Subhash Chandra Bose aka Netaji was one of the most iconic leaders of all time. His role was not only vital in the Indian freedom struggle but his patriotism, as well as his ideologies, continue to inspire generations after him. So on the occasion of the completion of the 75th year of Indian Independence, here is a look at 7 books on Subhash Chandra Bose you should know about.
तुम मुझे खून दो, मैं तुम्हें आज़ादी दूंगा
Freedom is not given, it is taken
Powerful words, aren’t they?
What or rather who comes to your mind when I use the word ‘defiance’? Naturally, one of the most revered Indian nationalists was famous for this quality against the Britishers and which ultimately made him a hero in the eyes of all the Indians.
Yes indeed, I am talking about none other than Subhash Chandra Bose-aka Netaji.
Subhash Chandra Bose was the one who led the young, radical wing of the Indian National Congress in the late 1920s, going on to become its President. Having ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi albeit he was ousted from therein, he continued his relentless pursuit of a struggle for freedom by building the Indian National Army as well as the All India Forward bloc, a left-wing nationalist political party.
Reality is after all, too big for our frail understanding to fully comprehend. Nevertheless, we have to build our life on the theory which contains the maximum truth.
Wise words, aren’t they? Truly, reality is a multi-faceted, many-faced thing. It is a beautiful as well as a dark and terrible thing. In fact, remember how Dumbledore explained the definition of truth in Harry potter? That the truth is a beautiful yet terrible thing. In such a scenario, Netaji had always been a leader who stood for his ideologies as he always believed that one needed to always work around and go by theories which happened to have the maximum weightage of truth in them.
I have always been fascinated to really know the truth behind how Subhash Chandra Bose died. To find this out, the Indian Government appointed 3 commissions The Shahnawaz committee, the Khosla committee as well as the Mukherjee Commission. Whilst the former 2 had concluded that Bose had indeed died in an air crash on 18th August 1945 at Taihoku airport in Japanese-occupied Taipei at that time, the Mukherjee commission concluded that he did not die in the crash. Recently, Paris-based historian J B P More stumbled upon a brief French secret service report dated 11th December 1947 which came up with the sensational finding that Netaji didn’t die in the stipulated air crash and was still alive. Well, who knows what’s the reality?
Anyways, today to help you delve better into the works as well as the life of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, we at Booxoul have come up with the list of top 7 books on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Here you are:
Subhash Chandra Bose: The Springing Tiger by Hugh Toye:
Highlights Subhash Chandra Bose’s life through a study of the lesser-known facets of World War II, the Anglo-Indian relations as well as a study of the new kind of leaders present in Asia. The implications of the read are such that they will compel you to rethink the role of European -Asian relations as well as come to a better conclusion of what had happened and will happen. Written from the perspective of Britishers, there is another special facet associated with this one High Toye, The same man who had led the manhunt against Netaji. Yes, he was the British military intelligence appointed to track him down and Netaji.
India’s Biggest Cover-Up by Anuj Dhar
It is said that long after he was reported dead, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose continued to live a life worse than death, one of virtual solitary confinement, penury and misery in the disguise of a spiritual recluse aka Ghumnami Baba. Supporting this shattering discovery with a series of evidence, this piece of stellar writing has evidence to back up the data obtained under the freedom of information act of India. A meticulous amount of research has been put into this one by Anuj Dhar.
An Indian Pilgrim: An unfinished Autobiography by Subhash Chandra Bose
An unfinished autobiography written by Netaji himself, this is his retrospective self-analysis and meticulous account of his life. Highlighting his inner struggles as a truant schoolboy in search of holy enlightenment, these also happen to be a useful reference point for those who tend to interpolate an amoral, fantastic streak in him from his subsequent alliance with Nazi Germany. It has been edited by Sisir K Bose and Sugata Bose.
The Indian Struggle 1920-1942, Subhash Chandra Bose by Bose Sisir K and Sugata Bose
This one narrates the political upheavals of the inter-war period, further expounded and enriched by Netaji’s reflection on important themes also incorporating Indian history as well as an intricately etched assessment of Mahatma Gandhi’s role in the same. I believe Netaji himself had gifted the original copy of this book to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
BOSE An Indian Samurai: Netaji and the INA A Military Assessment by Maj Gen GD Bakshi
A path-breaking book by a former General that helps evaluate Netaji as a military leader and the First Supreme Commander of India. Also, an attempt to professionally evaluate the performance of the Indian National Army in World War II and its significant impact on the Freedom struggle. A lot of untold History of India is dished out in this one.
Brothers against the Raj by Leonard Gordon
Both Netaji and his brother Sarat were among the most important leaders of the Indian freedom struggle. A definitive biography of the Bose Brothers, this one also highlights the turbulent international politics of that period. The book has been written by Leonardo after using material gathered from the archives, records as well as over 150 interviews conducted with the brothers’ political contemporaries as well as family members. Gordon has combined empathy with objectivity through this work.
Back from the Dead by Anuj Dhar
Another feather in the cap, this one elucidates some more of Anuj Dhar’s fine work and in-depth narration on the life of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. A book exploring his alleged plane crash theory and what actually happened to him, this one is a very powerful piece of writing by Anuj. Written after meticulous research of almost 6 years of research and the subsequent compilation of facts from diverse sources, from Russian archives as well as several other sources, this one is gold for all those who want to know everything about Netaji’s life. A tidbit of advice, read it with India’s biggest cover-up by the same Author.
So, hope you guys liked the book recommendations for these 7 books you must read on Subhash Chandra Bose to know who he really was. Let me know in the comments if you know of any other titles I may have missed out on.
Related: 7 Books You Should Read to Know Who Bhagat Singh Actually Was
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