Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Forward Bloc
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Subhas Chandra Bose was one of the most dynamic and radical leaders of the Indian national movement. His differences with the more moderate leadership of the Indian National Congress, especially on issues relating to British rule during World War II, led him to resign from the Congress presidentship in 1939. After this break, he formed his own political platform to mobilise more militant anti imperialist politics. This question tests your knowledge of the name of that party and its place in the chronology of Bose's political career.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The year 1939 is explicitly mentioned.
- The context is Bose breaking away from the Congress.
- Four party names are offered as options.
- We assume standard modern Indian history narratives about Bose's activities before World War II.
Concept / Approach:
In 1939, after winning the Tripuri Congress session presidency and then clashing with the old guard led by Gandhi and Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from the Indian National Congress presidentship. Subsequently, he formed the Forward Bloc as a new political group within and then ultimately outside the Congress fold, aiming to consolidate the left wing and more radical elements. The Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) was created later in the context of World War II and Japanese support, and it was a military organisation, not a party formed in 1939. The other names, Indian Freedom Party and Revolutionary Front, do not correspond to recognised political parties led by Bose in standard textbooks.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Place the event in time. The question refers to the year 1939, just after Bose's resignation from the Congress presidentship.
Step 2: Recall that in May 1939, Subhas Chandra Bose founded the Forward Bloc as a political platform to unite leftist and radical groups.
Step 3: Recognise that the Azad Hind Fauj arose later, when Bose reached Southeast Asia and took over leadership of the Indian National Army, a separate armed force.
Step 4: Note that Indian Freedom Party and Revolutionary Front do not appear in standard accounts of Bose's political organisations.
Step 5: Match this knowledge with the options and identify “Forward Bloc” as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check is to remember the logical sequence: Bose in Congress – conflict with Gandhi – resignation in 1939 – formation of the Forward Bloc within India – escape from India – leadership of the Azad Hind Fauj and Provisional Government of Free India abroad. This ordered chain shows clearly that the first formal organisation he founded after leaving Congress leadership was the Forward Bloc. Contemporary exam manuals on modern India also explicitly mention “Forward Bloc (1939)” in connection with Bose's political trajectory.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Indian Freedom Party is wrong because there is no major historical record of Bose founding a party with this exact name in 1939.
Azad Hind Fauj is wrong because it was a military organisation (Indian National Army) revived and led by Bose later, not a party founded immediately after leaving Congress.
Revolutionary Front is wrong because it does not correspond to the specific, historically recognised organisation set up by Bose in 1939.
Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse Forward Bloc with Azad Hind Fauj because both are strongly associated with Bose and anti British struggle. Another mistake is to treat any name that sounds revolutionary or nationalist as plausible without checking the year and nature of the organisation. To avoid these errors, always connect 1939 with the Forward Bloc (political platform) and 1942 onwards with the Azad Hind Fauj (armed struggle), keeping the two phases of Bose's career clearly separated in your mind.
Final Answer:
After breaking away from the Congress presidentship in 1939, Subhas Chandra Bose founded the Forward Bloc.
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