Annie Besant was a powerful woman with a powerful mind. Inspite of being of foreign origin, she lived for India and died for India.
She was indeed a great personality. Annie Besant was born on 1st October 1840 in London. Her father, William Pagewood was a reknowned doctor of London.
She attained profound knowledge about music and literature within a short span of time. In 1866, she met Frank Besant. She liked his personality and told her parents about him. Her parents also liked Frank Besant and got their daughter married to him.
In the year 1869, she gave birth to two children, but lost them in 1871, when both of them got seriously sick and died A grieved Besant became sick and got bed-ridden. After a week, somehow she got up to take hold of her life once again.
She formed a religious institution that did not favour any particular religion, but believed in the existence of God, straight away. Her husband was of orthodox views. He wanted her to follow Christianity. He thrusted her own opinions on her. She didn’t like his attitude. Thus, she took a divorce to lead an independent life.
She pursued her studies to carry on with her life after divorce.
She joined Mr. Scout’s library and earned some money for her livelihood. At that time Charles Bradlaw established an independent religious institution and welcomed all followers, irrespective of caste, colour and creed.
Annie Besant joined this institution and began to influence people through her writing work and speeches. In 1888 she passed her graduation from London University.
In the year 1891, she was appointed the chief of Besant Theosophical Society.
In 1893, she came to India and began to live in Madras.
She gave stress to eliminate the superstitions prevalent in the society. She wanted everyone to develop a broad outlook and have faith in one Almighty God. She always spoke the truth and endured all the viccissitudes coming on the path of truth with a smile.
Once she said, “Even if I have to fight against the entire society for truth, I shall not step back from the path of truth. Even after the death, a voice shall echo from my dead-body—‘This is the person who died for truth’.
Annie Besant was a great woman in words and deeds. She hated cruelty on any living being. She was just like a shining sun, who distributed the sunshine of knowledge and truthfulness amongst the people of the world.
This great lady died on 20 Sept, 1933 in Madras at the ripe age of 86.
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