An Indian Pilgrim

by Subhas Chandra Bose

This is a bonafide autobiography of Subhas Chandra Bose, the unedited, original version. In this autobiography the author provides an honest and sincere account of his childhood memories, his life as a school-goer with a batch of cousins and relatives in Cuttack, his formative years of intellectual development as a promising student of Presidency College in Calcutta, his quest for spiritual enlightenment and his experiences as a student at the prestigious Cambridge University. The autobiography also throws much light on Bose’s indomitable spirit in the freedom movement of India.

Genres: History, India, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography

Paperback

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

Subhas Chandra Bose (23 January 1897 – 18 August 1945) was a left-wing Indian nationalist of Congress whose defiant patriotism made him a hero in India, but whose attempt during World War II to rid India of British rule with the help of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan left a troubled legacy although he was liberal, anti-racist and supported women's emancipation.

Since 1940 he lived in Italy passing for Italian under the name of Orlando Mazzotta and had meetings with Benito Mussolini before went to Nazi Germany where he met his future wife, Emilie Schenkl and receive the honorific Netaji (Hindustani: "Respected Leader"), Bose first expressed his preference for "a synthesis of what modern Europe calls socialism and fascism" in a 1930 speech in Calcutta. Bose later criticized Nehru's 1933 statement that there is "no middle road" between communism and fascism, describing it as "fundamentally wrong." and suggested a "synthesis between communism and fascism" could take hold instead. In 1944, Bose similarly stated, "Our philosophy should be a synthesis between National Socialism and communism."

Bose's correspondence (prior to 1939) reflects his deep disapproval of the racist practices of, and annulment of democratic institutions in Nazi Germany: "Today I regret that I have to return to India with the conviction that the new nationalism of Germany is not only narrow and selfish but arrogant." as he was hoping that racist ideologies of Italy and Germany were only in anti-american and anti-british function and were not real. However, he expressed admiration for the authoritarian methods which he saw in Italy and Germany during the 1930s, and thought they could be used in building an independent India.

With the Nazi and then the Japanese support, Bose created and army for an axis' invasion of India but the war made gradually this plan untenable. Bose later chose not to surrender with his forces or with the Japanese, but rather to escape to Manchuria with a view to seeking a future in the Soviet Union which he believed to be turning anti-British trying to get support by Stalin. He died from third-degree burns received when his plane crashed in Taiwan. Some Indians, however, did not believe that the crash had occurred, with many among them, especially in Bengal, believing that Bose would return to gain India's independence.

The Indian National Congress, the main instrument of Indian nationalism, praised Bose's patriotism but distanced itself from his tactics and ideology, especially his collaboration, although idiosincratic, with fascism.

Reviews

[Manisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every leader has a unique quality which takes him/her to the top. Autobiographies and biographies give us an opportunity to study such leaders' lives and identify which quality has given him/her such tremendous success. Autobiography has an added advantage where not only a person's life incidents but also his/her though process is reflected in the book.
This is one such book which has shed light on Subhash Chandra Bose's life and thought process. His education had a unique combination of formal and spiritual learning. This allowed him to take strong and fearless decisions but not ignoring the humane aspect of it. The book also gives an insight into the political, social, spiritual and medical situations prevailing in India, almost 100 years back.

[Sounak Ghosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a tru but rare glimpse into the mind of the greatest of all revolutionaries, freedom fighters and political leader of modern India, the rightful first head of the government of Free India. It is a must read for those who want to know more about the man, beyond the footnote like paragraph that is dedicated to this man in our history books on freedom struggle.

PS: Beware to get an unadulterated copy. The recent ones by Oxford are edite by Shishir and Sugata Bose, is the worst form of vandalism and adulteration possible to the orginal ideas of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It serves their own myopic agenda to stay relevant and not to glorify the ideas of the man himself. Beware!

[Mahesh K Adewar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Autobiographical accounts are best things to know about a personality. This book gives deep insight into the thoughts of Bose.

One of the best things I like about great personalities like these that they genuinely express the weakness and problems that we common people face day to day and how effectively they concerned or make a way out of it.

It's a must read book for everyone specifically Indians.

[Pranav Joshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read given the great personality from which it springs. Some surprising aspects were the magnitude of spiritual pursuits Bose had, considering his involvement in the national liberation later on. Also that he read a lot of Swami Vivekananda, the social service undertaken and the courage to give up a lucrative career in the Indian Civil Service, and the arguments in favour of the same.

[SOUMMYA KARMAKAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is my role model ... And the book gives u the opportunity to know him closely, his personal life will definitely inspire u to become a responsible Indian and a better human being... Netaji is an emotion ...

