Subhas Chandra Bose.

Name: The Indian Struggle, 1920-1942
Author: Subhas Chandra Bose

সুভাষচন্দ্র বসু

Born 23 Jan 1897 Cuttack

Died 18 Aug 1945 Taipei, Taiwan

Citizenship India

Would Be 129 yr If Living

9 min read

Reading time

1,669

Words

Apr 21, 2026

Published

Books

TL;DR

Subhas Chandra Bose, known as Netaji, led the Indian National Army against British rule during World War II. He died in a plane crash in Taipei in 1945 at age 48. His legacy includes the Bharat Ratna awarded posthumously in 1992 and the naming of Kolkata’s international airport after him. He also appeared in the film Adipurush 2023 and attended the Greater East Asia Conference 1943.

Identity & family.

KIN · 6

Names, aliases, and relatives of Subhas Chandra Bose — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Native Name সুভাষচন্দ্র বসু

Nicknames Netaji, Prince amongst Patriots

Aliases Chandra Bose

PARENTS: Prabhabati Bose Janakinath Bose
CHILDREN: Anita Bose Pfaff
SIBLINGS: Sarat Chandra Bose Sunil Chandra Bose Suresh Chandra Bose

At a glance.

STATS

Subhas Chandra Bose by the numbers — life, work, and family.

48 Years lived

7 Books

1 Child

Who was Subhas Chandra Bose?

BIOGRAPHY

Subhas Chandra Bose — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

The son of Prabhabati and Janakinath Bose, Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23 January 1897 in Cuttack and raised in a household that valued education and public service. He attended Ravenshaw Collegiate School and later Presidency University, where he was exposed to nationalist ideas. He regarded Congress leader Chittaranjan Das as his mentor and the Bhagwad Gita as his ultimate inspiration.

Career

In 1939, Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from the Indian National Congress after Mahatma Gandhi opposed his re-election as party president. He then founded the All India Forward Bloc, a left-wing political party. During World War II, Bose traveled to Germany and later to Japan, where he took command of the Indian National Army INA in 1943. He attended the Greater East Asia Conference Dai Tôa kaigi in 1943, seeking support from Axis powers for Indian independence. Bose’s leadership of the INA and his radio broadcasts galvanized Indian nationalism. He also appeared in the film Adipurush 2023.

Personal life

Subhas Chandra Bose had a daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, who became a professor of economics in Germany. Even after his reported death in 1945, his family members in Kolkata were kept under continuous surveillance by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, reflecting ongoing official suspicion about his fate.

Legacy

Subhas Chandra Bose was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992, but his family declined it, stating his contributions were beyond any award. Kolkata’s international airport is named Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. His portrait hangs in the Indian parliament and in government offices across India. He was the first person to call Mahatma Gandhi Father of the Nation during a radio broadcast. Despite controversies surrounding his death, Bose remains a symbol of militant nationalism in India.

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 7

Subhas Chandra Bose's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

The Indian Struggle, 1920-1942

by Subhas Chandra Bose
Amazon

Azad Hind

by Subhas Chandra Bose
Amazon

An Indian Pilgrim

by Subhas Chandra Bose
Amazon

Alternative Leadership

by Subhas Chandra Bose
Amazon

The Essential Writings of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

by Subhas Chandra Bose
Amazon

Chalo Delhi

by Subhas Chandra Bose
Amazon

Subhas Chandra Bose' Agenda for Azad Hind

by Subhas Chandra Bose

Did you know?

FACTS · 13

Little-known facts about Subhas Chandra Bose — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Subhas Chandra Bose was an Indian political leader who fought determinedly for independence.
Bose’s daughter, Prof. Anita Pfaff, carries on his legacy.
Even after Bose’s reported death, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel kept his family in Kolkata under surveillance.
Bose received the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1992; his family declined it, stating his contributions were beyond any award.
He regarded Congress leader Chittaranjan Das as his mentor and the Bhagwad Gita as his ultimate source of inspiration.
Securing 4th position in the All India Civil Services Examination, he chose the independence movement over a civil service career.
In 1939, after Gandhi refused to acknowledge his re-election as Congress president, he resigned and founded the All India Forward Bloc.
A portrait of Bose hangs in the Indian parliament building, alongside those of Nehru and Gandhi in government offices across India.
Kolkata’s international airport is named Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in his honor.
He was the first person to publicly address Gandhi as Father of the Nation during a radio broadcast, seeking his blessings for the INA’s struggle.
Despite his reported death in 1945, conspiracy theories suggest he survived and lived into the 1970s, with some claiming he was executed in the Soviet Union.
While the Japanese military supplied the INA, they considered Bose a great motivational speaker but lacking military skill.
A photograph of Bose with Nazi SS chief Heinrich Himmler generated significant controversy.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 33

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Subhas Chandra Bose.

When was Subhas Chandra Bose born?

Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23 January 1897 in Cuttack, British India. He later became an independence activist and is known as Netaji.
Where was Subhas Chandra Bose born?

He was born in Cuttack, which was then part of the Orissa Division in the Bengal Presidency of British India. Today, Cuttack is in the Indian state of Odisha.
When did Subhas Chandra Bose die?

He died on 18 August 1945, though some sources say 17 August, in a plane crash in Taipei, Taiwan. He was 48 years old at the time.
How old was Subhas Chandra Bose when he died?

He was 48 years old at the time of his death on 18 August 1945. His death has been the subject of many conspiracy theories.
Where did Subhas Chandra Bose die?

