New Delhi, May 25: India’s struggle for independence saw numerous revolutionaries who dedicated their lives to the cause. Among them, Ras Bihari Bose stands out. From the Ghadar Revolution to laying the foundation of the Azad Hind Fauj, he waged a relentless battle against British rule that unsettled the colonial government. Even today, he is remembered as a revolutionary who disrupted the British.
Born on May 25, 1886, into a Kayastha family in Bengal, Ras Bihari Bose harbored a deep sense of patriotism from a young age. Around 1905, he became involved in revolutionary activities, gradually participating in significant movements against British oppression. At that time, anger against colonial rule was rising, and young revolutionaries were openly opposing the British. Ras Bihari was not one to stay behind.
He is most famously remembered for his plan to attack the then Governor-General, Lord Hardinge. On December 23, 1912, a grand procession for Lord Hardinge was taking place in Delhi. The young revolutionary Basant Kumar Biswas was tasked with throwing a bomb. As Hardinge’s procession reached Chandni Chowk, the bomb was thrown, resulting in a loud explosion. Hardinge was injured, and his elephant was killed. Although he survived, Ras Bihari’s plan did not fully succeed, but it certainly alarmed the British.
In response to this incident, the British launched a massive crackdown on Indian revolutionaries. To evade arrest, Ras Bihari returned to Dehradun and led a normal life, working as a clerk at the Forest Research Institute. However, the British continued their relentless search for him. Recognizing the growing danger, he fled to Japan.
Even in Japan, he did not abandon the fight for India’s independence. There, he organized Indian revolutionaries and strengthened the Indian Independence League. His goal was to connect Indians living abroad with the freedom struggle and garner economic and political support.
During World War II, Ras Bihari Bose united Indian soldiers to prepare for a fight against the British. This led to the establishment of the Azad Hind Fauj, or the Indian National Army. Although the army later gained a new identity and strength under the leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Ras Bihari Bose played a crucial role in its foundation.
In 1943, when Netaji arrived in Japan, Ras Bihari Bose warmly welcomed him. At that time, he was the President of the Indian Independence League and handed over the command of the League and the Azad Hind Fauj to Netaji. He then took on an advisory role, continuing to contribute to the freedom movement.
In recognition of his struggles and contributions, the Japanese government awarded him the ‘Order of the Rising Sun,’ their second-highest honor, which is rarely given to foreign nationals.
Ras Bihari Bose passed away on January 21, 1945, but his contributions to India’s freedom struggle are forever cherished.
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