The RSS : 100 Years Of The Indian Right

The RSS: 100 Years of the Indian Right by Vijai Trivedi, translated into English by Subha Pande, examines the century-long history of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), from its founding in 1925 to its place in contemporary India. Based on decades of reporting, primary research, and interviews, the book explores the organisation's development, leadership, structure, ideology, and influence on India's political and public life. It is intended for readers seeking a researched account of one of the country's most significant and debated organisations.

Published in the RSS's centenary year, the book traces key moments in the organisation's evolution while presenting its history with attention to both achievements and controversies. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and firsthand conversations, it provides context for understanding the RSS's growth and its role in shaping modern India.

About This Book

Founded by Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, the RSS has expanded from a small group of swayamsevaks into one of the world's largest voluntary organisations. The RSS: 100 Years of the Indian Right follows this transformation, examining its organisational structure, guiding ideas, expanding network of affiliates, and its stated mission as a cultural organisation working towards the uplift and unification of the Hindu Rashtra.

Drawing on thirty years of ground reporting, Vijai Trivedi explores major phases in the RSS's history, including its role during the Indian freedom struggle, the Emergency, and the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The book also examines its leadership under figures such as Hedgewar and Golwalkar, its relationship with the ruling party across different periods, and its influence across multiple areas of public life, presenting a detailed and nuanced historical account.

What You'll Discover

• The origins and growth of the RSS since its founding in 1925.
• Insights from primary research and interviews with RSS members.
• The organisation's leadership under Hedgewar and Golwalkar.
• Its role in the freedom struggle, the Emergency, and the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
• The expansion of the RSS network and its affiliated organisations.
• An examination of its relationship with India's ruling party over time.
• A detailed account of the organisation's evolution during its first hundred years.

Perfect For

• Readers interested in Indian political history.
• Students and researchers of contemporary India.
• Readers exploring the history of the RSS.
• Those interested in political organisations and public affairs.

Why You'll Love This Book

The RSS: 100 Years of the Indian Right offers a thoroughly researched account of a century in the history of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. Combining archival research, field reporting, and interviews, it provides readers with valuable context for understanding the organisation's evolution and its place in India's political and social landscape.