Dr. Annie Besant was born to Irish parents
in London on October 1, 1847. From 1893 India was her home. She is one of the
foreigners who inspired patriotism among Indians. She declared in 1918, "I
love Indian people as I love none other, and... my heart and my mind... have
long been laid on the alter of the Motherland". She was a woman of much
energy, interests and oratory. She was separated from her husband in 1873.
After this she became a member of the Fabian Society and then Theosophical
Society. In 1907, she was elected President of this organization. She held that
position until her death.
She founded the Home Rule League in 1917.
The purpose behind it was to gain freedom of the country and revive the
country's cultural heritage. She attended the 1914 session of the Indian
National Congress and presided over it in 1917. She could not understand the
meaning of the Satyagraha movement. As a result, she withdrew from Home Rule
League, in opposition to Mahatma Gandhi's leadership. She identified the talent
in young men and women. Her inspiration brought up many leaders. The world
famous philosopher K. Krishnamurthy is one of them.
She lived most of her remaining years in
India, rejoined at last by her son and daughter. After campaigning brilliantly
for Home Rule, she died in Madras in 1933.
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