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On Netaji’s 127th Birth Anniversary, Let’s Look At His 5 Travel Escapades During Freedom Struggle

Turns out Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is the real James Bond as he slipped through the fingers of the British many times.

by Ankita Mazumdar
On Netaji’s 127th Birth Anniversary, Let’s Look At His 5 Travel Escapades During Freedom Struggle

“Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!” The famous words were uttered by the great freedom fighters of India, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Today, January 23rd, 2024 is the birthday of Netaji and this year it is his 127th birth anniversary. The great philosophical mind of Netaji formed the Indian National Army and rebelled against the British in India. To honour and celebrate him, we are exploring more of his travel situations during the freedom struggle and what he had to go through. 

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s 5 Travel Experiences For Freedom Struggle In India

1. Kolkata

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose came to Kolkata from Calicut to pursue higher studies. He stayed at his father’s place in Bhawanipore in Kolkata which has now been converted into a Netaji museum. This is also the place where one of his escapades happened. He escaped from the British from this house on the night of January 16, 1941. This was during his house arrest and he was disguised as Mohammad Ziauddin, a fictitious insurance agent. He went to Gomoh station and boarded Kalka. Do not miss out on this Netaji Bhawan when in the city of joy.

2. Amritsar

To continue Netaji’s “Great Escape” he stopped in Amritsar as he planned to escape to Afghanistan. He got help from the locals and was guided well for his disguise and travel plans. Mian Akbar Shah from North West Frontier Province helped to modify his new disguise as Netaji was not familiar with the language and culture of Afghanistan. Shah advised him to be a hearing and speech-impaired tribesman and to grow his beard as a disguise. 

Also Read: Not In India But This Temple In Japan Holds Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Ashes

3. Moscow

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s plans and executions were so good that he even made it to Moscow. For this, he had to change his disguise again. He got an Italian passport to reach Rome and this time he was projecting as an Italian nobleman. This journey forward from here has been etched in history forever as people claimed he shook hands with Hitler. Did he?

4. Germany

Did you know that Netaji met Hitler? Another one of his travel escapades was to Germany via the Soviet Union. His arrival was during the time of World War II and Nazi Germany. He had gone to seek help from Nazi Germany for the independence of India. The plan for his “Great Escape” was in the hope of getting help and freeing India from being a slave to the British. This visit to Hitler was unknown to most of the world at that time, so when news came, the British called him a traitor.

5. Andaman And Nicobar Islands

Azad Hind was a Japanese-supported provisional government in India and had gained power over these islands from Japan in 1943. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose went to Andaman And Nicobar Islands to celebrate this win and hoisted the Indian flag. It was one of the glorious moments of pre-independent India and huge Indians were present to witness it. He also paid tribute to the great lives of revolutionaries lost at the Cellular Jail. 

Also Read: Visit This Telebhaja Restaurant In North Kolkata That Was Once Netaji’s Favourite Spot

Netaji had his fair share of travel escapades where he has gained experience and knowledge that left his mark as a great freedom fighter behind. Let’s celebrate his 127th birth anniversary together!

Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons

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First Published: January 23, 2024 10:26 PM