Hedgewar (Founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)

A Definitive Biography

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Dr Ksehav Baliram Hedgewar’s role as the intellectual fountainhead of BJP’s parent organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) deserves special attention. Exploring his life, philosophy, and work, this first definitive biography opens a window to Hedgewar’s worldview, which was deeply influenced by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, among others.

Were British hegemony and Indian National Congress wary of Hedgewar and RSS? Why did Hedgewar give up Congress and individually defended the charge of sedition by the British? Why did he perceive the world differently to most of his contemporaries? And, most importantly, why did he abandon his pursuit of political power, and instead chose to devote his life to cultural nationalism, as a root to national reawakening.

As we observe the ideology of Hindutva in political ascendancy in India today, won’t it be appropriate to say that Hedgewar has been more influential on modern India than any other including Gandhi? Comprehensive, evocative and deeply researched Hedgeewar will definitely interest history enthusiasts, especially those who are keen to know more about India’s forgotten history, politics and society.