Why this matters now
Bose is among the most-tested freedom figures — Forward Bloc, the Great Escape, the INA, the Azad Hind Government, the Red Fort trials and Parakram Diwas (23 January).
Congress, Tripuri and the Forward Bloc
Bose was twice elected Congress President — Haripura (1938) and Tripuri (1939). After the Tripuri rift with Gandhi he resigned and founded the All India Forward Bloc in 1939 to mobilise radical anti-colonial elements within the Congress fold.
The Great Escape and the INA
Under house arrest in Calcutta, Bose staged a famous “Great Escape” in 1941 — reaching Germany via Afghanistan and the USSR. He then travelled by U-boat to Japan and Southeast Asia, where in 1943 he took command of the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj), founded earlier by Rash Behari Bose and Mohan Singh.
Azad Hind Government, Red Fort trials and Parakram Diwas
In Singapore on 21 October 1943 he proclaimed the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind). The INA included the Rani of Jhansi Regiment — an all-women combat unit. The army marched through Burma toward India, hoisting the tricolour at Moirang (Manipur). After Bose’s reported death in a plane crash at Taipei on 18 August 1945, the Red Fort INA Trials (1945-46) — defended by Bhulabhai Desai, Nehru and Tej Bahadur Sapru — turned public opinion decisively against British rule. His birth anniversary, 23 January, is observed as Parakram Diwas.
UPSC angle
Know Netaji — Congress President at Haripura (1938) and Tripuri (1939), Forward Bloc (1939), Great Escape (1941), INA/Azad Hind Fauj command (1943), Azad Hind Provisional Govt (Singapore, 21 Oct 1943), Rani of Jhansi Regiment, Moirang tricolour hoisting, Red Fort INA trials (1945-46), reported death in Taipei air crash (18 Aug 1945), Parakram Diwas on 23 January.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Subhash Chandra Bose called Netaji?
As supreme commander of the Indian National Army he was hailed as “Netaji” (leader) by his troops and admirers.
What was the Forward Bloc?
A radical political party Bose founded in 1939 after his rift with the Gandhian leadership of the Congress.
What was the Azad Hind Government?
A Provisional Government of Free India proclaimed by Bose in Singapore on 21 October 1943.
What is Parakram Diwas?
India observes Bose’s birth anniversary, 23 January, as Parakram Diwas (Day of Valour).