Subhas Chandra Bose

Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945), often referred to as Netaji (Hebrew: נטאג'י, Hindi: नेताजी, Bengali: নেতাজি), was an Indian nationalist whose leadership during World War II made him a hero of the Indian independence movement. The term Netaji means "Respected Leader" in both Hindi and Bengali. Bose is known for his defiant patriotism, having led an Indian national force from abroad against British colonial rule in India, and for his controversial alliances with the Axis powers during World War II. Born in Cuttack, Bose was educated in India and later in the United Kingdom, where he studied at the University of Cambridge. He was influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and the writings of Benedict de Spinoza. Bose was a member of the Indian National Congress and rose to become Congress President in 1938 and 1939, but was expelled for his radical views and opposition to Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent methods. He later formed the Indian National Army (INA) with Japanese assistance, aiming to liberate India from British rule. Bose's exact fate remains uncertain, as he is believed to have died in a plane crash in Taiwan in 1945, though some theories suggest otherwise. His legacy continues to inspire nationalists in India and beyond.