Founding of the Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Movement, founded in 1875 by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott, sought universal brotherhood and reformation of social practices in India. Key figure Annie Besant, who led the movement after 1907, founded the Central Hindu College, contributing significantly to education and women's rights. Despite its limited impact and some criticisms, the movement promoted Indian traditions and provided a sense of self-respect during British rule.
- Established in 1875: The Theosophical Society was founded by a group of westerners led by Madame H.P. Blavatsky (1831-1891) and Colonel M.S. Olcott in New York City, United States. The society's headquarters were shifted to Adyar, near Madras, India, in 1882.
- Philosophical Beliefs: The society believed in establishing a special relationship between a person’s soul and God through contemplation, prayer, and revelation. It accepted Hindu beliefs in reincarnation and karma and drew inspiration from the Upanishads, as well as samkhya, yoga, and Vedanta schools of thought.
Aims and Activities
- Universal Brotherhood: The society aimed to work for the universal brotherhood of humanity without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color.
- Reform Initiatives: It opposed child marriage, advocated the abolition of caste discrimination, the uplift of outcastes, and the improvement of the condition of widows.
- Allied with Hindu Renaissance: The Theosophical Movement became allied with the Hindu renaissance, and at one point, it also allied with the Arya Samaj.
Annie Besant's Leadership
- Annie Besant (1847-1933): After Olcott's death in 1907, Annie Besant was elected as the president of the Theosophical Society. She had come to India in 1893 and played a significant role in its activities.
- Foundation of Central Hindu College (1898): Besant founded the Central Hindu College in Benaras, where Hindu religion and Western scientific subjects were taught. The college later became the nucleus for the formation of Benaras Hindu University in 1916.
- Education for Women: Besant did much for the cause of women’s education in India.
Impact and Legacy
- Limited Impact: To the average Indian, the Theosophist philosophy seemed vague and lacked a positive program, limiting its impact to a small segment of the westernized class.
- Self-Respect and Indian Traditions: Although it was not highly successful as a religious revivalist movement, the Theosophical Society gave much-needed self-respect to Indians fighting British colonial rule by glorifying Indian religious and philosophical traditions.
- False Sense of Pride: On the other hand, it also had the effect of giving a false sense of pride to Indians in some outdated and backward-looking traditions and philosophies.
