Subhash Chandra BoseSubhash Chandra Bose

Bose's entry into politics was marked by intense nationalist fervor under the mentorship of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das (C.R. Das).

• Political Guru: Subhash Chandra Bose regarded Chittaranjan Das (C.R. Das) as his political mentor, working closely with him in the Swaraj Party and municipal administration of Calcutta.
• CEO of Calcutta Corporation: When C.R. Das became the Mayor of Calcutta in 1924, Bose was appointed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation, initiating major civic reforms.
• Imprisonment in Mandalay: Due to his revolutionary links and nationalist activities, Bose was arrested in 1924 under the Bengal Ordinance and imprisoned in Mandalay jail (Burma) until 1927.
• Opposition to Nehru Report: Along with Jawaharlal Nehru, Bose opposed the Nehru Report's recommendation of 'Dominion Status', jointly forming the 'Independence for India League' in 1928 to press for complete independence (Purna Swaraj).

The ideological rift between Bose's radical vision and Gandhi's moderate approach culminated in the historic Tripuri Congress crisis.

• Haripura Session (1938): Bose was unanimously elected Congress President at Haripura (Gujarat). He championed the formation of a National Planning Committee under Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Tripuri Session (1939): Bose contested for a second term and defeated Mahatma Gandhi's official candidate, Pattabhi Sitaramayya, by 1580 to 1377 votes, despite Gandhi declaring Sitaramayya's defeat as his 'own defeat'.
• Resignation and Formation of Forward Bloc: Due to non-cooperation from the Gandhian faction in forming the Working Committee, Bose resigned in April 1939 and established the Forward Bloc as a left-wing faction within the Congress.

Put under house arrest by the British in Calcutta, Bose executed a daring escape to forge international alliances against the British Empire.

• The Escape (January 1941): Disguised as a pathan insurance agent named Ziauddin, Bose escaped from his Elgin Road house on January 16-17, 1941, travelling via Gomoh to Peshawar and then crossing into Afghanistan/Soviet Union.
• Arrival in Berlin: Reached Berlin in April 1941 via Moscow. He met German leaders including Adolf Hitler and established the Free India Center (Zentrale Freies Indien) and Azad Hind Radio.
• Indian Legion (Freies Indien): Organized the Indian Legion (consisting of Indian prisoners of war captured by Axis powers in North Africa) to fight alongside the German army against the British.

Bose's most monumental contribution was transforming the Indian National Army into a powerful military force to liberate India from external shores.

• Transfer of Leadership: Traveled in a German U-boat to Japanese-controlled Southeast Asia in 1943. Rash Behari Bose handed over the leadership of the Indian Independence League and INA to Subhash Chandra Bose in Singapore.
• Provisional Government of Free India: On October 21, 1943, Bose proclaimed the formation of the Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind (Provisional Government of Free India) in Singapore, recognizing himself as Head of State, Prime Minister, and Minister of War.
• Famous Slogans and Greetings: Bose gave the slogans 'Jai Hind' and 'Dilli Chalo'. He also addressed Mahatma Gandhi as the 'Father of the Nation' (Rashtrapita) on Azad Hind Radio in July 1944 while seeking his blessings for the final struggle.
• Rani Jhansi Regiment: Formed an all-women combat regiment within the INA named after Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, led by Captain Lakshmi Swaminathan (Lakshmi Sahgal).
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Japanese handed over the administration of Andaman and Nicobar islands to INA. Bose renamed them as 'Shaheed Dweep' (Martyr Island) and 'Swaraj Dweep' (Self-rule Island).