UPSC Civil Services Examination
UPSC Notes [GS-I]
Topic: Subhas Chandra Bose - NCERT Notes
As an Indian Nationalist, Subhash Chandra Bose made significant attempts to defy colonialism. He is one of
those great freedom fighters, whom the nation remembers always. For the IAS Exam, knowing about
remarkable freedom fighters and nationalist leaders is important.
This article will provide relevant facts about Subhash Chandra Bose.
Who was Subhash Chandra Bose?
Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the most eminent freedom fighters of India.
Born in Cuttack, then in Bengal Province into an affluent family. Educated in Calcutta acquiring a
degree in philosophy. Selected for the Indian Civil Services (ICS) but refused to take up service
since he did not want to serve the British government.
Bose joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1921. He also started a newspaper called
‘Swaraj’.
He was the President of the All India Youth Congress and also the Secretary of the Bengal State
Congress. In 1924, he became the CEO of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation. In 1930, he became
the Mayor of Calcutta.
Bose authored the book ‘The Indian Struggle’ which covers the Indian independence movement
from 1920 to 1942. The book was banned by the British government.
He coined the term ‘Jai Hind’. His charisma and powerful personality inspired many people into the
freedom struggle and continues to inspire Indians. He was called Netaji.
Subhash Chandra Bose’s Role in Indian Independence Struggle
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 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 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.
Death of Subhash Chandra Bose
Bose died of third-degree burns which he suffered in a plane crash in Taiwan on 18 August 1945.
However, many in India refused to believe that he had died.
Many enquiry committees were tasked with finding out what happened on that day.
The Figgess Report (1946) and the Shah Nawaz Committee (1956) concluded that Bose died in the
plane crash in Taiwan.
The Khosla Commission (1970) also concurred with the previous reports.
But the Mukherjee Commission (2005) said that Bose’s death could not be proved. This report was
rejected by the government.
