Subhash Chandra Bose, affectionately known as Netaji, remains one of the most dynamic and influential figures in the Indian independence movement.

Early Life and Education

• Birth: Born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Presidency.
• Parakram Diwas: His birthday is now celebrated annually as “Parakram Diwas” (Day of Valor).
• Academic Brilliance: He studied at Presidency College, Calcutta, but was expelled for his nationalist activities and involvement in the assault on Professor Oaten.
• ICS Success: He stood 4th in the Indian Civil Services (ICS) exam in London in 1920.
• The Great Resignation: He resigned from the ICS in 1921, stating, “Only on the soil of sacrifice and suffering can we raise our national edifice.”

Entry into Politics and the Congress

• Political Guru: He considered Chittaranjan Das (C.R. Das) as his political mentor.
• Swaraj Party: He worked closely with C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru within the Swaraj Party framework in the 1920s.
• The Municipal Role: He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation in 1924.
• Independence for India League: In 1928, he and Jawaharlal Nehru formed this league to demand Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) when the older leadership was still considering “Dominion Status.”
• Presidency (Haripura): He was elected President of the Indian National Congress (INC) at the Haripura Session in 1938.
• National Planning Committee: At Haripura, he set up the National Planning Committee with Nehru as Chairman, laying the groundwork for India’s planned economy.

The Rift and Forward Bloc

• Tripuri Crisis (1939): He was re-elected as President at the Tripuri Session, defeating Pattabhi Sitaramayya (Mahatma Gandhi’s preferred candidate).
• Resignation: Due to ideological differences with the Congress Working Committee and Gandhi, he resigned from the Presidency in April 1939.
• All India Forward Bloc: After resigning, he formed the Forward Bloc within the INC to rally the left-wing elements.
• Rajendra Prasad: He was succeeded as Congress President by Dr. Rajendra Prasad after his resignation.

The Indian National Army (INA) / Azad Hind Fauj

• Founder of INA: The INA was originally the brainchild of Rash Behari Bose and Captain Mohan Singh.
• Taking Command: Rash Behari Bose handed over the leadership of the Indian Independence League and the INA to Subhash in Singapore in 1943.
• Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind: On October 21, 1943, he proclaimed the formation of the Provisional Government of Free India in Singapore.
• Rani of Jhansi Regiment: He created the first all-female infantry regiment in modern history, led by Captain Lakshmi Sahgal.
• Andaman and Nicobar: Japan handed over these islands to the Azad Hind government; Netaji renamed them Shaheed (Martyr) and Swaraj (Self-rule) islands.
• Headquarters: The INA headquarters were shifted from Singapore to Rangoon in January 1944.

Military Campaigns and Slogans

• “Delhi Chalo”: His famous clarion call to the INA to march toward the Indian capital.
• “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom”: A speech delivered in Burma (Myanmar) to motivate Indians to join the struggle.
• Imphal and Kohima: The INA, along with Japanese forces, launched an attack on British India through the Northeast in 1944.
• Jai Hind: The greeting “Jai Hind” was popularized by Netaji as a national salutation.
• The First Flag: He hoisted the Indian National Flag in Moirang, Manipur, on April 14, 1944.

Ideology and Beliefs

• Socialism: He was a staunch socialist and believed in a “Synthesis” of socialism and nationalism tailored for India.
• Attitude toward Gandhi: Despite their ideological rift, Netaji was the first to address Mahatma Gandhi as the “Father of the Nation” in a radio address from Singapore in 1944.
• Views on Democracy: He initially believed India needed a period of “authoritarian” rule after independence to reorganize the country before transitioning to a full democracy.