Annie Besant’s Defence of Indian Caste System: A Critique

Abstract

Caste system has remained an integral part of the Hindu social order. It has served to provide the uniqueness and the complexity to the latter. During colonial period as well as in the postcolonial period, it has been the most sought after issue. The colonial encounter added a new narrative to this system, as has been argued by the scholars such as Nicholas Dirks. However, apart from colonial officials, the non-official leaders of the ruling country also played an important role in the making of the present-day construct of the caste system. Annie Besant was one such leader, who came to India in 1893 as a leader of the Theosophical Society. She endorsed and extolled the caste system of the land as the best social structure this world has ever had. In this article, I attempt to throw light on Besant’s reading of the caste system and her role in strengthening the roots of this system.