The British government ruled India for many years. The East India Company, which came for trade, tried to claim the legacy of the kings and princes. During this time, many revolutionaries raised their voices and revolted against the East India Company. After which the government came under the control of the British Queen. The British government sent the Governor General and many British officers from England to India, who hollowed out the country with their strategy and politics. But during this time some foreigners also came to India, who raised their voice against the British rule for the independence of the country and fought the war of independence by supporting India.
From the beginning of the rule of the East India Company in India to the death sentence given to Mangal Pandey and finally during the war of independence of India, the names of many foreigners are included in those who supported the country. This includes the names of Professor CF Andrews of St. Stephens College and AO Hume, one of the founders of the Congress, George Yule. Among these foreigners, the name of a foreign woman is taken most prominently. The name of this foreign woman who raised her voice against the British rule for independence was Annie Besant, who was a social worker from Ireland.
Annie Besant's death anniversary is being celebrated on 20 September 2024. On this occasion, Annie Besant's contribution to India's independence should be remembered. Let us know about Annie Besant.
Who was Annie Besant?
Born in an upper middle class family in London, Annie Besant was elected the first woman president of the Congress in Kolkata in 1917. She was originally from Ireland, but was among those foreigners who played an important role in the Indian freedom struggle. Women's rights activist Annie Besant was born on 01 October 1847. Her father was a doctor.
Besant came to India for the first time on 16 November 1893 to attend the annual conference of the Theosophical Society in Adyar, Madras and then stayed here. She founded the Central Hindu College in Varanasi in 1898. During the First World War, in 1914, Annie Besant founded the weekly newspaper 'Commonweal'.
In the same year, she bought the 'Madras Standard' and named it 'New India'. Besant became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1917. To eradicate social evils prevalent in India like child marriage, caste system, widow remarriage, etc., Besant formed the 'Brothers of Service' organization.
(PC: Google)
