As a child, Netaji was known for his intelligence and independent nature. He was an excellent student and was particularly interested in history and politics. In 1913, he went to study at the University of Calcutta, where he was a brilliant student and a keen debater. During this time, he was exposed to the ideas of Indian nationalism and was deeply influenced by the works of Swami Vivekananda.
After completing his studies, Netaji joined the Indian Civil Service but soon resigned to join the Indian National Congress in 1921. He rose through the ranks of the Congress quickly and became its President in 1938. However, his differences with the Congress leadership over the non-violent approach to achieving independence led him to resign from the party in 1939.
Netaji then formed the Forward Bloc, a leftist party that aimed to achieve independence through revolutionary means. He was arrested several times by the British authorities and was imprisoned in India and later in Burma (now Myanmar). He escaped from house arrest in India in 1941 and reached Germany via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. There, he formed the Indian National Army (INA) with the help of the Axis powers and declared war on the British.
Netaji's leadership and charisma inspired thousands of Indians to join the INA and fight for India's independence. The INA fought alongside the Japanese army in Burma and other parts of Southeast Asia. However, the war ended in 1945 with the defeat of the Axis powers, and the INA was disbanded.
Netaji's death is still shrouded in mystery. He reportedly died in a plane crash in Taiwan on August 18, 1945, but there have been many conspiracy theories suggesting that he survived the crash and lived in hiding in the Soviet Union or other countries. His legacy as a fearless and patriotic leader who fought for India's independence remains an inspiration for millions of Indians today.