Nope, he was not. He was just an idealistic nincompoop whom Gandhi could control.
Very idiotic and simplistic for you to say. An idiolistic nincompoop who spent 10 years of his young life in british solitary prison and then went on to became pm of india for 20 years and laid the foundation of democratic republic of india which had the chance to self rule after 800 years! None of us has done even a fraction of what he did. Everyone at that time was controlled by Gandhi, except probably Jinnah and Bose who went separate ways. Gandhi was a force none could stand upto.
These guys were giants, lets not throw mud on them just because we hate Rahul Gandhi.
By the way none in Muslim League or Hindu Mahasava spent a day in jail during freedom struggle. Savarkat actually wrote "im yout most obdient servant" to british to buy his freedom.
Not a bad book, but Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist is better.
Without going into the merit of the two books(although its more like comparing one night in callcenter with meghduta!!), the discovery of india shows Nehrus deep love for Indian civilization and his intimate connection to the identity of India which as a civilization existed for Millenia!
For all the tom toming of ancient India in recent time, I yet to see anything remotely as significant as this book.
How come? So Bose was a 'War Criminal'.
I think i was pretty clear in my post and nowhere did i say bose was an war criminal!
However one can't deny he had authoritarian tendencies and his association with facist Italy, nazi Germany and imperialistic Japan raise eyebrow. I know he did what he did for his selfless love for his country and what he thought for the best of India but I still think democracy would not have thrived under him.
Bose was also very secular( i know its crime to be one these days, but coudnt resist) as can be witnessed by his choice of person to lead INA.
Good we agree on something at least, with that positive note, let me bid adieu for tonight.