Netaji Bhawan

Netaji Bhawan in Kolkata is the ancestral home of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a great patriot of the freedom movement in India. It was the residence of Netaji during his childhood. This memorial hall has been wonderfully restored and maintained by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Netaji Bhawan is the center of the Netaji Research Bureau. It also houses a museum, which showcases the life and time of Subhas Chandra Bose. The staircase, which Netaji used for his secret departure from this house and the car used by him at that time are also in display. This is the ancestral house of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It was build in 1909 by his father Janakinath Bose. Netaji lived in this house during the Indian freedom movement and this house was the center of political activities for freedom fighters. Netaji’s study and bedroom is preserved inside this house in original conditions. The site has an immense historical importance and worth a visit.

Location of Netaji Bhawan at Kolkata

Netaji Bhawan is located at Lala Lajpat Rai Sarani, earlier known as Elgin Road in Kolkata.

 

Detail and history of Netaji Bhawan

Netaji Bhawan, the ancestral residence of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is a memorial hall, one of the star tourist attractions of Kolkata. Sarat Chandra Bose contributed this house for nation’s service on January 23, 1947. Netaji Bhawan includes museum, archives and a well-stocked library. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose spent his childhood in this house and he was also put under house arrest here, till he escaped to Berlin in 1941. After that he relocate by submarine to Japan occupied Southeast Asia and organized the famous Indian National Army. From there with the Imperial Japanese Army, he announced his war against the British Empire.

Netaji Bhawan is owned and managed by Netaji Research Bureau. The Netaji Research Bureau has immensely contributed to the life and history of Netaji and collected relevant materials from across the globe. Netaji Research Bureau established the Netaji Museum in 1961. The museum is a wonderfully organized biographical museum, devoted to the life of Netaji. The museum showcases stuffs collected from across the globe that are relevant with Netaji. The Netaji Museum is quite unique and splendid in its own way. It offers a good understanding to the visitors about the challenging life and career of an outstanding personality, like Netaji.

Netaji has always been highly revered by people for his immense contribution to the freedom movement of India. Moreover, his mysterious disappearance triggered the curiosity of common people about him even more. Hence, Netaji Bhavan attracts hoards of visitors, since the day it was open to public.

The house of Netaji is typically like a Bengali household. It is built with traditional pillars and porticos. The main portico is admired with a replica, which bears the motto “Ittefaq”, “Itmad”, “Korbani” etched on it. The bedroom of Netaji is on the first floor, where all his belongings are displayed in an organized way. A number of documents, photographs, and articles, related to the life and work of Netaji are arranged in a chronological and systematic order in the top floor of the house. This top floor has been endowed with a modernized look with special effects and lightening. The letters and pictures here depict gradual growing of Subhas Chandra from a kid to a student at Cambridge, then to a captive at Mandalay and G.O.C. of the Volunteer Corps at Calcutta in 1928. The next section tells the story of his setting up of the Indian Associations.

The next room depicts the European ventures of Subhas Chandra. The pictures here show Bose’s training of Azad Hind Fauz and his meetings with European diplomats and statesman. There exists also a gallery depicting Azad Hind Movement in Europe and East Asia and it also showcase vital document related to the event.

There also exists an auditorium at Netaji Bhavan called Sarat Bose Hall, which hosts lectures, seminars, symposium, etc. The auditorium can accommodate around hundred and fifteen people.

Important dates

During the birthday week of Netaji in the month of January, Netaji Bhavan experiences a huge footfall of a number of visitors. A nice celebration also takes place during this time with a number of cultural activities.