Annie Besant (Aged 86) a British social reformer, Fabian socialist, theosophist, and Indian independence leader, was born on October 1, 1847, in Clapham Town, London, United Kingdom. She had been married to an Anglican clergyman, but they separated in 1873. After her separation, she became associated with Charles Bradlaugh, an atheist and social reformer, for many years.
Besant was an early advocate of birth control, and under the influence of George Bernard Shaw, she became a prominent Fabian socialist in the late 1880s. In 1889, she converted to the doctrines of Helena Blavatsky, a Russian-born religious mystic and co-founder of the Theosophical Society. The teachings of the society emphasized human service, spiritual evolutionism drawn from both Eastern and Western esoteric philosophy, and the role of suprahuman masters of wisdom. Besant became deeply involved in theosophical work, delivering lectures and writing extensively. Her books and articles are still regarded as some of the best expositions of theosophical belief. She served as international president of the Theosophical Society from 1907 until her death, primarily residing at its headquarters in Madras.
Besant actively participated in educational and humanitarian work in India and became involved in the Indian independence movement. In 1916, she launched the All India Home Rule League with Lokmanya Tilak, modeling demands for India on Irish nationalist practices. The league was the first political party in India to have regime change as its main goal and worked all year round, unlike the Congress itself. When Besant was arrested, the Congress and the Muslim League threatened to launch protests if she were not set free. The government was forced to give way and make vague but significant concessions, announcing that the ultimate aim of British rule was Indian self-government, and moves in that direction were promised. Besant was released in September 1917 and welcomed by crowds all over India. In December of the same year, she took over as president of the Indian National Congress for a year. Both Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi spoke of Besant’s influence with admiration.
After the war, a new leadership of the Indian National Congress emerged around Mahatma Gandhi, one of those who had written to demand Besant’s release. Gandhi was a lawyer who had returned from leading Asians in a peaceful struggle against racism in South Africa. Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi’s closest collaborator, had been educated by a theosophist tutor. The new leadership was committed to action that was both militant and non-violent, but there were differences between them and Besant. Despite her past, she was not happy with their socialist leanings. However, until the end of her life, she continued to campaign for India’s independence, not only in India but also on speaking tours of Britain. She remained a striking presence on speakers’ platforms, wearing her own version of Indian dress, and produced a torrent of letters and articles demanding independence. Annie Besant died on 20 September 1933 in Adyar, Chennai, Tami Nadu, India.
Annie Besant
(1847 – 1933) – (Tamilnadu)
Annie Besant (Aged 86) a British social reformer, Fabian socialist, theosophist, and Indian independence leader, was born on October 1, 1847, in Clapham Town, London, United Kingdom. She had been married to an Anglican clergyman, but they separated in 1873. After her separation, she became associated with Charles Bradlaugh, an atheist and social reformer, for many years.
Besant was an early advocate of birth control, and under the influence of George Bernard Shaw, she became a prominent Fabian socialist in the late 1880s. In 1889, she converted to the doctrines of Helena Blavatsky, a Russian-born religious mystic and co-founder of the Theosophical Society. The teachings of the society emphasized human service, spiritual evolutionism drawn from both Eastern and Western esoteric philosophy, and the role of suprahuman masters of wisdom. Besant became deeply involved in theosophical work, delivering lectures and writing extensively. Her books and articles are still regarded as some of the best expositions of theosophical belief. She served as international president of the Theosophical Society from 1907 until her death, primarily residing at its headquarters in Madras.
Besant actively participated in educational and humanitarian work in India and became involved in the Indian independence movement. In 1916, she launched the All India Home Rule League with Lokmanya Tilak, modeling demands for India on Irish nationalist practices. The league was the first political party in India to have regime change as its main goal and worked all year round, unlike the Congress itself. When Besant was arrested, the Congress and the Muslim League threatened to launch protests if she were not set free. The government was forced to give way and make vague but significant concessions, announcing that the ultimate aim of British rule was Indian self-government, and moves in that direction were promised. Besant was released in September 1917 and welcomed by crowds all over India. In December of the same year, she took over as president of the Indian National Congress for a year. Both Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi spoke of Besant’s influence with admiration.
After the war, a new leadership of the Indian National Congress emerged around Mahatma Gandhi, one of those who had written to demand Besant’s release. Gandhi was a lawyer who had returned from leading Asians in a peaceful struggle against racism in South Africa. Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi’s closest collaborator, had been educated by a theosophist tutor. The new leadership was committed to action that was both militant and non-violent, but there were differences between them and Besant. Despite her past, she was not happy with their socialist leanings. However, until the end of her life, she continued to campaign for India’s independence, not only in India but also on speaking tours of Britain. She remained a striking presence on speakers’ platforms, wearing her own version of Indian dress, and produced a torrent of letters and articles demanding independence. Annie Besant died on 20 September 1933 in Adyar, Chennai, Tami Nadu, India.
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