Where the chant of freedom began
We all know the impact Netaji has on our minds and the pages of history. The Netaji Bhawan is his own home and that alone is reason enough for you to visit the place. It was built way back in 1909 on the hip streets of Elgin Road by his father Janakinath Bose. Very recently, in 1961, the building was made into a museum by the administration of the Netaji Research Bureau. It is a center for the bureau and is maintained by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
The place was designed following the archetypical Bengali architecture. You will be welcomed by imposing pillars, porticoes, and courtyards but once you enter the building you will be transported back into the days of the Indian Independence Movement. The entryway has a plaque with the name of J.N Bose. As you walk towards the main portico, you will see the INA Memorial engraved with the motto' Ittefaq. Itmad. Kurbaani’.
Collecting tales of the past
You will be enthralled seeing the collection at the museum. Apart from the personal belongings and artifacts of Bose, you will also find a large bedstead belonging to Janakinath. You can also walk up the flight of stairs and find the car that Netaji took to escape from his house arrest. As you walk through the hallowed halls you will feel as if you're walking among snippets of history. The museum has also displayed articles, documents, and photographs that show a timeline of Netaji’s life. There are pictures of his life in Europe, his trips to the Andaman Islands, and his days of capture in Mandalay. There are some rare items like postage stamps, German military documents converted to Hindi, and Azad Hind journals.
Do not forget to visit the 'Freedom Library'. There are books about freedom fighters, their struggles, the missions planned and executed, periodicals, and documents written by Sarat Chandra Bose. The 'Sarat Bose Hall' in the house can seat 115 people and is a place where special film shows on Netaji and other documentaries and movies are screened specially for people who are curious and eager to learn more about the freedom movement.
