Subhas Chandra Bose's Role in the Freedom Struggle

Subhas Chandra Bose, popularly known as Netaji, played a significant role in India's freedom struggle against British colonial rule. He was a charismatic and influential leader who dedicated his life to the cause of Indian independence. Here are the key aspects of Bose's role in the freedom struggle:

Early Life and Education:
- Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha, to a prominent Bengali family.
- He completed his education in England, where he was exposed to nationalist ideas and became deeply influenced by the works of Swami Vivekananda and Aurobindo Ghosh.

Rise as a Leader:
- Bose joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and quickly rose through its ranks, becoming the President of the party in 1938 and 1939.
- However, he grew disillusioned with the party's moderate approach and its failure to challenge British rule effectively.

Formation of Forward Bloc:
- In 1939, Bose formed the Forward Bloc, a radical faction within the INC, with the aim of achieving complete independence from British rule.
- The Forward Bloc advocated for mass mobilization, non-cooperation, and armed struggle against the British, which differentiated it from the Congress's nonviolent approach.

Escape from India:
- Bose was arrested by the British authorities several times, and during one of his arrests in 1940, he made a daring escape to Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.
- In Germany, he sought the support of Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime and established the Free India Center to garner international backing for India's independence.

Formation of the Indian National Army (INA):
- Bose traveled to Japan and, with Japanese assistance, formed the Indian National Army (INA) in 1942.
- The INA comprised Indian prisoners of war captured by the Japanese and aimed to liberate India from British rule by force.

Role in the INA and Military Campaigns:
- Bose assumed leadership of the INA and delivered inspirational speeches, invoking a sense of nationalistic pride and urging soldiers to fight for India's freedom.
- He led the INA in various military campaigns in Southeast Asia, including the successful capture of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the British.

Legacy and Impact:
- Bose's efforts and leadership inspired countless Indians to join the struggle for independence, and he became a symbol of resistance against British imperialism.
- His ideologies and actions laid the groundwork for future armed struggles against British rule and played a crucial role in the eventual achievement of independence in 1947.

In conclusion, Subhas Chandra Bose's role in the freedom struggle was instrumental in shaping the narrative of India's fight for independence. Through his leadership, he galvanized the masses, challenged the British rule through armed movements, and left a lasting impact on the collective consciousness of the Indian people.

Bose was sent to prison in Mandalay for nationalist activities in 1925. He was released in 1927 and became the INC’s general secretary.

He worked with Jawaharlal Nehru (Born on November 14 – 1889) and the two became the Congress Party’s young leaders gaining popularity among the people.

He advocated complete Swaraj and was in favour of the use of force to gain it.

He had differences with Gandhi and he wasn’t keen on non-violence as a tool for independence.

Bose stood for and was elected the party’s president in 1939 but was forced to resign due to differences with Gandhi’s supporters.

Bose’s ideology tilted towards socialism and leftist authoritarianism. He formed the All India Forward Bloc in 1939 as a faction within the Congress.

At the start of the Second World War, Bose protested against the government for not consulting Indians before dragging them into the war. He was arrested when he organised protests in Calcutta for the removal of the monument memorialising the Black Hole of Calcutta.

He was released after a few days but was kept under surveillance. He then made his escape from the country in 1941 to Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. He had previously travelled to Europe and met with Indian students and European political leaders.

In Germany, he met with the Nazi leaders and hoped to stage an armed struggle against the British to gain independence. He hoped to befriend the Axis powers since they were against his ‘enemy’, the British.

He founded the Indian Legion out of about 4500 Indian soldiers who were in the British army and had been taken prisoners by the Germans from North Africa.

In 1943, he left Germany for Japan disillusioned with the lukewarm German support for Azad Hind.

Bose’s arrival in Japan revived the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) which had been formed earlier with Japanese help.

Azad Hind or the Provisional Government of Free India was established as a government-in-exile with Bose as the head. Its headquarters was in Singapore. The INA was its military.

Bose motivated the troops with his fiery speeches. His famous quote is, “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!”

The INA supported the Japanese army in its invasion of northeast India and also took control of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, they were forced to retreat by the British forces following the Battles of Kohima and Imphal in 1944.