Rash Behari Bose’s Birthday, 25 May 1886

Oral History Division’s Record (Extracts), NMML

This Day in Indian History: Rash Behari Bose’s Birthday, 25 May 1886

              On this day, Rash Behari Bose was born in the Bengal Presidency. He played a notable part and rendered valuable contributions to the cause of India’s independence. His life was an example of rare courage, conviction and selfless service. For his involvement in the Ghadar movement, Hardinge Bomb Case (1912) and other revolutionary activities, he had to go into exile in Japan. Even so, he continued to mobilize support for the liberation of India. He was instrumental in the formation of the Indian Independence League (1942) and second Indian National Army (INA) with the help of Subhas Chandra Bose.

Some excerpts from the Transcript of the recording of OHD:

Col. Prem Kumar Sahgal (Close Associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and ACS, HQ Supreme Command, INA)

Shri S.L. Manchanda :         What would you like to say about Rash Behari Bose?

Col. Prem Kumar Sahgal :  Rash Behari Bose was a great patriot. I think his contribution to the Indian independence movement is not understood in our country. He is the man who built up a cadre of Indian revolutionaries from Tokyo to Burma – from all those people who had migrated there at one time or other including those who had gone there by a famous Japanese ship. He was the one man who was responsible for inculcating the spirit of Indian nationalism among them. He infused a new life in them. Again, he had tremendous influence in Japan. He had a Japanese father-in-law. He had connections with the Black Dragon Society. He lived in Japan for a long time and was held in great respect by the Japanese. In spite of all that, he was a true Indian patriot ...

Manchanda:                           Had he become a Japanese citizen?

Sahgal:                                 Yes, he had become a Japanese citizen, but you should not forget the greatness of this man. Had he been a selfish leader, he would not have begged of Japanese to bring Netaji. Even when Netaji had come, he could have still tried to stay on in limelight – he had a tremendous following – but, he did not. When Netaji came, he went into the background completely. I think this was the greater act of sacrifice that a politician could have made.