Bose of Nakamuraya: An Indian Revolutionary in Japan by Takeshi Nakajima : Book Review

' Bose of Nakamuraya : An Indian Revolutionary in Japan ' by the Japanese author Takeshi Nakajima is an excellent book on the fugitive life of Rashbihari Bose, the founder of Indian Independence League in Japan. Born in Colonial Bengal of British India in the late nineteenth century, Rashbihari was the only Indian revolutionary whom the British police never could get hold of. He was too cunning as well as a bit lucky to successfully evade the arrest and subsequent execution in the hands of the British imperialists. He was charged with the assassination attempt on the Viceroy of India Lord Hardinge. Moreover he was instrumental in chalking out a 1857 style mutiny in the British Indian army. The mutiny despite  sporadic uprisings in Lahore cantonment as well as in Singapore ultimately failed due to quick British response and lack of coordination among the mutineers. Not surprisingly he was the most wanted man in British India in pre Gandhian era. The British had left no stone unturned to hunt this 'precious' man and bring him to the gallows. In 1915 the price of his head was declared to be around 10000 Indian rupees, a massive amount in today's financial value. But Rashbihari was at least three steps ahead of his British opponents as far as cunningness and agility are concerned. While he was nearly cornered by the British police, he took the disguise of P.N.Tagore, the nephew of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, embarked on a Japanese ship and escaped to Japan almost penniless in 1915. From here a completely new chapter began in his life.

Rashbihari in his early years

Nakajima's book chiefly throws light on Rashbihari's life and his contribution to the cause of India's independence while staying in Japan. It discusses in details everything since the first day of his arrival in Japan in 1915 to the last day of his life in second world war ravaged Japan in 1945. Even after his arrival on Japanese soil he was not at all safe. The British had forced the Japanese government to arrest and expel Rashbihari from their country. But thanks to Toyama, a leading nationalist of Japan and a few other sympathizers he eventually escaped at the very last moment and went into hiding. He even married a Japanese lady and ultimately became a Japanese citizen. Apart from being a diehard revolutionary Rashbihari was also an excellent cook. It was he who had introduced Indian curry to Japanese cuisine. Even in modern Japan thanks to him Indian curry is a very popular dish in almost all Japanese restaurants. During his stay in Japan he had mastered the Japanese language so well that even the Japanese students used to call him 'Sensei' (Teacher) and learn Japanese from him. Due to his affable behaviour and political acumen he gradually became a leading political figure in Japan, respected and loved by the Japanese of all ages. The book focusses on his family life as well as political life quite superbly. An affectionate father as well as a caring husband, Rashbihari's life came to full terms when he formed Indian Independence League in Japan. This League eventually gave birth to the Indian National Army which had fought against the British Indian Army In Imphal Kohima Front with Japanese assistance under the leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Rabindranath Tagore visits Rashbihari's home in Japan

 

Rashbihari with his son Masahido and daughter Tetsuko

The formation of the Indian Independence league and the Indian National army went through several conflicts as well as obstacles due to the misunderstanding between the Indian commander Mohan Sing and his supporters in one hand and Rashbihari Bose and the Japanese army commanders on the other side. It was only after the arrival of Subhash Bose in Tokyo from Germany that all disputes and internal conflicts were resolved and Rashbihari retired from taking the charge of the INA. Nakajima in this book shows the mental turmoil in Rashbihari's mind on seeing Japanese army's cruelty in Japanese held territories both prior to and during World War 2. Besides being a lifelong critic of western imperialism, he also lashed out at the early Japanese aggression of China in several newspapers and magazines. He had favoured the cooperation and strong bondage between several Asian countries enslaved by the western imperialists. He even wanted to see Asia to go back to its spiritual and moral glory of its ancient civilization discarding the western materialism. But at last he quite unwillingly or willingly accepted Japanese policy of aggressive warfare and political domination of Asia since he saw it as the only 'path' to liberate Asia from western colonialism. His own son Masahido had joined the imperial Japanese army and fell in the battle of Okinawa. Rashbihari himself passed away destitute, ill and heart broken in January 1945, the fateful year in Japanese history. With his death closed a significant chapter of India's freedom struggle against the British empire. I wonder to think what would have happened had he survived the end of WW2 and seen the British army at his door whom he had befooled so successfully !! What would the British have done with him had they met the person after the end of the war, who was their 'most wanted' man 30 years back !! History is really full of enigmas and surprises. I would highly recommend this book to anybody who is interested to learn about the life of such audacious as well as enigmatic revolutionary as Rashbihari Bose.

Rashbihari's photo on postal stamp of independent India

Rashbihari Bose with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

A Japanese video on Rashbihari Bose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxaRgrqGx3E