Annie Besant
Topic: The National Movement: Gandhian Era · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement"
Meaning
Annie Besant (1847–1933) was a British-born Theosophist of Irish descent. Theosophy was a spiritual movement that praised ancient Indian religion. She settled in India and became an important Congress leader. In 1916 she started a Home Rule League to demand self-government for India. In 1917 she became the first woman president of the Congress.
Example
In February 1916, Annie Besant was among the Congress leaders on the stage at the opening of Banaras Hindu University. There, Gandhi gave his famous speech attacking the rich, jewel-covered elite. Besant had earlier helped found the Central Hindu College in Banaras, which later grew into the university.
Don't confuse with
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak's Home Rule League: Tilak ran a separate league, also started in 1916. It worked mainly in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Besant's league covered most of the rest of India.
Related concepts
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Gandhi in South Africa
- Natal Indian Congress
- Indian Opinion
- Phoenix Settlement
- Tolstoy Farm
- Indian National Congress
- Moderates
- Extremists
- Lal Bal Pal