[Dixit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Netaji's exceptional life and his mysterious death had been of deep interest to me especially because of the stellar role played by him in the freedom struggle. Before this I have read two books by Anuj Dhar which delved upon the aftermath of his sudden 'disappearance' during World War 2 after the surrender of Japanese.

This book covers the period from his early days as a child to his days at Cambridge where he decides not to join Indian Civil Service after standing 4th in the ICS Examination.

Bose, born into a well off Bengali Kayasth family spent his childhood in Cuttack. He did his schooling in Cuttack, then for higher education was sent to Calcutta's Presidency College. As a child he was of a very sensitive nature. Right from his early days he had a spiritual bent of mind and was greatly influenced by Vivekananda and Ramakrishna. Also he was greatly influenced by the ideas of Raja Ram Mohun Roy, Keshavchandra Sen and was greatly intrigued by the revolutionary persona of Aurobindo Ghosh. He attracted group of boys with similar bent of mind as his, who would delve upon deeper spiritual questions, occasionally go for pilgrimages and also provided social service during times of epidemic. It dawned upon him early in life that for spiritual development social service was necessary.

He was greatly troubled upon seeing Britishers giving a second class treatment and often humiliating Indians at public places. During his college days he was rusticated for leading a strike against uncouth behaviour of a British faculty, consequently he lost two years before he could resume his college studies. Later he was sent to Cambridge to study for Indian Civil Service. As a student there, he was intrigued at the contrasts in the way students were treated in India as compared to there in England. It reinforced that British were not ready to give same rights and freedoms to Indians as they did at home and professed all around the world.

After eight months of sheer hardwork he appeared for ICS examinations and to his surprise he stood 4th. Even after persuasion from high officials and family members, he refused to join the service on a matter of principle . He was in touch with Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das and later joined him in the national struggle. His was a life of great sacrifice and deep conviction which inspire patriotic Indians to this day.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Indian Pilgrim- (Unedited) by Subhas Chandra Bose- Part I From 1897 to 1921- The Book is an autobiography in which he describes his childhood In Cuttack. He was the 9th child among 14 children. The first mentionable point is that amongst so many children he found that his parents were quite distant from him and he was not able to share, discuss as other children did. Second, he was admitted to Protestant European School where he was educated on lines of British education up to 1909. Here he found that there was preferential treatment between the British students and Indian students. Later he was admitted to Revenshaw Collegiate School. During this time education syllabus had been changed by the Government and local language was compulsory. In his earlier school, Subhas was proficient in English but Bangla was not the medium of instruction so he was weak in Bangla. His Principal Benimadhav recognised his genius and encouraged him. Here stood second in Matriculation examination 1913. Later he took admission in Presidency College, Calcutta. Here got exposed to teachers who were patriots and sowed the seed of making the country independent from British yoke. He worked as a team member to collect rations for famine struck citizens of Calcutta. Prof Oaten used improper words on a student. For this when Prof Oaten was beaten by boys. On enquiry was set up in which it was found that Subhas was a witness to the assault. Still on this blame came on Subhas who was expelled from the University. He went back home to Cuttack where he joined a group of friends who served famine and cholera strken people. He read Ramakrishna Paramhas and Vivekanada literature which solved most of his doubts about religion and duty towards the nation. His expulsion from the University was withdrawn. He joined Scotish Chruch Collge, Calcutta from which he passed BA in 1918. In 1919 he left for England to study and appear for the Indian Civil Servies Examination. He went to seek admission in Cambridge University and was admitted to Fitzwilliam Collge. He studied books by many authors about philosophy, British, French and European history, He appeared for ICS and stood 4th in the merit list of the qualified applicants. The result was declared on 19-11-1919. He joined ICS but he wanted that the British should free India first. He wrote to his brother Sarat Chandra Bose about his wish to resign from ICS, in the words” only on soil of sacrifice and suffering can be raise our national edifice.” His elder permitted him and he resigned on 23-04-1921 and returned to India to serve the nation. The book is a historical document and is worth reading for all.

[Vanshika Gaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a balanced blend of spiritualism, materialism, patriotism, obedience towards parents' desires and listening to one's heart's call. Netaji has used a lot of emotional talks while narrating his life. I could personally associate with various events of his life while reading. He has written about various events of the national movement and has included the activities of Britishers both within and outside India. The treatment meted out with Indians in their motherland has been vividly described and Netaji's role in standing with his Indian counterparts despite his academic and career loss makes the reader hold a much higher position in his mind which the history books fail to develop. The incomplete biography ends with accepting LOVE as the greatest requirement of spirit soul quite contrasting the actual situation of us in those times when all we wanted was freedom and love among people as whole was a distant reality.

