RSS Chief Reinterprets Gandhi's Historical Perspective
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has presented a significant reinterpretation of Mahatma Gandhi's observations about Indian society before British rule. During a recent address, Bhagwat suggested that Gandhi's view that Indians lacked unity before colonial rule was substantially influenced by colonial education systems.
The RSS leader made these remarks on November 29, 2025, offering a fresh perspective on historical narratives that have shaped modern India's understanding of its past. Bhagwat's comments highlight the ongoing debate about how colonial perspectives continue to influence contemporary historical understanding.
India's Ancient Concept of Rashtra
Bhagwat emphasized that India's concept of 'rashtra' or nationhood is fundamentally different from Western conceptions. India's idea of nation is ancient and organic, developing over millennia through shared cultural, spiritual, and civilizational values rather than through political boundaries alone.
The RSS chief argued that the Western idea of a nation, which often emphasizes geographical boundaries and political structures, doesn't fully capture the essence of India's civilizational continuity. This ancient concept of rashtra has maintained its continuity despite various foreign invasions and ruling powers throughout history.
Colonial Education's Impact on Historical Narrative
According to Bhagwat, colonial education systems played a crucial role in shaping how Indians perceived their own history and social cohesion. The British educational framework, he suggested, deliberately promoted the idea that India was never a united entity before colonial rule.
This colonial narrative served to justify British rule as necessary for unifying diverse Indian populations. Bhagwat's analysis challenges this long-standing perspective, suggesting that India had its own unique forms of unity and social organization that colonial rulers failed to recognize or acknowledge.
The RSS leader's comments come at a time when there's growing academic and public interest in decolonizing Indian history and developing indigenous perspectives on the subcontinent's past. His remarks contribute to an important conversation about how education shapes national identity and historical understanding.
