Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, also known as Doctorji, was the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization in India. He was born on April 1, 1889, in Nagpur, India. He was the second of seven children born to Baliram Pant Hedgewar, a Marathi Brahmin, and Revati Bai Hedgewar.

Hedgewar grew up in a middle-class family in Nagpur and was deeply influenced by his parents’ commitment to social and political causes. His father was a member of the Indian National Congress and the Nagpur Municipal Council, and his mother was a devout Hindu who instilled in him a strong sense of cultural and spiritual values.

Hedgewar’s childhood was marked by a strong sense of community and a commitment to social welfare. He was deeply involved in various community activities and was known for his compassion and his commitment to helping those in need. His parents encouraged him to develop his intellect and his sense of social responsibility, and they instilled in him a deep respect for Indian culture and tradition.

Despite the challenges of growing up in a colonial society, Hedgewar remained deeply committed to the cause of Indian independence and worked tirelessly to promote Hindu nationalism and social welfare throughout his life. His childhood experiences helped shape his worldview and his commitment to social and political causes.

Early Life and Education Hedgewar grew up in Nagpur and received his primary education at a local school. He then went on to study at the local high school and later enrolled at the Government Medical College in Nagpur to study medicine. While in college, he became involved in various political and social activities and was a member of several organizations, including the Anushilan Samiti and the Hindu Mahasabha.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar was an excellent student throughout his academic career. He received his early education at a local school in Nagpur, where he was known for his sharp intellect and his commitment to social causes.

After completing his primary education, Hedgewar went on to study at the Hislop College in Nagpur, where he excelled in his studies and was involved in various extracurricular activities. He was particularly interested in sports and was a talented athlete.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Hedgewar decided to pursue a career in medicine. He enrolled at the Government Medical College in Nagpur, where he continued to excel in his studies and was known for his dedication to his patients.

Despite his busy schedule as a medical student, Hedgewar remained deeply committed to social and political causes. He was involved in various nationalist organizations and was an active member of the Indian National Congress. He was particularly interested in promoting Hindu nationalism and social welfare, and he worked tirelessly to promote these causes throughout his life.

Hedgewar graduated from medical school in 1914 and began practicing medicine in Nagpur. However, he soon realized that his true calling was in the political arena, and he decided to devote his life to the cause of Indian independence and the promotion of Hindu nationalism.

In 1915, Hedgewar graduated with a degree in medicine and began practicing as a doctor in Nagpur. However, he was more interested in politics and social work than in his medical practice. He became actively involved in the Indian independence movement and was arrested several times for his participation in nationalist activities.

Formation of RSS In 1925, Hedgewar founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Nagpur, with the aim of promoting Hindu nationalism and creating a network of volunteers who could work towards the betterment of society. The RSS was inspired by the concept of “Hindutva,” which emphasized the cultural and spiritual unity of Hindus and aimed to create a sense of national pride and unity among Hindus.

The RSS was based on the concept of the “shakha,” which was a local unit where volunteers could gather for physical training, cultural education, and social work. The shakhas were open to all Hindus, regardless of caste or class, and were meant to promote unity and brotherhood among the volunteers.

Growth of RSS Under Hedgewar’s leadership, the RSS grew rapidly, and by the 1930s, it had established shakhas in several parts of India. The organization’s popularity grew during the Indian independence movement, and many of its members actively participated in the struggle for freedom.

However, the RSS was banned by the British colonial government in 1948, following the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by a former RSS member. The organization went underground but continued to work towards its goal of promoting Hindu nationalism and social welfare.

Later Life and Legacy Hedgewar continued to lead the RSS until his death in 1940. He was succeeded by M.S. Golwalkar, who served as the second Sarsanghchalak (Supreme Leader) of the RSS.

Hedgewar’s legacy is still felt in India, where the RSS continues to be a major political force. The organization has been linked to several controversial incidents, including the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid mosque in Ayodhya and the 2002 Gujarat riots.