[Shihab Perumpulliyil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroes are not born , they grown up by motives, thoughts and actions. Though this autobiography is half baked it discloses major incidents and motives which led to shape a great national hero. A must read for those who are seeking digest the ideologies of Subash Chandhra Bose and the provocations behind him to become a great freedom fighter.

[Shameek Mookherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theory of relativity. Anyone at my age reading this book would surely identify with mental agony of a practical life.

[Paras Bagchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book where every word is laced with inspiration, giving you that rare opportunity to be in the august company of Netaji. Gives you that rare glimpse into the build up of the greatest story of Indian freedom struggle. This book ends before Netaji embarked on his great escapade and his journey across continents for the love of his motherland and yet leaves you awe inspired.

[Aditya Chindaliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing Autobiography of a legend who went on to become the true liberator of India. The book talks about his growing up part and his youth & the struggles he faced mentally and spiritually while growing up. His tryst with Spirituality and his love for the motherland and the thoughts he offer on both of them makes this book really worth reading !

[Aditya Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been intrigued by Mr Bose. Hailing from the same hometown as him, I had looked up to him and wanted to know what kind of a man he must be in his youth. This book was a chance discovery at the Kolkata book fair and I didn't waste a second to buy this.

Although there are better books than this with better meaning, but this will always be an important book to me regardless.

[Sachin Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netaji has written everything about himself and surrounding circumstances very truthfully. Starting from his birth this book will take you along through his life journey and will make you realise what makes A Legend,A Legend!

[Er. Alam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its one of the must read books for all Indians and shows a beautiful insight into the mind of the great man. The only sad part is that, it was not completed. Its a great book for people specially students to serve as a guide and motivating factor.

[Soumen Sadhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book written by my GOD. I am so thankful that he penned down his thoughts. So many incredible incidents and how he responded them in his own way, ghee decisions making process. This book would be relevant for ever generations to receive infinite inspiration

[Amit Wairagade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This autobiography of Netaji is an insight into his mind which shows the thought process of the man and his astute determination for living righteous life and serve mother India. Giving up the lucrative ICS post is I think an sufficient explanation to indicate his determination.

[Suranya Sengupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subhas's teenage journey in search of a true Guru and finding the meaning of spiritual purpose of life was unfruitful however his insight into religion and philosophy paved the way for his purpose later in life when he finally found a Guru in Chittaranjan Das.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is about his youth and ends in his college days.

[Ree · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very nice book that gives insight into his life and thoughts, but it's hard to find a nice publication's

[Sasti Adhikary · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book. We can see how great men are built. After reading it I was left in awe.

[Rajat Dwivedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incomplete autobiography of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, with excellent use of vocabulary and writing skills.

[Vineeth Kartha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that gives an insight into the thoughts, opportunities and struggles that an upper middle class young man had to face during the pre independence era. With so many iconic leaders emerging on the horizon, choosing between an ideology based on Indian tradition or the opportunities available in the British Raj.

[Rahul Shingane · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍

It covers his journey from a Shy, introvert kid livin in Cuttack ,then his days in Presidency College , followed by ICS preparation at Cambridge University and rejecting ICS after securing top rank
this is time when he actually began his journey of sacrifice for Nation Building, although it was persistently part of his subconscious , throughout this journey he talks about philosophy, Swami Vivekananda and Ramkrishna paramhans and his spiritual persuits........It was really engaging and enriching❤️

[Soumyajyoti Biswas]

A new look on Netaji as a person

We all know Netaji as a dynamic political leader but beside that he had a spiritual worldview and an ascetic person. This unfinished autobiography shows the evolution from Subhas Chandra Bose to Netaji, his inner conflicts while leaving the ICS, which his the turning point of his career. It is a great loss to India that he couldn't complete this book through all the political turmoil he was going through. He may not be with us today but his spirit will always be with India.

[Baidurya Sen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was quite a revealing book for me. never knew beneath the revolutionary lied a man who held deep philosophical and spiritual values. Most of the book will throw light on Bose's early days and we can get a glimpse of what kept him motivated in his later part of life.

[Khatri Tushar P · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are fond of biography then this book is perfect describing about lengend, written by legend.... Bus I was expecting some spirituality from this book.

[Joyanto Chanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise insight into the life of Netaji

I enjoyed the book, but the subject sometimes bounces around a lit making it hard to follow in some sections.