title: His Majesty&rsquo;s Opponent: Subhas Chandra Bose and India&rsquo;s Struggle against Empire
author:  Sugata Bose 
description: Subhas Chandra Bose was perhaps the most enigmatic of the great Indian leaders fighting for independence in the twentieth century. This wonderful book makes a major contribution to the understanding of the political, social and moral commitments of Netaji, the great leader, as he was called by his contemporaries. (Amartya Sen, author of <i>The Idea of Justice</i>)<br /><br />Larger than life, more profoundly intriguing than the myths that surround him, Subhas Chandra Bose was India's greatest 'lost' leader. In a remarkable narrative that pairs political passion with historical precision, Sugata Bose has beautifully explored the character and charisma of the man, while providing an elegant and incisive account of one of the most important phases of the struggle for Indian independence. (Homi K. Bhabha, author of <i>The Location of Culture<i>)<br /><br />This is a definitive biography of Subhas Chandra Bose, written by the person most qualified to do so. It is an epic tale, told in an epic manner. (Dr. Tim Harper, author of <i>Forgotten Wars: Freedom and Revolution in Southeast Asia</i>)<br /><br />This remarkable book places Subhas Chandra Bose fully in the context of Indian and world history. It should be read by everyone interested in the end of the British Empire. (Arjun Appadurai, New York University)<br /><br />[A] lucid and meticulous new biography. (Sudip Bose <i>Bookforum</i> 2011-06-01)<br /><br />Those wishing to learn about the life and times of Netaji will finish the book with their curiosity deeply satisfied. (Ramesh Thakur <i>The Australian</i> 2011-06-01)<br /><br />Here is a biography of one of the most intriguing and powerful men in 20th century India, Subhas Chandra Bose, written with energy and without sacrificing the historical details...In parts the book reads like a thriller, especially when dealing with Netaji's daring escapes from British clutches. There is a spirited account of a secret submarine escape, and riveting material on Netaji's complex political strategies. But above everything else, the book offers an intimate portrait of Netaji not only as a revolutionary leader but also a loving husband, a man of letters, and an untiring believer in communal amity. (Arthur J. Pais <i>Rediff.com</i> 2011-05-31)<br /><br />[Bose] presents an admirably restrained account of this flawed patriot. Making good use of the family archives, he reaches out to the widest possible audience with a compelling narrative that sacrifices none of its author's academic credentials. (John Keay <i>Literary Review</i> 2011-06-01)<br /><br />Bose, grand nephew of Subhas Chandra, known as Netaji (respected leader), has written an enthralling account of Netaji's life, detailing his lifelong struggle against British rule (he was imprisoned without a trial at a young age), exile in Europe, and political successes...This biography of a nationalist leader of the same stature as Mohandas Gandhi should be read...by all who seek a complete picture of India's freedom struggle. (Ravi Shenoy <i>Library Journal</i> 2011-06-15)<br /><br />[A] magisterial biography...[Bose] does a splendid job...Bose etches a vivid portrait of Netaji as a protean nationalist of fierce integrity and conviction...[He] displays considerable acuity in examining the icon's complex love-hate relationship with Gandhi. (Soutik Biswas <i>livemint.com</i> 2011-06-24)
zlib_text: 39
  The Red Fort Trial: Justice by a Dying Colonialism
  By Leonard A. Gordon
  In the summer of 1975, I was lucky enough
  to arrange an interview with Lord Mountbatten.
  It was to be a brief half hour, conducted in a
  military car riding to Heathrow Airport from
  his flat in Belgravia, and the questions had
  to be submitted in advance. Most of the
  interchange was about the partition of India,
  but I did mention Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
  Mountbatten stiffened and made it clear how
  much he despised him. Subhas Bose and his
  Indian National Army—largely composed of
  men formerly in the Indian Army and captured
  by the Japanese at Singapore--were traitors
  and almost unspeakable to a career military
  man who thought military men had to stand
  by their loyalty oaths until death. He also
  explained that his aversion to the Indian National Army (INA) meant that he would
  not see Sarat Bose during the crucial months in 1947 when the question of partition
  was being decided. Upon reflection, I understood more c