1997 - Subhas Chandra Bose | Commemorative Coin

In 1997, a commemorative coin was issued to mark the Birth Centenary of Subhas Chandra Bose with the incorrect year 1996.

Despite the mistake, the government took corrective action by issuing a gazette notification twice, first on 17th January 1997 with the year 1996 and then on 17th February 1997 with the correct year 1997. The corrected coins, reflecting the accurate year of 1997, were subsequently released on 19th February 1997. This incident marked a notable occurrence in Republic India coinage, as it was the first instance of withdrawing a coin to rectify an error and reissuing it with the correct information.

Subhas Chandra Bose, born on 23 January 1897, and commonly referred to as Netaji, was a prominent Indian revolutionary who played a pivotal role in leading a political and military force against Britain and the Western powers during World War II. As one of the key figures in the Indian independence movement, Bose holds legendary status in India.

Bose was born in Cuttack, Orissa, to Janakinath Bose and Prabhabati Debi. His presumed date of death is 18 August 1945. However, the lack of concrete evidence verifying his demise on that specific day has led to ongoing speculation. In response, the government of India established multiple committees to investigate the circumstances surrounding Bose's death.

Advocating unqualified Swaraj (self-dependence), Bose believed in employing force against the British, setting him at odds with Mahatma Gandhi. This disagreement resulted in a split within the Indian National Congress party, with Gandhi opposing Bose's presidency. Despite Bose's attempts to maintain unity, he eventually formed his own cabinet at Gandhi's suggestion, leading to a division between Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Bose's strategic approach differed from that of Gandhi and Nehru, as he believed in seizing the political instability of war-time Britain to accelerate India's quest for independence, rather than awaiting a post-war grant of independence. This ideological difference further deepened the rift between Bose and Nehru.

Subhas Chandra Bose's legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and determination in the quest for India's independence.