SRI AUROBINDO GHOSH (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: PM Modi paid homage to the revered philosopher, thinker, and spiritual leader Sri Aurobindo, on his 152nd birth anniversary.

Sri Aurobindo Ghosh

• Early Life: Born to surgeon Krishna Dhan Ghose and Swarnalata Devi in Calcutta on August 15, 1872.
• Education: Passed the Indian Civil Service Examination in 1890 but failed in the horsemanship test, preventing entry into the service.

o Accepted an appointment in the Baroda state service in 1893, worked for 13 years, and rose to the post of principal of the Baroda State College.

• Revolutionary: He became a leading figure in the freedom movement, writing fearless articles for the English newspaper Bande Mataram.
• Contributions: Contributed articles to the Bengali weekly Yugantar.
• Foundation: Started the weekly English journal Dharma, promoting Swaraj or freedom from British rule.
• Anushilan Samiti: Helped found the youth club Anushilan Samiti, protesting against British government atrocities.
• Opposition to Bengal Partition: Protested against the 1905 Partition of Bengal and advocated for the boycott of British institutions and goods.
• Alipore Bomb Case: Charged in the Alipore Bomb Case (1906-1910), sentenced to jail, and spent one year in solitary confinement at Alipore Central Jail in Calcutta.
• Founding: Established a community of spiritual seekers that became the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in 1926.
• Focus on Integral Yoga: Devoted life to developing “integral” yoga, aiming to elevate consciousness and self-awareness.
• Literary Works: The Life Divine, Synthesis of Yoga and Savitri.