What was Rash Behari Bose?

Rash Behari Bose was one of the most prominent Indian revolutionary leaders who played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. Born on May 25, 1886, in Subaldaha, a village in Bengal, Rash Behari Bose became a significant figure in the revolutionary movement, primarily known for his involvement in the Ghadar Movement and later in organizing the Indian National Army (INA), which laid the groundwork for Subhas Chandra Bose’s leadership.

Here’s an in-depth look at the life and contributions of Rash Behari Bose:

Early Life and Education

Rash Behari Bose hailed from a middle-class Bengali family. His father, Binod Behari Bose, worked in the government service, and his mother was a homemaker. Bose showed an early interest in literature, politics, and revolutionary activities. He was influenced by the patriotic atmosphere of Bengal, where revolutionaries like Aurobindo Ghosh and Khudiram Bose had already begun the fight against British colonial rule.

After completing his schooling, Rash Behari Bose moved to Dehradun where he trained in the Forest Research Institute. His career started as a government employee, but his heart was always with the cause of India’s freedom. The growing anti-British sentiment in the country, especially in Bengal, fueled his revolutionary zeal.

Involvement in the Revolutionary Movement

By the early 20th century, the Indian National Congress was primarily engaged in moderate politics, but revolutionaries like Bose believed that armed resistance was the only way to free India from British control. Bose came in contact with other revolutionaries such as Jatindra Nath Mukherjee (Bagha Jatin), and became deeply involved in revolutionary activities.

The Delhi-Lahore Conspiracy and Attempt on Viceroy’s Life (1912)

One of the earliest and most significant revolutionary activities involving Rash Behari Bose was the Delhi-Lahore Conspiracy. On December 23, 1912, a bomb was thrown at the then Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge, during a procession in Delhi. Hardinge was injured but survived the attack.

Rash Behari Bose is believed to have masterminded this assassination attempt, although he was never officially convicted due to lack of evidence. His involvement brought him under the radar of British authorities, and he had to go underground to avoid arrest.

Role in the Ghadar Movement (1914-1915)

One of the most pivotal moments in Rash Behari Bose’s revolutionary career came with his involvement in the Ghadar Movement. The Ghadar Party, founded by Indian immigrants in the United States and Canada, sought to incite a rebellion in India by using Indian soldiers in the British Army. The outbreak of World War I provided an opportunity to strike against British rule, as Britain was preoccupied with the war in Europe.

In 1914, Rash Behari Bose coordinated with Ghadarites like Sohan Singh Bhakna and Har Dayal to organize a large-scale uprising in India. The plan involved Indian soldiers in the British Indian Army revolting and joining the cause for independence. However, British intelligence had infiltrated the Ghadar Party, and the planned uprising, known as the Ghadar Conspiracy, was largely unsuccessful. Most of the leaders were arrested or executed.

Rash Behari Bose managed to escape and went underground once again. The failure of the Ghadar uprising did not deter him from continuing his fight for Indian independence.

Exile to Japan

By 1915, Rash Behari Bose had become a highly wanted man. With British authorities actively pursuing him, he fled to Japan in 1915 with the help of Japanese acquaintances he had made through his revolutionary network. His escape to Japan was a turning point, not only for his personal safety but also for his future role in organizing the Indian revolutionary movement on an international scale.

In Japan, Bose initially lived under the protection of Mitsuru Toyama, a prominent right-wing nationalist leader, and gained support from other influential Japanese politicians and military leaders. He blended into Japanese society, married Toshiko Soma, the daughter of his Japanese benefactor, and became a respected figure in Japanese revolutionary circles. He was instrumental in spreading anti-British propaganda in Japan and other parts of Asia.

Formation of the Indian Independence League (1942)

Rash Behari Bose played a significant role in bridging the connection between Japanese leaders and Indian revolutionaries. He believed that Japan’s military strength could be a critical factor in weakening British colonialism in Asia. His advocacy for Indian independence found resonance among Japanese nationalists who were keen to weaken British influence in the region.

In 1942, with Japan’s entry into World War II, Bose saw another opportunity to strike against the British Empire. He founded the Indian Independence League (IIL) in Japan, an organization dedicated to the cause of India’s freedom. The league’s primary aim was to mobilize Indian expatriates and soldiers in Southeast Asia to fight against British rule.

Role in the Formation of the Indian National Army (INA)

Rash Behari Bose’s most notable contribution to India’s independence movement was his role in organizing the Indian National Army (INA), a military force composed of Indian prisoners of war and expatriates in Southeast Asia. The INA was formed with the help of the Japanese, who wanted to use the Indian soldiers in their campaign against British forces in Asia.

Although Bose initially led the INA, he realized that the movement needed a more charismatic and influential leader to inspire mass support. In 1943, he invited Subhas Chandra Bose to take over the leadership of the INA. Subhas Chandra Bose’s entry revitalized the INA, which went on to fight alongside Japanese forces against the British in Burma and India.

The INA, under Subhas Chandra Bose, became a symbol of India’s fight for independence. Though the INA’s military campaign ultimately failed, its significance in galvanizing Indian nationalists cannot be overstated. Rash Behari Bose’s vision and efforts had laid the foundation for the INA, making him a key figure in India’s freedom struggle.

Legacy and Death

Rash Behari Bose spent the last years of his life in Japan, where he continued to work for the cause of Indian independence. Despite his exile, his influence on the Indian revolutionary movement was immense, and his role in organizing the INA and the Indian Independence League had long-lasting effects on India’s struggle for freedom.

He passed away on January 21, 1945, in Tokyo, just months before the end of World War II. Rash Behari Bose did not live to see India achieve independence in 1947, but his contributions were instrumental in the eventual collapse of British colonial rule in India.

Conclusion

Rash Behari Bose’s life epitomizes the spirit of revolutionary sacrifice. From his early involvement in the Delhi-Lahore conspiracy to his leadership of the Ghadar Movement and his role in founding the Indian Independence League and INA, he was at the forefront of the fight for India’s freedom. His ability to adapt to changing circumstances, whether evading British capture or organizing revolution from abroad, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the cause of independence. Today, he is remembered as a hero who gave his life for India’s liberation and laid the groundwork for future leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose to carry the torch forward.