Subhas Chandra Bose: Nationalism, Morality and Empire

In the 1940's the range of Indian nationalism had reached a full spectrum of discourse previously thought impossible. The British declaration of war on the Axis Powers on India's behalf was followed quickly by a mass resignation of elected Indian National Congress (INC) leaders, and in the wake of the virtual dissolution of the INC there remained an open field of distinct personalities and often opposing routes toward independence in the eyes of the nationalists. The public, previously herded under the banner of separate politicians joined in a coalition against British oppression together, now were left to choose between the politicians themselves - politicians turned revolutionaries of different intensities and viewpoints who were deeply connected in their passion for Purna Swaraj (complete independence), but intensely differentiated by the answers they proposed in response to the question of how to achieve it.