Title

Conundrum: Subhas Bose's Life After Death by Chandrachur Ghose. Published by Aleph Book Company, 2019. Hardcover, 336 pages, with black and white photographs, maps, and notes. ISBN-10: 9389836103.

Chandrachur Ghose on Twitter: "#Conundrum is the jaw-dropping tale of #Netaji Subhas Bose after he returned to India, cheating death. A living Bose watched and commented on India's wars and politics. 'Gods

Thesis

The thesis of "Conundrum: Subhas Bose's Life After Death" by Chandrachur Ghose is to provide a detailed account of the various theories and controversies surrounding the death of Subhas Chandra Bose, the prominent Indian nationalist leader. The author delves deep into the life of Subhas Bose and meticulously analyzes the historical events that led to his death. He investigates the various conspiracy theories surrounding Bose's alleged survival and explores the motives behind the government's refusal to release classified documents related to his death. The book seeks to answer the question of whether Bose died in a plane crash in Taiwan in 1945, or whether he managed to escape to other countries under a different identity.

Ghose argues that the mystery surrounding Bose's death results fromis the result of a lack of transparency from the Indian government and the British authorities who were in power during that period. The author carefully examines the available evidence and provides a comprehensive account of the events leading up to Bose's death. He also explores the political climate of the time and the various actors involved in the conspiracy to silence Bose.

In addition to providing a detailed account of the historical events surrounding Bose's death, Ghose also seeks to shed light on the larger themes of Indian nationalism and the struggle for independence from British colonial rule. The author highlights the importance of Bose's legacy in Indian history and his contributions to the fight for Indian independence.

Summary

The book "Conundrum: Subhas Bose's Life After Death" by Chandrachur Ghose, published by Penguin India in 2019, is a detailed examination of the life, death and posthumous mystery surrounding Indian nationalist leader Subhas Chandra Bose.

The book presents a thesis that Bose did not die in a plane crash in 1945, as is widely believed, but instead lived on in hiding until hehis dieddeath in 1985. The author provides a detailed account of the evidence and testimonies that support this theory, including eyewitness accounts, official documents, and forensic analysis.

The book is divided into three parts, with the first part providing aa background on Bose's life and the circumstances surrounding his alleged death. The second part presents the evidence supporting the theory that Bose lived oonn after 1945, including his movements and activities during his alleged years in hiding. The third part discusses the implications of Bose's alleged survival and the impact it could have had on Indian history and politics.

Strengths

The major strength of the book is its detailed and comprehensive coverage of the life of Subhas Chandra Bose, a prominent figure in India's struggle for independence from British rule. The book provides a thorough and meticulous account of Bose's life, both before and after his supposed death in a plane crash in 1945, covering his childhood, education, political career, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. The author has also included a vast array of primary and secondary sources, including personal letters, government records, and interviews, which adds credibility to the information presented.

Another strength of the book is its ability to bring to light lesser-known facts about Subhas Chandra Bose, such as his interaction with the Soviet Union and his efforts to seek help from Japan and Germany during World War II. The book sheds light on the less-talked-about aspects of Bose's life, providing a more complete and nuanced understanding of his political ideology and the factors that drove his actions.

Additionally, the author's writing style is engaging and easy to read, making the book accessible to a wide range of readers. The use of maps and photographs also enhances the reading experience and provides a visual aid to help readers better understand the historical context of Bose's life.

Weaknesses

The book is not without its flaws, however. Some readers may find the author's style a bit dense and academic, with frequent references to historical and political contexts that can be hard to follow. While the book offers a detailed account of the events surrounding Subhas Chandra Bose's death, it has a few weaknesses. Firstly, the book is overly focused on the controversy surrounding Bose's death, and does not delve as deeply into his life and achievements as it could. This can make the book less engaging for readers who are less familiar with Bose's legacy. Additionally, the author tends to rely on conjecture and speculation when it comes to certain aspects of the story, and presents some evidence in a biased way that may make readers question its accuracy. Finally, the book's conclusion is somewhat anticlimactic, and leaves many questions unanswered, which may leave readers feeling unsatisfied.

Assessment

Ghose's Conundrum is an important and timely contribution to the study of Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian freedom movement. The book offers a fresh and provocative perspective on a subject that has long been shrouded in mystery and myth. While the book may not provide definitive answers to all the questions surrounding Bose's death, it raises many important issues and challenges readers to rethink their assumptions and beliefs about this complex and fascinating historical figure. The author's writing style can be dense and academic at times, which may make it difficult for casual readers to fully engage with the material.

I would recommend "Conundrum: Subhas Bose's Life After Death" to anyone interested in the life of Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian politics, or the history of the British Empire. The book provides a unique and thought-provoking perspective on a controversial figure in Indian history and challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about Bose's life and death. While the book may not provide all the answers, it is a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about Bose's legacy and his impact on Indian independence.

Book Review: “Conundrum: Subhas Bose's Life After Death”