Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

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The great revolutionary Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose led an Indian national, political and military force against Britain and the Western powers, during World War II. Bose was one of the most prominent leaders in the Indian independence movement and is a legendary figure in India, even today. Affectionately called, Netaji, he was one of the most prominent leaders of Indian freedom struggle. Though, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru have garnered much of the credit for successful culmination of Indian freedom struggle, yet, the contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose is no less. Ironically, he has been denied his rightful place in the annals of Indian history. He founded Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj), to overthrow British Empire from India and rose to acquire legendary status among Indian masses, in his life time only.

This biography of the great man, known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, is a tribute to his services for the nation. This is an adventurous academic endeavour, in its own right. This comprehensive book is an asset for all historians, political scientists, other scholars and researchers.

SAUD AKHTAR (b. 1964) a post- graduate in literature, he is a prolific writer and scholar of repute. Apart from it, he is a seasoned journalist, working for several reputed newspapers. He began his career from 'National Herald, daily and soon rose to new heights in the area of journalism. He has extensively written on a variety of subjects, including social issues, politics and legal matters. He is devoted to serious writing and research. At present, he is associated with a research organisation in Delhi and represents several foreign periodicals in India. He has several books to his credit. Of late, he has turned his attention towards some significant subjects, including Biographical Studies. This is his ambitious work on the life of a great man, who has left his imprints on history. Currently, he is engaged in accomplishing his research project on: Tradition of Biographies in India.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was a great revolutionary, who led an Indian national, political and military force against Britain and the Western powers, during World War II. Bose was one of the most prominent leaders in the Indian independence movement and is a legendary figure in India, even today. Affectionately called, Netaji, he was one of the most prominent leaders of Indian freedom struggle. Though, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru have garnered much of the credit for successful culmination of Indian freedom struggle, yet, the contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose is no less. Ironically, he has been denied his rightful place in the annals of Indian history. He founded Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj), to overthrow British Empire from India and rose to acquire legendary status among Indian masses, in his life time only. He was born on January 23, 1897 in Cuttack, Orissa. His father Janaki Nath Bose was a famous lawyer and his mother Prabhavati Devi was a pious, religious lady. He was the ninth child among fourteen siblings of his parents. He was a brilliant student, right from the childhood. He topped the matriculation examination in Bengal province and graduated with a First Class in Philosophy from the Scottish Churches College in Calcutta. He was strongly influenced by Swami Vivekananda's teachings and was known for his patriotic zeal as a student. To fulfil his parents' wishes he went to England. In England, he appeared for the Indian Civil Service competitive examination, and came out fourth in order of merit. However, he was deeply disturbed by the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre, and left his Civil Services apprenticeship, midway to return to India.

After returning to India, Subhas came under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the Indian National Congress. On Gandhiji's instructions, he started working under Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, whom he later acknowledged as his political guru. Soon he showed his leadership mettle and gained his way up in the Congress hierarchy. He asserted that the people would be satisfied with nothing short of complete independence. Subhas also announced the formation of the Independence League. He was jailed during Civil Disobedience movement. He was banished from India to Europe. He took steps to establish centres in different European capitals, with a view to promoting politico-cultural contacts, between India and Europe. On his return, he was elected President of the Congress. He was re-elected, as Congress president. Later, he formed a progressive group, known as the Forward Block.

Bose disappeared from Calcutta and reached Germany via Afghanistan. He sought cooperation of Germany and Japan against British Empire. Later, reaching Singapore, he organised the Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army), which liberated Andeman and Nicobar Islands. Azad Hind Fauj crossed the Burma Border, and reached Indian mainland. However, defeat of Japan and Germany in the Second World War, forced INA to retreat. Bose was reportedly killed in an air crash over Taiwan on August 18, 1945. Though, it is widely believed that he was not actually dead, however, not much information could be availed about him after that and his death remained a mystery.

This biography of the great man, known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, is a tribute to his services for the nation. This is an adventurous academic endeavour, in its own right. A team of researchers and compilers has worked for a good period of time to accomplish the project. For this purpose, dozens of books by eminent authors and editors have been consulted and referred to. I have benefited from various works and websites, liberally, in order to illustrate and enrich this effort of mine. I am thankful to all of them.

Hopefully, this humble work would be able to stir the calm waters in the society and awaken people about this great man, who has left a mark on the history of the nation. All due recognition and enlightening comments are awaited.

**Contents and Sample Pages**