Subhash Chandra Bose, also known as Netaji, was a freedom fighter and leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule. His impassioned speeches and bold actions inspired countless Indians to join the fight for freedom, and his legacy continues to be revered in India to this day.
One of Bose's most famous speeches was delivered in Hindi in the town of Peshawar in 1944. In this speech, Bose addressed a crowd of Indian soldiers who were fighting for the British Army in World War II. He encouraged them to turn their weapons against the British and fight for the independence of India.
"Brothers and sisters," Bose began. "We are gathered here today at a time of great crisis for our country. India is still a colony, oppressed and exploited by a foreign power. But the time has come for us to rise up and claim our rightful place among the nations of the world.
"You are soldiers, trained to fight and defend your country. But for too long, you have been fighting for someone else's freedom, not your own. It is time for you to turn your guns against the oppressors who have kept our country in bondage for so long.
"Do not be afraid to take up arms against the British. They are a small minority, ruling over a vast and populous land. We outnumber them and we have the support of the people. If we stand together and fight with courage and determination, we can and will win our freedom.
"The road ahead will not be easy. There will be sacrifices and hardships. But we must be willing to pay the price for our freedom. The time has come for us to say 'enough is enough' and to fight for our right to self-determination.
"So let us raise our voices and our swords, and pledge to fight until India is free. Let us make this the year of independence, the year when we will shake off the shackles of oppression and rise up as a nation. Jai Hind!"
This speech, with its powerful message of defiance and determination, inspired many Indian soldiers to desert the British Army and join the fight for independence. Bose's stirring words continue to resonate with Indians today, and he is remembered as a hero who dedicated his life to the cause of freedom.