🇮🇳

Subhash Chandra Bose's Journey and Struggle for Indian Independence

Jul 30, 2024

Lecture Notes on Subhash Chandra Bose's Journey and Struggle for Indian Independence

Introduction

  • Date: 9th February 1943
  • Event: German submarine departed from Kiel, Germany with Indian presence.
    • Notable Individual: Mr. Matsuda, who was later revealed to be Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Historical Context

  • Timeframe: World War II (1939 - 1945)
  • Main Conflict: Axis powers (Germany and Japan) vs. British Empire.

Journey of Subhash Chandra Bose

  • Departure Date: 9th February 1943
  • Submarine Journey:
    • Task to travel Southward around Africa to meet a Japanese submarine.
    • Submarines kept parallel due to stormy seas before finally connecting.
  • Historical Significance: First Indian to travel in a submarine.

Background of Subhash Chandra Bose

  • Early Politics:
    • Formation of Forward Bloc after separating from Congress in 1940.
    • Ideological differences within Congress regarding leftist views.
  • Arrest and Hunger Strike:
    • Arrested during a march in Calcutta; launched a hunger strike.
    • Released and placed under house arrest, devised an escape plan to Germany.

Escape to Germany

  • Disguise: Posing as Muhammad Ziauddin, an insurance agent.
  • Route:
    • Crossed into Afghanistan; traveled to Kabul, where he sought help from Soviet and German embassies.
  • Reaching Germany:
    • Successful arrival in Berlin on 2nd April 1941.

Objectives in Germany

  1. Establish an Indian Government in Exile.
  2. Amplify Indian voice internationally.
  3. Form an Indian Army from prisoners of war.

Encounter with Hitler

  • Objective: Gain diplomatic recognition for India.
  • Outcome: Hitler uninterested, but Bose maintained a transactional relationship for mutual benefit.

Establishment of Free India Centre

  • Date: 2nd November 1941.
  • Objectives Set:
    • Name the struggle as Azad Hind (Free India).
    • National anthem: Jana Gana Mana.
    • Emblem: Tricolor with a tiger.
    • Slogan: Jai Hind.
    • Title: Netaji.

Azad Hind Radio

  • Inauguration: February 1942.
  • Messages: Urged Indians to continue their struggle for independence with support from Axis Powers.

Formation of Indian National Army (INA)

  • Rejection by Nazis: Unable to recognize an independent army.
  • Recruitment: Around 5,000 soldiers convinced to join.
  • Vision: Promote unity among diverse Indian backgrounds.

Plan in Japan

  • Interest from Japan: Japanese Prime Minister Tojo agreed to help Indian independence movement, unlike Hitler.
  • Historic Meetings:
    • Met Tojo twice in June 1943.
    • Attended Japanese Diet session for public support.

Establishment of Provisional Government

  • Date: 21st August 1943.
  • Mission: Declare war against British Empire.
  • Territory Control: Gained control over Andaman and Nicobar Islands in December 1943.

INA Offensive

  • Battle of Imphal:
    • Started March 1944, faced severe hardships and eventually led to retreat.
  • Significance: First Indian flag hoisting on Indian mainland in Moirang.

Conclusion

  • The efforts and vision of Bose laid the groundwork for a unified approach towards independence despite ideological differences with others like Gandhi.
  • His influence echoed through the Indian struggle for independence even post-World War II, and he remains a celebrated figure.

Future Discussions

  • Further elaboration on the impact of INA and Bose’s leadership in subsequent movements for independence.

Full transcript