Keshava Baliram Hedgewar (Marathi: केशव बळीराम हेडगेवार) (April 1, 1889 – June 21, 1940) was the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Hedgewar founded the RSS in Nagpur, Maharashtra in 1925, with the intention of promoting the concept of the Hindu nation. Hedgewar drew upon influences from social and spiritual Hindu reformers such as Swami Vivekananda and Aurobindo to develop the core philosophy of the RSS. After being sent to Kolkota to pursue a degree in medicine, Hedgewar was drawn into the influence of secret revolutionary organisations like the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar in Bengal. He was also a member of the Hindu Mahasabha till 1929. Hedgewar was imprisoned for sedition by the British government in 1921 for a year and again in 1930 for nine months. After his spell in prison he instructed the RSS to remain aloof from political activities including the Salt Satyagraha (1930) and continue mainly as a social organisation ^[1]. Image File history File links Hedgewar. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... , Nāgpur   (Marathi: नागपुर) Third largest city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune with a population of 2. ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... , Nāgpur   (Marathi: नागपुर) Third largest city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune with a population of 2. ... Marathi (मराठी ) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western India. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindi: , English: ), also known as the Sangh or the RSS, is a Hindu nationalist organization in India. ... , Nāgpur   (Marathi: नागपुर) Third largest city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune with a population of 2. ... , Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , IPA  , translation: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Hindu nationalism is a nationalist ideology that sees the modern state of the Republic of India as a Hindu polity [1] (Hindu Rashtra), and seeks to preserve the Hindu heritage. ... Hinduism is going through a phase of regeneration and reform through the vehicle of several contemporary movements, collectively termed as Hindu reform movements. ... Swami Vivekananda (Sanskrit: , Svāmi Vivekānanda) (January 12, 1863 – July 4, 1902), whose pre-monastic name was Narendranath Dutta (Bengali: , Nôrendrônath Dôt-tô), was one of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of the philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga. ... Śrī Aurobindo Śrī Aurobindo (August 15, 1872–December 5, 1950) was an Indian nationalist, scholar, poet, Hindu mystic, Evolutionary philosopher, yogi and guru. ... This article is on Calcutta/Kolkata, the city. ... Anushilan Samiti was the principal secret revolutionary organisation operating in Bengal in the first quarter of the 20th century. ... For other uses, see Bengal (disambiguation). ... Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, a Hindu nationalist organization originally founded in 1915 to counter the Muslim League and the secular Indian National Congress. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sedition is a term of law which refers to covert conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order. ... Anthem God Save The Queen/King British India, circa 1860 Capital Calcutta (1858-1912), New Delhi (1912-1947) Language(s) Hindi, Urdu, English and many others Government Monarchy Emperor of India  - 1877-1901 Victoria  - 1901-1910 Edward VII  - 1910-1936 George V  - January-December 1936 Edward VIII  - 1936-1947 George... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Scenes on the eve of the Salt Satyagraha, Gandhis famous 240 mile march on foot to the sea at Dandi. ... Year 1930 (MCMXXX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Early life and career

Dr Hedgewar was born in 1889 on the Marathi New Year. He hailed from a Deshastha Brahmin family which was originally from Kundakurti, a small village in Bodhan taluka near the border of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh states. Near this village, three rivers meet to form a Triveni sangam. The rivers are Godavari, Vanjara and Haridra. The Hedgewar family is from Rigveda's Aashwalayan Sutra's Shakalshakhiya Deshastha Brahmin branch. The gotra of the family is Kashyap. Shri Vallabhesh Brahmin is considered as their mula-purush (family originator) of the family. This Vallabhesh brahmin is connected to Shri Shripad Shrivallabha, the first avatar of Dattatreya. It is said that he was revived by Shri Shripad Shrivallabha when he was killed by dacoits on a Guru-dwadashi day. This story is depicted in Shri GuruCharitra's tenth adhyaya. Even today in the Hedgewar family, this story is remembered by tradition. This is not a far fetched connection as the tradition of visiting Ganagapur on Guru-dwadashi day is still followed in these families and in Gurucharitra the story states the gotra of Vallabhesh brahmin to be Kashyap^[2] Marathi is one of the widely spoken languages of India, and has a long literary history. ... Deshastha Brahmins (Marathi: देशस्थ ब्राह्मण) are a Hindu Brahmin sub-caste belonging to the Indo-Aryan ethnic group primarily from the Indian state of Maharashtra . ... , Maharashtra (Marathi: महाराष्ट्र , IPA  , translation: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in area and second largest in population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Andhra redirects here. ... Rig veda is the oldest text in the world. ... Deshastha Brahmins (Marathi: देशस्थ ब्राह्मण) are a Hindu Brahmin sub-caste belonging to the Indo-Aryan ethnic group primarily from the Indian state of Maharashtra . ... A gotra is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth. ... Shripad ShriVallabha (Sripad SriVallabha) is considered as the first avatara (incarnation) of the deity Shri Dattatreya. ... This article is about the concept in Hindu philosophy. ... In the Natha tradition, Dattatreya is recognized as an Avatar or incarnation of the Lord Shiva and as the Adi-Guru (First Teacher) of the Adi-Nath sampradaya of the Nathas. ... Shripad ShriVallabha (Sripad SriVallabha) is considered as the first avatara (incarnation) of the deity Shri Dattatreya. ... Shri GuruCharitra is the most influential book written in Marathi. ... Shri GuruCharitra is the most influential book written in Marathi. ... A gotra is the lineage or clan assigned to a Hindu at birth. ...

