Subhas Chandra Bose's childhood was marked by a strong sense of patriotism instilled by his parents. Born in Cuttack, Odisha, on January 23, 1897, at 12.10 p.m., Odisha Division, Bengal Province, to Prabhavati Devi and Janakinath Bose, an advocate. He was the tenth child out of fourteen siblings. His early years in this historic town laid the foundation for the qualities that defined him as a visionary leader and a valiant patriot. He excelled in academics and was known for his rebellious spirit. He was deeply influenced by Swami Vivekananda's teachings and actively participated in nationalist movements during his school days. 🌊This early exposure to Indian nationalism shaped his future path as a prominent leader in the Indian independence struggle.
Subhas’s Birth and Family Background
Subhas Chandra Bose was born into an illustrious Bengali family. His father, Janakinath Bose, was a prominent lawyer and a respected figure in Cuttack, while his mother, Prabhavati Devi, was a devout and pious woman. Janakinath Bose was known for his commitment to social service and his principled stance on justice, traits that left a lasting impression on young Subhas. The Bose family’s ancestral roots were in Bengal, but they had established a significant presence in Cuꩲttack, which was then part of the Bengal Presidency under British rule.
According to the book, ‘An Indian Pilgrim’, Subhas himself said about his parents, “My father, Janakinath Bose, had migrated to Orissa in the eighties of the last (nineteenth) century and had settled down in Cuttack as a lawyer. There I was born on Saturday, the 23rd of January, 1897. My father was descended from the Boses of Mahinagar, while my mother Prabhavati, belonged to the family of the Dutts of Hatkhola.” “Ours was not rich but what might be regarded as a well-to-do middle-class family,” he continues. "I used to feel like a thoroughly insignificant being. My parents awed me to a degree. My father usually had a cloak of reserve around him and kept his children at a distance. What with his professional work and what with his public duties, he did not have much time for his family."
Subhas was the ninth of fourteen children, a large aꦛnd close-knit family that imbued him with a sense of unity and responsibility. The family’s residence, Janakinath Bhawan, now a preserved heritage site, witnessed the early days of one of India’s greatest revolutionaries.
Subhas’s siblings and his relationship with his favorite Sarat Chandra
Subhas Chandra Bose's older brother was Satish Chandra Bose, a barrister. Sarat Chandra Bose, the second elder and his "Mejda," was the closest to him. In 1912, Sarat moved to England to become a lawyer and practised law at the Calcutta High Court. Later, he entered politics, becoming a member of the Swaraj Party before joining the Congress, offering important support to C.R. Das and the Swarajist movement. He spent several years in prison, campaigning alongside Subhas. Sarat provided unwavering support to Subhas throughout his political career, both financially and emotionally. Their relationship was marked by deep affection and mutual respect, with Sarat playing a crucial role in facilitating Subhas'ꦓs escape from house arrest and his subsequent journey to Germany.
Subhas Schooling memories
From the excerpts of the book, “An Indian Pilgrimage”, When he was five years old, he was admitted to a Protestant European, or P.E., school. Subhas was involved in an accident on his very first day. He sustained an injury after falling. But the very following day, his strong desire to attend a school was realized. The PE school was largely for Europeans and Anglo-Indians, with very few Indian students. His other brothers and sisters also attended this school, possibly because they could learn English more quickly and effectively. Mr. Young, the Headmaster, showed no respect for local culture or language. The institution attempted to impose Christian and European culture on its students. Also, no vernacular subjects were inves🍨tigated.
The main benefit of studying in such a school was to imbibe the culture of punctuality and discipline, of cleanliness and personal hygiene. Among the teachers, young Subhas preferred Miss Lawrence, who was kind. The other teachers were barely passable. Everything they 🎃were taught was about European culture, history, geography, and norms. Nothing about India was taught there a༒ccording to young Subhas. However, Indians faced certain discrimination, such as being barred from taking scholarship exams.
Another story from his life reveals that his Pandit teacher insulted him on the first day because he knew nothing about Sanskrit, but just six monthsꩵ later, he silenced his critics by finishing first in Sanskrit and Bengali. His lone rival at this school was his classmate Charu Chandra, who was also a close buddy. Subhas had no interest in sports, but he was quite good at gardening. Subhas was greatly impacted by his Bengali and Oriya instructors, including Benim⛄adhab Das. Benimadhab taught his students that moral ideals were the most important things in life by setting a brilliant example of cleanliness in his personal life.
Subhas schooling and further education
Subhas along with his sibling did his schooling at the Protestant Eur🔯opean School (now Stewart High School) in Cuttack. He earned a bachelor from Presidency College. When he was 16, he studied Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna's books and was influenced by their teachings. His parents then sent him to the University of Cambridge, England, to prepare for the Indian Civil Service. He passed the civil service exams in 1920, but in April 1921, after learning of the nationalist upheaval in India, he dropped his candidacy and returned to India
Childhood memories by the Mahanadi
Picture credit: Sayantan Dasgupta.
Bose’s early years were marked by an insatiable curiosity about the world around him. The Mahanadi’s banks were his playground, where he observed fishermen, boatmen, and traders who relied on the river for their livelihood. These experiences instilled in him a deep respect for the common people and their struggles, shaping his vision of an eq꧙uitable society.
L🔯ocal anecdotes suggest that young Subhas would often sit by t𓄧he river, engrossed in books or deep in thought after his school hours. The tranquil environment provided by the Mahanadi’s banks became a refuge where he could reflect on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and the Bhagavad Gita, which profoundly influenced his philosophy.
A detailed examination of Netaji's life and times reveals that the great patriot supported Hindutva and cultural nationalism. Subhas Chandra Bose, a quin⭕tessential Hindu🃏, looked to Vedanta and the Srimad Bhagavad Gita for inspiration in his fight against the British.
The seed of a revolutionary
Bose’s upbringing in Cuttack was characterized by academic excellence, spiritual development, and early exposure to the reality of colonial governance. These events gave him a strong sense of fai💝rness, discipline, and determination. His childhood in Cuttack, in a culturally dynamic and politically informed setting, shaped his character and ideas.
In retrospect, Subhas's early years in Cuttack helped prepare him for his eventual role as a brave leader in India's war for freedom. Bose's path from humble origins in this historic town to becoming the leader of the Indian National Army exemplifies the indomitable spirit he dev꧂eloped during his early years in Odisha.
Legacy of his Birthplace
Today, Cuttack takes pride in being the birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chand🦋ra Bose. Janakinath Bhawan has been conve🉐rted into the Netaji Birthplace Museum, which preserves the legacy of his early life and offers a glimpse into the environment that shaped this legendary figure. For visitors and historians alike, the museum serves as a reminder of the role Cuttack played in fostering one of India’s greatest heroes.
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