4. Frequent Imprisonment

• Over a span of 20 years, Bose was imprisoned eleven times by the British, with his first arrest occurring in 1921.
• In 1924, he was exiled to Mandalay, Burma, after a brief period of incarceration.

5. Global Advocacy for Indian Freedom

• During his stay in Europe from 1933 to 1936, Bose passionately championed India's cause for freedom while engaging with prominent European statesmen.

6. Marriage and Political Leadership

• In 1937, Bose married Emilie Schenkl, his secretary.
• He was twice elected president of the Indian National Congress (in 1938 and 1939). However, he later resigned from this post due to disagreements with Mahatma Gandhi and formed the Forward Block.

7. Embrace of Armed Revolution

• Subhas Chandra Bose's principles and philosophy played a pivotal role in his shift toward armed revolution during the latter part of his political career.

8. Dissatisfaction with Peaceful Protests

• Initially, Bose followed the Gandhian approach to the freedom movement. However, years of travel in Europe and his maturing perspective led him to become disillusioned with the Indian National Congress's methods.

9. Authoritarian Vision for India

• Bose believed that achieving freedom required a more assertive approach to oust the British from India.
• He envisioned an authoritarian state, influenced by the likes of Soviet Russia and Kemal Atatürk's Turkey, as a means to eradicate poverty and social inequalities in a diverse country like India.

10. Emphasis on Socialism and Industrialization

• Bose was an advocate of socialism and believed that industrialization and Soviet-style five-year plans were essential for India's progress.

11. Mass Civil Disobedience during World War II

• When World War II began in 1939, Bose initiated a campaign of mass civil disobedience to protest the Viceroy's decision to involve India in the war.
• He was placed under house arrest, but with the help of his cousin Sishir Bose, he managed to escape and reach Moscow.

12. Leadership of the Indian National Army (INA)

• Bose sought assistance from Nazi Germany, but due to Hitler's indifference and other German leaders, he left for Japan.
• Subhas Chandra Bose assumed leadership of the Indian National Army (INA), established by Rash Behari Bose.

13. INA's Campaign

• With material support from the Japanese forces, the INA launched an attack on British forces in Manipur and Nagaland in northeastern India. They raised the National Flag in Moirang, Manipur.
• However, following Japan's defeat, the INA's offensive weakened, and Bose retreated to Malaya.

14. Mysterious Demise

• Subhas Chandra Bose allegedly died in a plane crash over Taiwan while en route to Tokyo on August 18, 1945.