an Kuhlmann studied history, philosophy, Latin and education in Wurzburg, Heidelberg, Windsor (Ontario), Berlin and Cologne. He became interested in the biography of Subhas Chandra Bose in the history classes of the South Asia Institute in Heidelberg. Later, he obtained his PhD from Humboldt University, Berlin, for his research on Boses political activity in Europe. He worked as a freelance journalist for local newspapers and government publications for a decade, and now teaches history and Latin at a German secondary school.
On 19 January 1941, Subhas Chandra Bose escaped in disguise from British surveillance in Calcutta to Kabul. There, he established contact with the German and Italian foreign ministries, thereby beginning a long period of collaboration with the Axis Powers to counter British rule in India. This led to the setting up of the Free India Centre, the radio station Azad Hind, and the Indian Legion in which 4,500 Indian volunteers were trained by German experts to fight for the freedom of their nation. While his compatriots resisted colonial rule on native soil, Bose spearheaded the cause of freedom in Europe. Using Machiavellian tactics, he discreetly played the Axis leaders off against each other and courted considerable public favour through his transmissions on Radio Azad Hind.
