Births on January 23

Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian activist and politician (d. 1945)

Subhas Chandra Bose: A Complex Legacy of Indian Nationalism

Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945), widely revered in India as Netaji, was an impassioned Indian nationalist whose unwavering defiance against British colonial rule profoundly resonated with millions. The honorific "Netaji," meaning "Respected Leader" in Hindustani, was first bestowed upon Bose in Germany in early 1942 by the Indian soldiers of the Indische Legion and by German and Indian officials associated with the Special Bureau for India in Berlin. This title is now universally used across India, reflecting his enduring influence. While celebrated for his patriotism and radical pursuit of India's independence, Bose's wartime collaborations with Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan cast a long shadow, leading to a legacy marked by complexities surrounding authoritarianism, questions of anti-Semitism, and military setbacks.

Early Life and Political Awakening

Born into a prosperous and influential Bengali family in Cuttack, Odisha (then part of the British Raj), Subhas Bose enjoyed a life of privilege. His early education was markedly Anglocentric, a common pathway for affluent Indian families seeking advancement under British rule. Following his collegiate studies, he was dispatched to England to undertake the highly competitive Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination – a coveted entry into the elite administrative bureaucracy of the British Raj. Bose distinguished himself by succeeding with remarkable distinction in the crucial first examination. However, in a profound act of nationalist conviction, he deliberately chose not to sit for the routine final exam, declaring that serving the cause of Indian nationalism was a far higher calling than serving the British Empire.

Returning to India in 1921, Bose immediately immersed himself in the burgeoning nationalist movement. He initially joined forces with Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, the principal political party striving for independence. Within the Congress, Bose aligned himself closely with Jawaharlal Nehru, leading a progressive faction that advocated for more radical changes. This group was less inclined towards gradual constitutional reforms and far more open to socialist ideologies, aiming for a fundamentally transformed and equitable India post-independence.

Rise and Conflict within the Indian National Congress

Bose's meteoric rise within the Indian National Congress was undeniable. His charismatic leadership, intellectual prowess, and unwavering commitment to complete independence quickly made him a prominent figure. He ascended to the prestigious position of Congress president in 1938. His popularity was such that he was re-elected for a second term in 1939, triumphing over a candidate backed by Mahatma Gandhi.

However, this re-election precipitated a significant schism within the Congress leadership, particularly with Gandhi himself. The points of contention were multifaceted:

• Future Federation: Differences emerged over the proposed future federation of British India with the princely states, with Bose holding strong views on a unified, sovereign India.
• Approach to Non-Violence: A deeper discomfort grew among Congress leaders regarding Bose's 'negotiable' attitude towards non-violence. While Gandhi championed Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) as the sole path, Bose increasingly believed that armed struggle might be necessary to achieve complete independence, especially in the context of an impending global conflict.
• Leadership Style: Concerns were also raised about Bose's perceived desire for greater powers and a more centralised leadership within the party.

The culmination of these ideological and strategic differences led to a crisis known as the Tripuri Session of 1939. A large majority of the Congress Working Committee members, aligned with Gandhi, resigned in protest against Bose's policies and leadership. Faced with this widespread opposition, Bose ultimately resigned as president and was subsequently expelled from the party. Following his ousting, he established the All India Forward Bloc in 1939, intending to consolidate radical elements within the nationalist movement.

Wartime Alliances: Seeking External Support

Convinced that India could only achieve independence by leveraging external support against the British, Bose made a daring escape from house arrest in Calcutta in January 1941, undertaking an extraordinary journey through Afghanistan and the Soviet Union before arriving in Nazi Germany in April 1941. In Germany, the Nazi leadership offered what appeared to be unexpected, albeit ultimately equivocal, sympathy for India's independence aspirations. Their primary focus remained the European war theatre, with India's independence being a secondary consideration, if at all.

German funds were utilised to establish the Free India Centre in Berlin, which primarily served as a propaganda base. Crucially, a force known as the 3,000-strong Free India Legion (also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, but distinct from the later force in Southeast Asia) was recruited from among Indian prisoners of war (POWs) captured by Erwin Rommel's Afrika Korps. These soldiers were intended to serve under Bose, though their operational impact was limited. While peripheral to their main strategic goals, the Germans did inconclusively consider a land invasion of India throughout 1941.

By the spring of 1942, as the German army became mired in the protracted conflict in Russia, Bose recognised that Germany's ability to directly aid India was diminishing. His focus shifted to Southeast Asia, where Imperial Japan had achieved rapid and stunning military victories against Allied forces. In late May 1942, during his sole documented meeting with Adolf Hitler, the German dictator reportedly offered to arrange a submarine for Bose to travel to Asia. During this period, Bose also became a father; his Austrian companion, Emilie Schenkl, gave birth to their daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff.

Strongly identifying with the Axis powers as strategic allies against the British, Bose embarked on an incredibly perilous journey. In February 1943, he boarded a German U-boat in Kiel. Off the coast of Madagascar, in a remarkable feat of wartime transfer, he was moved to a Japanese submarine. He finally disembarked in Japanese-held Sumatra (present-day Indonesia) in May 1943, ready to pursue his vision from a new theatre of war.

Leading the Indian National Army (INA) in Southeast Asia

Upon his arrival in Southeast Asia, Subhas Chandra Bose took command and revamped the Indian National Army (INA), also known as Azad Hind Fauj. This military force primarily comprised Indian prisoners of war from the British Indian Army who had been captured by the Japanese during their swift campaigns, notably after the fall of Singapore in February 1942. The initial concept for the INA had been conceived by Captain Mohan Singh, an Indian officer captured by the Japanese, but it gained significant momentum and purpose under Bose's charismatic leadership.