He died in Taipei, Taiwan, after a plane crash. The crash site is now a memorial, and the circumstances remain controversial.
How did Subhas Chandra Bose die?

He died in a plane crash in Taipei, Taiwan on 18 August 1945. Some accounts suggest he survived, leading to persistent conspiracy theories.
What is Subhas Chandra Bose's name in Bengali?

His name in Bengali is সুভাষচন্দ্র বসু. He is commonly referred to as Netaji, meaning Respected Leader.
What does Subhas Chandra Bose do for a living?

Subhas Chandra Bose was primarily a political leader and independence activist. He is best known as the leader of the Indian National Army during World War II.
What nationality is Subhas Chandra Bose?

He was Indian, born in British India. He dedicated his life to achieving independence for India from British colonial rule.
What language did Subhas Chandra Bose speak?

His native language was Bengali. He was also fluent in English and other languages, which helped him in his international travels.
Who are Subhas Chandra Bose's parents?

His parents were Janakinath Bose and Prabhabati Bose. He was one of several children, including brothers Sarat, Sunil, and Suresh.
Does Subhas Chandra Bose have any children?

Yes, he has one daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, who is a professor of economics in Germany. She is the only known child of Bose.
Did Subhas Chandra Bose have any siblings?

Yes, he had several siblings, among them Sarat Chandra Bose, Sunil Chandra Bose, and Suresh Chandra Bose. His brother Sarat was also a prominent political figure.
Where did Subhas Chandra Bose study?

He studied at Ravenshaw Collegiate School, Presidency University, Scottish Church College, Bangabasi Morning College, University of Calcutta, and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. He was a brilliant student, securing fourth place in the Indian Civil Services examination.
How tall was Subhas Chandra Bose?

He was 5 feet 11 inches tall, or 1.80 meters. Despite his average stature, he had a commanding presence as a leader.
Why is Subhas Chandra Bose called Netaji?

He was called Netaji, meaning Respected Leader, by his followers in the Indian National Army. He was also known as Prince amongst Patriots for his devotion to India’s freedom.
What other names did Subhas Chandra Bose use?

He occasionally used the alias Chandra Bose. This helped him travel incognito during his underground activities against British rule.
What was Subhas Chandra Bose known for?

He is best known for leading the Indian National Army during World War II and for his participation in the Greater East Asia Conference in 1943. He also appeared in the 2023 film Adipurush.
What is Subhas Chandra Bose's highest civilian honor?

He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1992. His family refused the award, stating his contributions were greater than any honor.
Why did Bose resign from Congress?

In 1939, Mahatma Gandhi opposed Bose’s re-election as Congress president. In response, Bose resigned from the Indian National Congress and founded the All India Forward Bloc.
What political party did Bose found?

After leaving the Congress in 1939, Bose founded the All India Forward Bloc, a left-wing political party that advocated for complete independence and socialist policies.
What was Bose's role in World War II?

During World War II, Bose sought support from Axis powers to free India from British rule. He took command of the Indian National Army INA in 1943 and led campaigns against British forces in Southeast Asia.
What conspiracy theories surround Bose's death?

Despite his reported death in a plane crash in 1945, many believe he survived. Some theories suggest he escaped to the Soviet Union but was executed, while others claim he returned to India and lived as a hermit.
Where is Subhas Chandra Bose Airport located?

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport is located in Kolkata, India. It was named in his honor to commemorate his contributions to the nation.
What is the significance of Dai Tôa kaigi?

The Greater East Asia Conference, known as Dai Tôa kaigi, was held in Tokyo in 1943. Bose attended as the leader of the Provisional Government of Free India, seeking Axis support for Indian independence.
Who was Bose's mentor?

Bose regarded Congress leader Chittaranjan Das as his mentor. Das was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and greatly influenced Bose’s political ideology.
What was Bose's rank in the ICS exam?

Bose secured the fourth position in the All India Civil Services Examination in 1920. Despite his high rank, he resigned from the service to join the independence movement.
Why did Bose's family refuse the Bharat Ratna?

In 1992, when the government posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna to Bose, his family declined it, stating that the award was insufficient for his monumental contributions to India’s freedom.
What is Bose's connection to Adipurush 2023?

Bose is listed as a crew member or reference in the 2023 film Adipurush. While details are scarce, the credit acknowledges his historical significance in Indian culture.
Did Bose ever meet Adolf Hitler?

Yes, Bose met Adolf Hitler during his stay in Germany in 1941. The meeting was part of his efforts to gain Axis support for India’s independence, though it did not yield significant results.
What was the Indian National Army?

The Indian National Army INA was a military force formed in 1942 by Indian nationalists with Japanese support. Bose took command in 1943 and led the INA in military campaigns against British forces in Burma and India.
What is Bose's legacy in modern India?

Bose is revered as a national hero in India. His legacy is kept alive through institutions named after him, such as the airport in Kolkata, and his portrait hanging in parliament. He remains an iconic symbol of militant nationalism.
Was Bose influenced by any religious texts?

Bose considered the Bhagwad Gita, a Hindu scripture, as his ultimate source of inspiration. He often referenced its teachings in his speeches and writings.

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Audited & updated by

Olivia has 6 years of experience writing biographical profiles and still approaches every subject like it's the first one. She covers everyone from debut musicians to Hall of Fame athletes to novelists most people have never heard of. She finds something worth reading in all of them. Her drafts tend to come in already clean, which her editor appreciates. She says good writing is just good thinking written down. Hard to argue with that.

Published on April 21, 2026

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