A transformative perspective on Theosophists contribution to education and politics (1879-1930) Per-Olof Fjällsby Idealizing India A transformative perspective on Theosophists contribution to education and politics (1879-1930) Per-Olof Fjällsby Idealizing India - A transformative perspective on Theosophists contribution to education and politics (1879-1930) Per-Olof Fjällsby ISBN 978-91-7063-683-7 Originally published as "Indien som utopi och verklighet: Om den teosofiska rörelsens bidrag till indisk utbildning och politik 1879-1930" in 2012. ISBN 978-91-7063-425-3 © The author Distribution: Karlstad University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences SE-651 88 Karlstad, Sweden +46 54 700 10 00 Print: Universitetstryckeriet, Karlstad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reface and acknowledgement The idea to write about theosophy in India first came to me with the fascinating accounts of the former freethinker and theosophist Ms Annie Besant and Krishnamurti, writer, speaker and philosopher. During a visit to the Education Centre of the Krishnamurti Foundation in Varanasi, I chanced to listen to Pupul Jayakar, the legendary writer and celebrity in dialogue with schoolchildren speaking passionately about peaceful coexistence between India-Pakistan drawing examples from a recently held cricket match between the two countries. I was impressed with the learning environment and got a glimpse of theosophists’ early involvement in education; the history of Vasanta College for Women and Central Hindu College (a forerunner to the Banaras Hindu University. Being an educationalist myself with a background in teacher training, this was indeed a stimulating quest. As a historian I always felt that the transformative realm of education remains much neglected in the historical writings of the nation building. This book is a modest attempt to fill this gap as it highlights the history of theosophy in India with a special focus on educational institutions, which they tried to create so conscientiously. It also tries to explore the ambiguities and doubts that occasionally features led to political jostle around their time. During my many academic sojourns to Varanasi and other places in India spanning over three decades I made many friends and relished conversations and as well as serious discussions with them. To all of them I extend my sincere thanks for making me aware of the multifaceted realities of India. The long list of friends and colleagues whom I owe my debt include Professor Padmanabhan Krishna, currently in charge of the Krishnamurti Study Centre and Late Dr. Vijay Shivapuri and Dr. Depti Pande from Vasanta College Rajghat, Professor TK Biswas, Professor Rana PB Singh and Professors Anjoo and Priyankar Upadhyaya from Banaras Hindu University. Special thanks are due to Late Dr Om Prakash Sharma who was a constant source of knowledge of local cultures and religions during my field studies across India. I also need to direct my thanks to research and support staff of many institutions including National Archives of India and Nehru Memorial in Delhi, Adyar Library in Chenai, Bharat Kala Bhavan at Banaras Hindu University, Rajghat Education Centre and the Library at the Theosophical Society in Varanasi. I also received valuable input from my Swedish colleagues whom I would like to acknowledge: Professor Emeritus Karl Reinold Haellqvist who passed away less than a year after our collaboration started. He was a historian whose career was dedicated promoting the knowledge of South Asia. He gave me the confidence to carry on my research after reading my first manuscript. My mentor has been Professor Emeritus Sune Akerman who inspired me unceasingly with his vast knowledge and long experience. Finally, a special word of gratefulness to Professor Emeritus Tekeste Negash, formerly at University of Uppsala who wisely advised me not to be over ambitious and that I don’t have to include all aspects of the Theosophical Society in my research. I also wish to record my appreciation to Dr Adrian Velicu, who put a lot of efforts in translating this book from Swedish. Last but not least, I thank my family and specially my wife Inga-Lill who is the main reason why this book has been published. 1 Contents Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................... 5 The Enquiry .................................................................................................... 7 Methodological Considerations ......................................................................... 9 The Theoretical Perspectives of the Thesis ........................................................ 10 Thought Style and Thought Collective ......................................................................................... 10 Other Theoretical Perspectives ...................................................................................................... 13 Sources and other Material .............................................................................. 15 Theosophical Literature ................................................................................................................ 17 Biographies .................................................................................................................................... 20 The Extra-theosophical State of Research .......................................................... 22 The Early Criticism ....................................................................................................................... 22 Occultism ....................................................................................................................................... 25 The Theosophical Society as a reform movement in India ........................................................... 27 The Theosophists in the historical surveys .................................................................................... 28 The Plan of this Study ..................................................................................... 34 Chapter 2 ...................................................................................... 37 The Theosophical Society – The Ideas and the Movement .................... 37 Theosophy – a reflection of nineteenth-century intellectual currents ..................... 38 H.P. Blavatsky and H.S. Olcott – the founders of theosophy ........................................................ 41 Texts and Teachings ....................................................................................... 46 Humankind and universal brotherhood ........................................................................................ 47 Races and nations .......................................................................................................................... 48 The occult way of knowledge ........................................................................................................ 52 The spiritual masters ...................................................................................................................... 53 The first contacts with India .......................................................................................................... 54 The Mahatma Scandal .................................................................................................................. 58 Blavatsky’s last years ...................................................................................................................... 61 Members, organization and movement ............................................................. 63 The development of the membership 1875-1930 .......................................................................... 63 Who became a member? ............................................................................................................... 67 The attempt to create the theosophical ideal society ..................................................................... 69 Ambivalence before modernity – a movement’s perspective ................................. 71 British movements critical of modernization ................................................................................. 73 Annie Besant – the English period ..................................................................... 78 The encounter with the Promised Land ........................................................................................ 88 How can Besant’s transition between different movements be explained? ................................... 90 Chapter Three ............................................................................... 93 Reform Movements and the Growth of Indian Nationalism ................. 93 The British influence – colonizing thought ......................................................... 93 A nationalist movement develops .................................................................................................