These weren’t just words. They were a war cry from a man who refused to kneel before an empire.
This is not just history, this is the legend of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
The Life and Legacy of a Legend 1897: The Birth of a Revolutionary
- Date of Birth: 23rd January 1897.
- Place: Cuttack, Odisha (then part of Bengal Presidency)
- Parents: Janakinath Bose (lawyer and government advocate), Prabhavati Dutt
1913–1920: The Scholar with a Fire in His Heart
- Schooled at Protestant European School and later Ravenshaw Collegiate.
- Joined Presidency College, Calcutta – expelled in 1916 for assaulting a British professor over racist comments. His fire had found direction.
- Later, completed graduation from Scottish Church College.
- Went to Cambridge University and cracked the ICS exam in 1920.
Spiritual & Political Awakening
- Deeply influenced by Swami Vivekananda: “Strength is life, weakness is death.”
- Found his political mentor in Chittaranjan Das, who taught him how to turn passion into policy.
He blended spiritual nationalism with realpolitik – a rare mix that shaped his journey.
1921–1939: Rise in the Indian National Congress
- Joined INC in 1921, mentored by C.R. Das.
- Arrested during Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921.
- Became editor of Forward, and later started Swaraj – using the pen as his first weapon.
- Elected President of INC at Haripura (1938) – the youngest ever!
- Advocated a National Planning Committee – spoke of economic self-reliance before it was fashionable.
- Re-elected in 1939 (Tripuri Session), but clashed with Gandhi’s leadership over approach to independence.
He resigned from INC and formed the Forward Bloc – a party for those who believed in complete, immediate independence.
1940–1941: The Great Escape
- Placed under house arrest by the British in 1940.
- Escaped in disguise as ‘Ziauddin’, reached Peshawar, and crossed into Afghanistan.
- Eventually made his way to Germany via Russia.
1941–1943: From Berlin to Tokyo – A Global Struggle
- In Germany, set up the Free India Centre and Azad Hind Radio.
- Formed the Indian Legion (Mukti Sena) from Indian POWs.
- Realizing Germany’s limitations, he secretly travelled by submarine to Japan, and reached Singapore in 1943.
1943–1945: Indian National Army (INA) & Azad Hind Government
- Took charge of INA, reorganized and gave it soul, structure, and slogans:
“Chalo Dilli!”, “Jai Hind!”, “Ittefaq, Itmad, Qurbani!” - Established Azad Hind Government in exile, declared war on Britain and the US.
- Formed the Rani Jhansi Regiment under Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan – the first all-women combat unit in India.
- Freed Andaman and Nicobar Islands, renamed them Swaraj and Shaheed.
- INA reached Moirang in Manipur, where for the first time the tricolour was hoisted on Indian soil by a foreign-trained army.
1945: The Tragic End That Sparked a New Beginning
- As Japan surrendered, INA lost its support and momentum.
- Bose reportedly died in a plane crash in Taiwan on 18 August 1945.
(Mystery still surrounds his death.)
But what followed was extraordinary:
- INA trials at Red Fort triggered a wave of sympathy.
- British Army saw loyalty shifting among Indian soldiers.
- Historians believe INA’s sacrifice was a major reason behind British decision to quit India in 1947.
Legacy and Reverence
- Bose is now remembered as Netaji, meaning “Respected Leader”.
- His birthday, January 23, is celebrated as Parakram Diwas.
- His iconic quotes are immortal:
- “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom”
- “Freedom is not given – it is taken”
- “It is blood alone that can pay the price of freedom”
Netaji’s life was a tale of vision, sacrifice, struggle, and national pride. He didn’t just fight the British — he shook their confidence.He didn’t just dream of freedom — he was willing to die for it.He was a man in a hurry — not to glory, but to free his people.
UPSC Prelims Questions
Q1. With reference to Subhash Chandra Bose, consider the following statements:
1. He resigned from the Indian Civil Services after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.
2. He was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress twice.
3. The Indian National Army was first formed by Subhash Chandra Bose.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
(Statement 3 is incorrect – INA was first formed by Mohan Singh in 1942; Bose later reorganized it.)
Q2. The slogan "Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom" is associated with:
a) Mahatma Gandhi
b) Bhagat Singh
c) Subhash Chandra Bose
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Q3. Consider the following pairs:
| Event | Associated with |
|---|---|
| Tripuri Session of INC, 1939 | Subhash Chandra Bose re-elected as INC President |
| Forward Bloc | Founded after disagreement with Gandhi |
| Rani Jhansi Regiment | Indian National Congress women's wing |
Which of the pairs is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1 and 2 only
(Pair 3 is incorrect – Rani Jhansi Regiment was a women’s unit of INA, not INC.)
UPSC CSE Mains Questions
“Subhash Chandra Bose’s vision of India’s independence was shaped as much by spiritual nationalism as by strategic militarism.”
Discuss the ideological influences on Bose and how they shaped his unique approach to the freedom movement. (250 words)
“The formation of the Indian National Army under Subhash Chandra Bose was a bold attempt to militarize India’s struggle for freedom, yet it posed a challenge to the mainstream nationalist approach.”
Critically analyze the role and limitations of the INA in India’s freedom struggle. (250 words)
“The contributions of Subhash Chandra Bose have often been overshadowed by the mainstream non-violent narrative of India’s freedom struggle.”
Evaluate Bose’s role in mobilizing international support and forming parallel institutions like the Provisional Government of Free India. (250 words)
Compare and contrast the ideological and strategic differences between Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose in their approach to India’s independence.
(250 words – Can be asked as a direct question or a statement-based one.)
