Subhas Chandra Bose

Political leader

January 23, 1897 Cuttack, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Odisha, India)

August 18, 1945 Taihoku, Japanese Taiwan (present-day Taipei, Taiwan)

Emilie Schenkl

Subhas Chandra Bose was an Indian nationalist. He is best known for his patriotism and efforts to free India from the clutches of the British rule. He is popular across the country for his bold statement, “Give me Blood and I will give you Freedom” which sums up his personality. Like many other Indian nationalist leaders, he envisioned an independent India. Though Bose’s ideology and philosophy did not match with that of Mahatma Gandhi and other ‘Indian National Congress’ leaders, his vision was just the same as any other nationalist hero. He is known for his political acumen and military knowledge. He is also remembered for his struggle, which he often referred to as a moral crusade. The founder of ‘Azad Hind Radio,’ ‘Azad Hind Fauj,’ and ‘Azad Hind Government,’ Bose made his intentions clear right from the very beginning. Though he did not achieve much success in his effort, his determination and hard work are nevertheless commendable. Interestingly, Clement Attlee, under whose prime-ministerial rule India gained independence, is said to have claimed that it was the Bose-led INA that weakened the very foundation of British troops and inspired the Royal Navy mutiny in 1946, leading the British to believe that they no longer were in a position to rule India.