Contents
Subhas Chandra Bose
Leading the Indian National Army in an armed campaign against British rule.
Forward Bloc · Azad Hind government
- Born
- 23 January 1897
- Birthplace
- Cuttack, India
- Died
- 18 August 1945
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An Indian independence leader who broke with Congress leadership and sought foreign military backing during the Second World War. His alliances with Nazi Germany and imperial Japan are central to assessing his strategy.
Early life
Bengali family in Cuttack
Grew up in a large, comparatively prosperous family.
Civil-service route
Passed the Indian Civil Service examination but chose the independence movement instead.
Career
- 1921–1930s
Congress organising
Returned to India and became active in nationalist politics.
- 1938–1939
Congress presidency
Led Congress before a political split and the formation of the Forward Bloc.
- 1941–1943
Wartime alliances
Left India and sought support in Germany and then Japanese-controlled Asia.
- 1943–1945
INA leadership
Led the Indian National Army and the Provisional Government of Free India.
Campaigns & organisations
Forward Bloc
Founded a political grouping after his Congress break.
Azad Hind government
Declared a provisional government backed by Japan.
India campaign
INA forces fought alongside Japan in an unsuccessful advance.
Legacy & debate
Contested strategy
His willingness to ally with Axis powers remains a major ethical and political issue.
Death
The prevailing historical account is that he died after a plane crash in Taiwan in August 1945; competing claims persisted.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: Unknown (Netaji Research Bureau, Calcutta). Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
