ROLE OF ANNIE BESANT TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION
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Abstract
Annie Besant was an Irish political activist, free-thinker and Fabian socialist. After embracing Theosophy under the tutelage of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, a Russian mystic, Besant embarked on her mission of propagating theosophical ideals, and reached the shores of India in 1893. However, in India Hinduism fascinated her to such an extent that she devoted herself to promoting Hinduism. She toured the length and breadth of India, and lectured intensely on the lofty ideals of Hinduism. However, Besant was of the opinion that absence of religious education in government schools and colleges and teaching of Christianity in missionary educational institutions was responsible for religious neutrality and scepticism among Hindu youth, and hence the fallen state of Hinduism. To remedy this state, she emphasised the need for its revival, and propagated the idea that religious education of Hindu youths should become an integral part of their education.
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References
The Founder President of Theosophical Society H.S. Olcott, and co-founder, H.P. Blavatsky established the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society on 9 October, 1888, in London. This organization was to be an integral part of the society. The main object of Esoteric Section was: To promote the Esoteric interests of the Theosophical Society by the deeper study of Esoteric Philosophy, there is hereby organized a body to be known as the Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society. The Constitution and sole direction of the same is vested in Mme. Blavatsky as Director, she is solely responsible to the members for results and the section has no official or corporate connection with the Esoteric Society save in the person of the President-Founder.
Jinarajadasa, A Short Biography of Dr. Annie Besant, TPH, Adyar, 1932. p. 18.
Charles Bradlaugh, A Character Sketch, T.P.H, Adyar, Madras, 1941. p. 74.
Panchamas means people who belong to the untouchable community. They were kept outside the caste circle. They faced (even now are facing) untouchability. The Panchama School started by H.S. Olcott became the centre of a group of five schools all for Harijans. Dr. W.M. English became the first superintendent of the school. Sir Arthur Havelock the then Governor of Madras visited this school in June 1896 and granted grant-in-aid from the Government. Another school was opened at Kodambhakam in honour of H.P. Blavatsky in 1898. This school was seven and half miles away from Adyar. The Third school Damodar School, named after Damodar Kalavankar was started at Teynampet on 2 October, 1899 with 27 children. A fourth school was opened in Mylapore in September 1901, bearing the name of the ancient Tamil saint Tiruvalluvar who composed Thirukural. A fifth school, Annie Besant School was opened at Krishnampet in May 1906 at the suggestion of the Madras Municipality, for the upliftment of the scavengers of the locality. The Municipality gave free of use two huts and also a contribution of 2,400 rupees. All the schools were brought under the management of board of eight members incorporated on 17 October, 1905 and decided to be called under the collective name of 'The Olcott Panchama Free Schools'. For details: See, C. Jinarajadasa, (ed.), The Golden Book of Theosophical Society, TPH, Adyar, 1925. pp. 295-296.
Felix Layton, The Theosophical Educational Movement, TPH, Adyar, 1982. pp. 101-104.
Ibid., p. 108.
Adyar Lodge Public Lecture delivered by S. Sri Ram, on Dr. Besant's work for Education in India, held in Gokhale Hall, Madras on 10 July, 1947. For Details: The Indian Theosophist, Vol. 90, No. 2, February 1993, Varanasi, 1993. pp. 32-33.
Annie Besant, Education as a National Duty, Pamphlet Series No. 23. A Lecture delivered in Bombay on Monday, 9 March l903, TPH, Benares, 1903. p. 2-3.
C. Jinarajadasa (ed.), The Golden Book of Theosophical Society, (1875-1925), T.P.H, Adyar, Madras, 1925. pp. 297-299.
Ibid., p. 308.
Mrs. Annie Besant, The Besant Spirit Series, Vol. 2, T.P.H, Adyar, 1913. p. 18.
George Sidney Arundale, The Problem of Education in The Theosophical outlook Conventional Lectures - 1917, TPH, Adyar, 1918. pp. 22-23.
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