In his early childhood Dr Hedgewar lost his parents and was educated by his elder brother. After matriculating, he decided to go toKolkata to study medicine. Hedgewar was sent to Kolkata by Moonje in 1910 to pursue his medical studies and unofficially learn the techniques of terror from the secret revolutionary organisations like the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar in Bengal^[1]. He immediately joined Anushilan Samiti and had contacts with famous revolutionaries like Surya Sen^{[citation needed]}. He came to believe that although the revolutionaries had immense determination, in a country of continental proportions it was impossible to instigate an armed insurrection. After completing his graduation, he returned to Nagpur, disillusioned with armed movement. In his memoirs, the third chief of RSS, Balasahab Deoras narrates an incident when Hedgewar saved him and others from following the path of Bhagat Singh and his comrades^[3]. , “Calcutta” redirects here. ... B.S. Moonje ( बी.एस.मूंजी ) A prominent Hindu Mahasabha member, later played a lead role in founding RSS. Born 12 December 1872, at Bilaspur currently in Chattisgarh. ... Indian Postage stamp on Surya Sen Surya Sen, a teacher by profession, was the chief architect of anti-British movement in Chittagong. ... Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras (commonly addressed as Balasaheb) was an Indian politician and former Sarsanghchalak, or chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the largest Hindu nationalist organisation in India. ... Bhagat Singh (Punjabi: ਭਗਤ ਸਿੰਘ بھگت سنگھ, IPA: ) (September 27, 1907[1] –March 23, 1931) was an Indian freedom fighter, considered to be one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement. ...

In Nagpur he became involved with social work and also with the Tilak faction of the Congress Party, through which he developed a close association with Dr Moonje. In the 1920 session of INC, which was held in Nagpur, he was appointed as the Deputy Chief Co-ordinator of volunteers overseeing the whole function. This volunteer organisation was named as "Bharat Swayamsewak Mandal" which was headed by Dr. Laxman V. Paranjape (Dr. Hedgewar as his Deputy). All volunteers were told to wear a uniform (to be made at their own expense) which was later on adopted as RSS's official uniform from 1925 to 1940. This could be called as the real beginning of RSS because Dr L. V. Paranjpe had declared the intention of starting such an organisation in future^[2]. Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856 - 1920), was an Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. ... The Indian National Congress (also known as the Congress Party) is the largest subscription-based organisation in the world. ... B.S. Moonje ( बी.एस.मूंजी ) A prominent Hindu Mahasabha member, later played a lead role in founding RSS. Born 12 December 1872, at Bilaspur currently in Chattisgarh. ...

Background of RSS

Dr. Hedgewar slowly came to the conclusion that all the problems he felt the Hindu community in India faced - subjugation and oppression by 'foreigners' in the present and past, provincialism, and untouchability - were a result of an inherent flaw in the Hindu character rather than problems themselves: "If one is suffering from some rashes on skin, then applying a balm on these rashes are not a remedy if these rashes are arising from a defect in blood."^{[citation needed]}

He felt a remedy was a cultural organisation that would unite Hindus on a common platform and instill among them discipline and national character; in this endeavour, he was blessed by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar^{[citation needed]}, who was then under house imprisonment in Ratnagiri. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Vināyak Dāmodar Sāvarkar (Marathi: विनायक दामोदर सावरकर) (May 28, 1883 – February 26, 1966) was an Indian politician and activist, who is credited with developing the Hindu nationalist political ideology Hindutva. ...

Inception of RSS

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) first met in 1925 in a small ground in Nagpur with 5-6 persons on Vijaya Dashami. The basic element of RSS was to be the Shakha (i.e. branch); in every town/village, on open ground, everyday, for an hour swayamsevaks were toperform drills, exercise and chant slogans. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Dasara. ... Shakha (IAST ), literally branch or limb, is the Sanskrit term for a recension or version of Vedic texts according to a particular school. ...

His initial followers included Bhaiyyaji Dani, Bhaurao Deoras, Balasaheb Deoras, Vyankappa Patki, and Appaji Joshi. Madhukar Dattatraya Deoras (commonly addressed as Balasaheb) was an Indian politician and former Sarsanghchalak, or chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the largest Hindu nationalist organisation in India. ...

The Sarsanghchalak is the paramount leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. ... Year 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... M S Golwalkar Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar, popularly known as Guruji was the second sarasanghachalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, was born on 19 February 1906 at Ramtek near Nagpur, Maharashtra. ...

See also

External links

• Official Website of RSS

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Hedgewar And RSS - By Sushila Ramaswamy in The Statesman 26 June, 2003 - Reprinted in Countercurrents.org
2. ^ ^{a b} Dr. Hedgewar Charitra: N. H. Palkar, pp 1-2, 435-436, 73
3. ^ Religion, power and violence: expression of politics in contemporary times: Ram Puniyani, pp 27, SAGE, 2005 ISBN 0761933387

Established in 1875, The Statesman is among the leading daily newspapers of India. ...

Notes

1. "RSS: A Vision in Action" by H. V. Sheshadri
2. "Bunch of Thoughts" by M. S. Golwalkar