Here is a two-page biography of Subhas Chandra Bose, formatted for easy copying:

Subhas Chandra Bose: The Enigmatic Patriot and Architect of the Indian National Army
Subhas Chandra Bose, popularly known as Netaji, was one of the most dynamic and
controversial figures in India's struggle for independence from British rule. Born on January 23,
1897, in Cuttack, Odisha (then part of the Bengal Presidency), Bose's life was a relentless pursuit
of freedom, marked by intellectual brilliance, fervent nationalism, and a willingness to adopt
unconventional means to achieve his goal. His legacy remains a subject of intense debate, but
his charisma and uncompromising spirit continue to inspire millions.
Early Life, Education, and Entry into Politics (Page 1 of 2)
Subhas was the ninth of fourteen children born to Prabhavati Devi and Janakinath Bose, a
prominent lawyer. His upbringing was comfortable, providing him with access to excellent
education. He attended the Protestant European School in Cuttack and later Ravenshaw
Collegiate School. From a young age, he displayed a keen intellect and a rebellious spirit, coupled
with a deep spiritual inclination influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. This spiritual awakening instilled in him a strong sense of service
and dedication to a higher cause.
Bose continued his higher education at Presidency College, Calcutta (now Kolkata), where he
studied philosophy. However, his nationalist sentiments led to an incident where he was expelled
for assaulting a British professor, though he later graduated from Scottish Church College in
1919. Despite this early brush with authority, his academic prowess was undeniable. In 1919, he
went to England to prepare for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) examination, a highly coveted and
prestigious career path for educated Indians under British rule. He successfully cleared the
examination, ranking fourth, a remarkable achievement. However, deeply committed to India's
freedom, he famously resigned from the ICS in 1921, declaring his refusal to serve a foreign
government.
Upon his return to India, Bose joined the Indian National Congress, aligning himself initially with
Mahatma Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement. Gandhi advised him to work under the
leadership of Chittaranjan Das, a prominent Bengali nationalist and his political guru. Bose
quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the editor of the Swaraj Party's newspaper "Forward"
and later launching his own newspaper, "Swaraj." His activities led to his first imprisonment in
December 1921. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation
under Mayor C.R. Das and was elected President of the All India Youth Congress in 1923.
Bose's political ideology was distinct from Gandhi's. While he admired Gandhi's mass appeal and
moral authority, he believed that non-violence alone would not be sufficient to dislodge the
British. He advocated for more aggressive and revolutionary methods, including armed struggle,
to achieve complete independence. This ideological difference eventually led to a divergence
with Gandhi and the mainstream Congress leadership. He was repeatedly imprisoned by the
British for his revolutionary activities throughout the 1920s and 1930s.
In 1938, Bose was elected President of the Indian National Congress at the Haripura session, a
testament to his growing popularity and influence. He was re-elected for a second term in 1939
at the Tripuri session, defeating Gandhi's preferred candidate, Pattabhi Sitaramayya. However, his
radical views and desire for immediate action, particularly regarding British involvement in the
impending World War, clashed sharply with Gandhi's more cautious approach. This led to his
resignation from the Congress presidency in April 1939.
Formation of the Forward Bloc and the Indian National Army (Page 2 of 2)
Following his resignation, Bose founded the All India Forward Bloc in May 1939, aiming to
consolidate all radical elements within the Congress who shared his vision of immediate and
uncompromising struggle. As World War II broke out, Bose saw it as a golden opportunity for
India to achieve independence by aligning with Britain's enemies. He believed that "Britain's
necessity was India's opportunity." He was placed under house arrest in Calcutta in 1941 but
made a daring escape, embarking on what is now known as "The Great Escape." Disguised, he
traveled through Afghanistan and the Soviet Union, eventually reaching Nazi Germany in April
1941.
In Germany, Bose sought support from the Axis powers for India's liberation. He established the
Free India Centre in Berlin and raised the "Free India Legion" (also known as the Azad Hind Fauj,
though this name is more commonly associated with the later army in Southeast Asia),
comprising Indian prisoners of war. However, disillusioned with the level of support from
Germany, he decided to turn his attention to Southeast Asia, where a large Indian diaspora and a
substantial number of Indian prisoners of war (POWs) from the British Indian Army were present
under Japanese control.
In 1943, a perilous journey by submarine took him from Germany to Southeast Asia, where he
took charge of the Indian Independence League and revitalized the Indian National Army (INA), or
Azad Hind Fauj, which had initially been formed by Mohan Singh. Bose's charismatic leadership
and powerful speeches, particularly his famous exhortation "Give me blood, and I will give you
freedom!" (Tum Mujhe Khoon Do, Main Tumhe Azadi Dunga!), galvanized thousands of Indian
POWs and civilian volunteers. The INA became a formidable force, composed of various
brigades named after Gandhi, Nehru, and Maulana Azad, and even included an all-women's
regiment, the Rani of Jhansi Regiment.
Under Bose's command, the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind) was formed in
October 1943 in Singapore, recognized by several Axis powers. The INA, fighting alongside the
Japanese, launched an offensive against British forces in Northeast India, particularly in the
Imphal-Kohima sector in 1944. Despite initial successes, the INA's advance was eventually halted
due to severe logistical challenges, heavy monsoon rains, and fierce resistance from Allied
forces.
The precise circumstances of Subhas Chandra Bose's death remain a mystery and a subject of
ongoing speculation. The widely accepted account states that he died on August 18, 1945, from
third-degree burns sustained in a plane crash in Taihoku (now Taipei), Japanese Taiwan, shortly
after Japan's surrender in World War II. However, many in India believe he survived the crash and
lived in anonymity.
Regardless of the circumstances of his death, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose remains an iconic
figure in Indian history. His unwavering commitment to complete independence, his willingness
to challenge conventional approaches, and his ability to inspire an army of patriots from abroad
left an indelible mark on the freedom struggle. While his alliances with the Axis powers are a
point of historical contention, his singular focus on liberating India from foreign rule solidifies his
place as a fearless and dedicated patriot who sacrificed everything for his motherland.