However, the RSS has also been involved in several social welfare activities, such as disaster relief and blood donation camps. The organization remains popular among many Hindus in India, who see it as a defender of their cultural and spiritual heritage.

In conclusion, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar was a prominent Indian nationalist and social activist who founded the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in 1925. He dedicated his life to promoting Hindu nationalism and creating a network of volunteers who could work towards the betterment of society. Despite his controversial legacy, his impact on Indian politics and society remains significant.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar never visited the United States during his lifetime. In fact, he spent the majority of his life in India, working tirelessly to promote Hindu nationalism and social welfare.

However, Hedgewar was aware of the social and political developments taking place in the United States during his lifetime, particularly with regard to the civil rights movement and the struggle for racial equality. He was influenced by the teachings of leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda, who advocated for non-violent resistance and social justice.

Hedgewar also recognized the importance of international solidarity in the struggle for independence and worked to forge ties with nationalist movements around the world. He saw India as a leader in the fight against colonialism and imperialism, and he believed that the country had a unique role to play in promoting social justice and human rights on a global scale.

While Hedgewar did not have a direct impact on the social and political developments in the United States, his teachings and his legacy continue to inspire people around the world to work for a more just and equitable society.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar passed away on June 21, 1940, at the age of 51. He had suffered from various health issues throughout his life, including chronic asthma, and his health had deteriorated significantly in the years leading up to his death.

Despite his failing health, Hedgewar remained committed to his work until the very end. He continued to lead the RSS and worked tirelessly to promote Hindu nationalism and social welfare. His death was a great loss to the organization and to the wider nationalist movement in India.

After his death, Hedgewar was succeeded as the head of the RSS by his close associate, M. S. Golwalkar, who continued to build on his legacy and expand the reach of the organization. Today, the RSS is one of the largest and most influential Hindu nationalist organizations in India, and its legacy is deeply intertwined with the life and work of Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar first met Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar first met Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar in 1925, while the latter was a student at Banaras Hindu University. Hedgewar was then traveling across the country to build support for his vision of a united Hindu nationalist movement.

Golwalkar, who was already active in nationalist and social organizations, was impressed by Hedgewar’s ideas and became one of his closest associates. Over the years, he worked closely with Hedgewar to build the RSS and expand its reach.

Their first meeting was a pivotal moment in the history of the RSS, as it marked the beginning of a partnership that would shape the direction of the organization for decades to come. Together, Hedgewar and Golwalkar worked to develop a philosophy of Hindu nationalism that emphasized the importance of cultural and social unity, and they worked tirelessly to promote this vision throughout India.

Today, the RSS continues to be guided by the ideas and principles developed by its founders, and its legacy is deeply intertwined with the life and work of both Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar.

Keshav Baliram Hedgewar’s vision and mission were rooted in his deep commitment to Hindu nationalism and social welfare. He believed that India’s independence and prosperity were closely linked to the promotion of Hindu values and culture, and he saw the RSS as a means of realizing this vision.

At the heart of Hedgewar’s philosophy was the idea of a united Hindu community, bound together by a shared sense of cultural identity and social responsibility. He believed that this sense of unity was essential to India’s future, and that the country could only achieve its full potential if its citizens were united in their commitment to the nation and to each other.

Hedgewar saw the RSS as a means of promoting this unity and strengthening the social fabric of Indian society. He believed that the organization could serve as a platform for the dissemination of Hindu values and culture, and that it could help to foster a sense of national pride and social responsibility among India’s citizens.

Hedgewar was also deeply committed to social welfare, and he believed that the RSS had an important role to play in promoting the welfare of India’s poor and marginalized communities. He saw the organization as a means of empowering these communities and giving them a voice in the political and social life of the nation.

Today, the RSS continues to be guided by Hedgewar’s vision and mission, and it remains one of the most influential and powerful Hindu nationalist organizations in India. Its legacy is deeply intertwined with the life and work of its founder, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, and his vision of a united, prosperous, and socially responsible India.