Annie Besant was a theosophist, educationist, home rule activist, champion of human freedom and Indian nationalism. In 1907, she became the President of the Theosophical Society, whose international headquarters was at Adyar, Madras (present day Chennai, Tamil Nadu).
In her speech “The Indian Nation”, Besant puts forth her ideas on how a united Indian Nation could be actualized. She delivered the speech to the Hindu College Boarders’ Debating Club at the Anniversary meeting of the C.H.C Borders’ Debating Club.
Besant notes in her speech that the Indian nation of the future must combine men of different faiths and various races. People of different religions and creeds must be wielded into a nation, not by merging various beliefs but the “theosophical recognition of the spiritual unity of all religions and the broad-minded tolerance and mutual respect which grows out of this recognition”. An Indian Nation, she states, is still a geographical expression, and has not been made into a living reality. But the Indian Nation has begun its existence in the realm of sentiment, idea and dream.
She states that a common religion is impossible in India, but a common language and literature are possible. She stresses the need to make the history of India a common history where we look at the great heroes as part of a common heritage; “where Hindus must learn to be proud of Akbar, and Mussulmans of Shivaji”.
“Universal Invocation”
O Hidden Life, vibrant in every atom;
O Hidden Light, shining in every creature;
O Hidden Love, embracing all in Oneness;
May all who feel themselves as one with Thee,
Know they are therefore one with every other.