With crucial Japanese support, Bose declared the formation of the Provisional Government of Free India (Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind) in October 1943. This government was nominally headquartered on the Japanese-occupied Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which were symbolically renamed "Shaheed" (Martyr) and "Swaraj" (Self-rule) by Bose. While Bose was undeniably driven and possessed immense charisma, historical assessments indicate that the Japanese military leadership, despite their alliance, viewed him as lacking significant military prowess, and his soldierly endeavours were destined to be short-lived.

The INA, under Bose's leadership, participated in the Japanese U-Go offensive against British India in late 1944 and early 1945, notably in the fierce battles of Imphal and Kohima. These campaigns proved to be a turning point in the Southeast Asian theatre of World War II. The Allied forces, particularly the British Indian Army, successfully repelled the Japanese attack. The INA, often ill-equipped and undersupplied, suffered heavy casualties; almost half of the participating Japanese forces and the INA contingent were killed. The remaining INA units were forced to retreat down the Malay Peninsula and eventually surrendered with the British recapture of Singapore in September 1945.

Death and Enduring Legacy

Following the collapse of Japanese resistance in Southeast Asia, Subhas Chandra Bose sought to escape once more, this time reportedly heading for Manchuria with the aim of seeking refuge and future support from the Soviet Union, which he believed had turned anti-British. However, his journey was cut tragically short. Official accounts state that he died from third-degree burns received when his overloaded plane, a Japanese Ki-21 bomber, crashed in Japanese-occupied Taiwan (Formosa) on August 18, 1945. Despite this widely accepted account, a significant number of Indians, deeply attached to the idea of his eventual return to secure India's independence, did not believe the crash had occurred, leading to persistent theories and controversies surrounding his death that continue to this day.

The Legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

Subhas Chandra Bose's legacy in India remains profoundly mixed and continues to be debated:

• Heroic Nationalist: For many Indians, he embodies the "muscular hero" of the independence movement, whose audacious actions and willingness to challenge British authority by any means necessary served as a potent counterpoint to the quarter-century of peaceful negotiation and non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi. His saga is seen as a vital, if alternative, path to India's freedom.
• INA Trials and Decolonisation: The British Raj, though never seriously threatened militarily by the INA's operations, faced a significant political challenge after the war. The trials of 300 INA officers for treason at Delhi's Red Fort in late 1945 sparked widespread public outrage across India. This massive opposition, combined with a growing mood in Britain favoring rapid decolonization, ultimately forced the British government to backtrack on the charges, effectively conceding to Indian nationalist sentiment and accelerating the timeline for independence.
• Ethical Dilemmas: Conversely, Bose's collaborations with Japanese Fascism and Nazism pose serious ethical dilemmas. His reluctance to publicly condemn the horrific excesses of German anti-Semitism from 1938 onwards, or to offer refuge in India to its victims, remains a deeply troubling aspect of his historical record. Critics argue that his singular focus on achieving Indian independence led him to make pragmatic alliances with regimes whose ideologies were antithetical to universal human rights and democratic values.

In conclusion, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose stands as one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in India's struggle for independence, a man revered for his patriotism and courage, yet scrutinised for his controversial choices in a turbulent global conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions About Subhas Chandra Bose

Who was Subhas Chandra Bose?

Subhas Chandra Bose was a prominent Indian nationalist leader during India's freedom struggle against British rule. He is widely known for his radical approach to achieving independence, including seeking alliances with Axis powers during World War II, and for leading the Indian National Army (INA).

Why is Subhas Chandra Bose called Netaji?

The honorific "Netaji," meaning "Respected Leader," was first used for Subhas Chandra Bose in Germany in early 1942 by Indian soldiers of the Indische Legion and German officials. It gained widespread popularity and is now commonly used throughout India to refer to him, signifying his esteemed position in the nation's history.

What was the Indian National Army (INA)?

The Indian National Army (INA), also known as Azad Hind Fauj, was a military force formed during World War II. It was primarily composed of Indian prisoners of war captured by the Japanese in Southeast Asia. Under Subhas Chandra Bose's leadership, the INA aimed to fight against the British to secure India's independence, with support from Imperial Japan.

What role did Subhas Chandra Bose play in World War II?

During World War II, Subhas Chandra Bose sought military and political support from Nazi Germany and later Imperial Japan to liberate India from British rule. He established the Free India Centre in Berlin and led the Indian National Army (INA) in Southeast Asia, participating in campaigns against the British Indian Army, notably in the battles of Imphal and Kohima.

How did Subhas Chandra Bose die?

According to official accounts, Subhas Chandra Bose died on August 18, 1945, from third-degree burns sustained when his overloaded Japanese plane crashed in Taiwan. However, the circumstances of his death have been a subject of ongoing controversy and speculation in India for decades, with many not believing the official narrative.

What is Subhas Chandra Bose's legacy in India?

Subhas Chandra Bose's legacy is complex and debated. He is revered by many as a national hero who inspired intense patriotism and advocated for a "muscular" approach to independence. However, his wartime alliances with Nazi Germany and Fascist Japan, as well as his stance on their ideologies, pose significant ethical questions and remain a contentious aspect of his historical assessment.