On 23rd January 2019, coinciding with the 122nd birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose, the Indian Prime Minister unveiled a museum dedicated to this legendary freedom fighter at Red Fort.
Subhash Chandra Bose: A Brief History
Subhash Chandra Bose is remembered as a stalwart in India’s fight for freedom against British rule. He twice held the position of President within the Indian National Congress in 1938 (Haripur) and 1939 (Tripuri). However, due to political differences, Bose resigned from his post in 1939 and organized the All India Forward Bloc, a faction of the Congress in Bengal aimed at consolidating the political left and securing support in his home state Bengal. His mass protests in Calcutta led to his arrest and subsequent house arrest, from which he escaped to Germany via Afghanistan.
Bose’s Disillusionment with Germany and Turn to Asia
Despite initially seeking German aid for India’s liberation, by 1943, Bose had lost faith in Germany’s ability to assist in this endeavor. This led him to look to Asia for assistance, where he eventually took control of the Indian National Army (INA). The INA gained significant support from expatriate Indians, and under its influence, Bose established the Azad Hind government, complete with its own currency, postal system, court system, and civil code. Notably, the Axis states recognized this government.
The Perception of Bose in the West vs India
While Bose is held in high esteem in India, the West’s opinion of him is much less favorable. This is predominantly due to his collaboration with the Axis powers during the final stages of the war. With considerable Japanese support, Bose led the INA forces against the British.
The Azad Hind and INA
In 1940, Bose was instrumental in continuing the fight against Britain. Despite setting up the Indian Legion in Berlin in 1941, Bose faced issues with the Germans when they attempted to use it against Russia. As a result, he decided to shift his base to South East Asia. From there, he issued the famous call ‘Delhi Chalo’, marking the formation of the Azad Hind Government and the INA on 21st October 1943.
Despite numerous differences with Gandhi, Bose sought the blessings of the ‘Father of the Nation’. The INA became a non-communal force, inclusive of all religions. It was also groundbreaking in its inclusion of a women’s detachment, named after the Rani of Jhansi.
End of INA and Disappearance of Bose
The INA’s campaign ended in failure, culminating with the collapse of the Japanese in 1945, which led to the re-imprisonment of INA soldiers. Meanwhile, Bose disappeared under mysterious circumstances, rumored to involve an alleged air crash.
Influence of INA on Indian Politics
Despite its downfall, the INA played a significant role in shaping Indian political sentiment. The tales of the INA’s courage inspired a wave of revolutionary fervor across the nation. Their actions led the British government to realize that Indian patriotism outweighed their allegiance to foreign powers.
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Subhash Chandra Bose | President of the Indian National Congress, Organizer of the All India Forward Bloc, Leader of the Indian National Army |
| Indian National Congress | Main political force in the struggle for Indian independence |
| All India Forward Bloc | Faction within the Congress aimed at consolidating the political left |
| Indian National Army | Military force led by Bose against the British, under the influence of which the Azad Hind government was established |
| Azad Hind Government | Government established by Bose complete with its own currency, postal system, court system, civil code |
Bose’s Contribution to India’s Independence
Subhash Chandra Bose will forever be remembered as a great military leader and organizer. His actions inspired a wave of revolutionary fervor across the nation and his ideals continue to inspire generations to this day.
