Annie Besant: The Foreign Lady Who Became India’s Amma

A Foreign Lady Who Became “Amma”

Varanasi is the holiest city of Hindus. For thousands of years, it has been the center of culture, wisdom, and spirituality. But around 125 years ago, the city faced a big challenge.

At that time, Christian missionaries had opened many schools in Varanasi. They promised poor families modern education and good jobs if they converted to Christianity. This worried many people, because Hindu children were losing touch with their culture.

In the middle of this, a strong and brave woman appeared. She was not even Indian—she was born in London, in a Christian family. But her love for India was so deep that she gave her whole life to this land. This lady was Annie Besant.

She came to Varanasi, fought against the power of missionaries, and built schools that gave both modern education and Hindu cultural values.

Her work was so selfless and full of love that the people of Varanasi started calling her “Amma” (Mother). Some even respected her as a Hindu Goddess.

Who Was Annie Besant?

Born: 1 October 1847, London

Died: 20 September 1933, India

Popularly Known As: Amma (Mother)

Annie Besant was very intelligent from childhood. She was also very bold and never afraid to speak the truth. Even though she was born in a Christian family, she became attracted to Hindu philosophy and culture.

Before coming to India in 1893, she had already written and spoken about Hinduism in England. She respected the Vedas, the Gita, and India’s spiritual way of life.

When she came to India, she chose Varanasi—the holy city of Lord Shiva—as her workplace.

Founding of Central Hindu School

In 1898, Annie Besant founded the Central Hindu School (CHS) in Varanasi.

At that time, three kinds of schools existed in the city:

Madrasas – taught only Islamic studies, no modern subjects.

Sanskrit schools – taught only scriptures, but no modern knowledge.

Christian missionary schools – taught modern subjects but tried to take children away from Hindu culture.

Annie Besant wanted a school that could give the best of both worlds—modern subjects like science and maths, along with pride in Hindu culture.

That is how CHS was born. Later, she also started the Hindu Girls’ School in 1904, because she believed girls must also get an education. This was very bold for her time.

The school gave students confidence that they could get jobs in railways, law, and other fields, while still staying close to their roots.

Friendship with Malaviya and Other Leaders

Annie Besant worked with great leaders like:

Mahamana Madan Mohan Malaviya

Bhagwan Das

Shiv Prasad Gupta

These leaders supported her in making CHS strong. In 1914, after developing CHS with love for 15 years, she handed it over to Mahamana Malaviya.

Later, it became part of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of India’s top universities.

Her Work for Women

Annie Besant believed that women are the heart of society. She wanted Indian women to be educated, wise, and respected. She encouraged women to study, become teachers, and manage households with knowledge and confidence.

She also fought against wrong practices like:

Child marriage

Caste discrimination

Stopping widows from remarrying

She showed that women could balance tradition and modern learning.

Annie Besant in the Freedom Struggle

Annie Besant was not just an educationist. She was also a great freedom fighter.

In 1916, she started the Home Rule League, which demanded self-rule (Swaraj) for India.

For this, the British government put her in jail.

In 1917, she became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress.

She always said:

“India was not ruled for its benefit, but rather for the benefit of its conquerors.”

This showed her courage to speak truth against injustice.

Annie Besant and Hinduism

When Annie Besant came to Varanasi, Hinduism was passing through a difficult time.

There were social evils like untouchability and superstitions.

Missionary schools made many young people lose respect for Hindu traditions.

Sanskrit schools were not preparing students for modern jobs.

Annie Besant brought a new balance. She taught children science, maths, history, and English, but at the same time gave them pride in their Hindu culture. She explained the greatness of the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Gita in very simple language.

Because of this, Hindu families trusted her, and CHS became one of the most respected schools in India.

Revered as “Amma”

Annie Besant’s love for India was so deep that people forgot she was a foreigner. She lived in India, worked in India, and died in India.

The people of Varanasi started calling her “Amma”, which means mother. Some even respected her like a Hindu Goddess.

This was a very rare thing in history. A woman born in London became one of the most loved figures in India’s cultural and political life.

Her Legacy

Annie Besant’s contributions are still alive today.

Central Hindu School (CHS) continues to educate thousands of students every year.

Her ideas about women’s education are now part of modern India.

Roads, schools, and institutions across India carry her name.

In Varanasi, she is still remembered with deep love and devotion.

Even until her last days, she worked for India. She wanted Indians to be proud of their heritage and also shine in modern knowledge.

Annie Besant was not just a teacher or a freedom fighter. She was a mother to India.

She came from a faraway land, but gave her whole life to Varanasi and to the people of India. She built schools, fought for women, spoke for independence, and revived the glory of Hinduism.

Her story is one of the most inspiring in Indian history. It shows that love has no boundaries. Even a foreigner, with true devotion, can become the daughter and mother of India.

This is why, in Varanasi, Annie Besant is not remembered as an outsider. She is remembered as Amma, the Mother who gave her life to India.