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Jul-Dec(2025) | Vol.3 No.2

Spiritualism in 19th Century: Impact on Political Philosophy of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

Hemant Kumar Hem ORCID

Ph.D Research Scholar, Department of History, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Tanni Moitra ORCID

Assistant Professor, Department of History, Sharda University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

This paper examines the influence of 19th-century Indian spiritualism on the political philosophy of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, analyzing how spiritual ideas shaped his nationalist vision and revolutionary activities. The study traces the evolution of Indian nationalism as deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural ideals propagated by key figures such as Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, and Sri Aurobindo. It investigates how Vivekananda’s emphasis on self-realization, strength, and service to humanity inspired Bose personally and politically. Further, it explores Bankim Chandra’s symbolic depiction of ‘Mother India’ and Aurobindo’s notion of cultural nationalism as an inclusive, spiritually ordained bond uniting India’s diverse peoples. Through a detailed examination of Bose’s early influences, such as his teacher Beni Madhav Das, and his engagement with the teachings of Vivekananda and Aurobindo, the paper elucidates how Bose’s spiritual grounding informed his commitment to complete Indian independence, clarity in political strategy, and emphasis on fraternity beyond caste, religion, and gender. The paper highlights Bose’s unique application of spirituality in politics, including his revolutionary formation of the Indian National Army and advocacy for gender equality through the Rani Jhansi regiment. The paper argues that Bose’s political philosophy cannot be dissociated from his spiritual ideals, showing how spiritualism provided the foundation for his vision of national emancipation and unity. This confluence of spirituality and political action marks Bose as a distinctive leader whose revolutionary pursuits were deeply imbued with metaphysical and moral principles.
Rig Veda. Mandala 1, Hymn 164, Verse 46. Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith, E.J. Lazarus and Co., 1896.
Bhagavad Gita. Chapter 8, Verse 3. Translated by Swami Gambhirananda, Advaita Ashrama, 2007.
Gupta, Mahendranath (“M.”). The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. Translated by Swami Nikhilananda, Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, 1942, p. 36.
“Publisher’s Note.” An Indian Pilgrim, Netaji Research Bureau, 23 Jan. 2021 ed.
Bose, Subhas Chandra. An Indian Pilgrim. Netaji Research Bureau, 23 Jan. 2021 ed., p. 43.
Ibid., pp. 45–46.
Ibid., p. 48.
Ibid., pp. 74–75.
Ibid., p. 78.
Ibid., p. 79.
Ibid., p. 82.
Ibid., p. 80.
Ibid., p. 87.
Ibid.
What Happened to Netaji?. National Book Trust, India, 2015, pp. 6–7.
Dhar, Anuj, and Chandrachur Ghose. Conundrum: Subhas Bose’s Life After Death. Manas Publications, 2016, p. 3.
Ibid., p.4.
Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God. Commentary by Swami Mukundananda, Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog, 2015.
Keywords
Nationalism Spiritualism Adhyatma Anti-colonialism Identity
Cite this Article
Hem, H. K., Moitra, T. (2025). Spiritualism in 19th Century: Impact on Political Philosophy of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Clioquest: Journal of Historical Research, 3(2), 17–25.
Hem, H. K.; Moitra, T. "Spiritualism in 19th Century: Impact on Political Philosophy of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose." Clioquest: Journal of Historical Research, vol. 3, no. 2, 2025, pp. 17–25.
Hem, H. K.; Moitra, T. "Spiritualism in 19th Century: Impact on Political Philosophy of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose." Clioquest: Journal of Historical Research 3, no. 2 (2025): 17–25.
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