On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a book on its founder, Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, is all set to reveal hitherto unexplored aspects of his life and political journey. Written by Sachin Nandha, Hedgewar: A Definitive Biography is the result of years of indepth research into Hedgewar’s role in the inception of RSS and its fundamental tenets. The book reveals to readers the lesser-known anecdotes about his life, including his childhood, ideology, and farreaching social and cultural impact. Philosopher, strategist, and author Sachin Nandha traces Hedgewar’s formative experiences as an orphaned child in colonial India to becoming the architect of one of the most strongest organisations in the country’s history. Nandha, a thought leader with a distinguished background in private equity, spent over seven years researching the book and says: “I have tried to examine Hedgewar’s life and challenges with contemporaries like Gandhi, Nehru, and Savarkar. I have also tried to explore his inner struggles in reconciling his critique of Hindu society,” adds Nandha. Set against the backdrop of a country grappling with colonial rule, rising communal tensions, and the complexities of modernity, the book also offers insights into his philosophy of cultural nationalism. “

 

After spending almost seven years researching and writing about a man who remains largely unknown yet whose ideas and work have impacted one-fifth of humanity. Hedgewar's ideas are subtle yet powerful,” says Sachin Nandha. According to Nandha, the book is not just a biography but also provides a nuanced perspective on the RSS’s origins and its impact on the country. He adds, ‘Hedgewar: A Definitive Biography is a must-read for those seeking to understand modern India’s complexities through the life of a controversial yet extraordinary man.” What inspired you to write a biography on Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, and what were some of the most surprising discoveries you made during your research? Writing Hedgewar:

 

A Definitive Biography was, in many ways, a journey into the heart of India’s 20th-century history. Keshav Hedgewar is a figure who’s ideas have shaped modern India in profound yet often overlooked ways. Despite his foundational role in establishing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has grown into one of the most influential socio-political movements in India, and arguably the world, he remains a largely unknown figure outside the Sangh’s immediate circles. My motivation for writing this biography was to cut through the layers of hagiography and political polemics and present a rigorously researched, nuanced portrait of the man— his convictions, influences, struggles, and the historical forces that shaped his ideas. One of the biggest surprises during my research was discovering his deep engagement with Western political thought. While Hedgewar is often viewed solely through the prism of Hindu nationalism, his readings and influences were much broader. His understanding of leadership, organisation, and institutional continuity owed as much to modern European thinkers and movements as it did to traditional Indian frameworks.

 

Unlike many political leaders of his time who sought immediate independence, Hedgewar began playing a longer game—one that was about shaping the very fabric of Indian society rather than merely securing political power. The very fact that Hedgewar consciously chose to distance himself and the early RSS from politics clearly demonstrates his distaste for political nationalism – the kind that the Congress was pursuing at the time, compared to Cultural nationalism – the type that build nationalists communities, and were either rooted in, or interested in creating, India’s civilisational ethos. Hedgewar remains a complex and often debated figure in Indian history. How does your book present a balanced perspective on his life and ideology? Hedgewar’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the trajectory of modern India, yet discussions about him are often polarised—either portraying him as a near-mythic visionary or as a controversial figure viewed through ideological lenses. My approach in Hedgewar: A Definitive Biography was to move beyond both hero worship and criticism, offering a rigorous, fact-based exploration of his life, decisions, and ideological evolution. To achieve this, the book relies on a wide range of sources—archival documents, Hedgewar’s personal correspondences, first-hand accounts from those who knew him, and contemporary historical analyses.

 

I wanted to present Hedgewar in his full complexity: as a revolutionary nationalist in his youth, an organisational strategist in his later years, and a man who sought to reshape India’s social fabric through long-term institutional change. His strengths—unwavering commitment, strategic foresight, and ability to inspire loyalty to a cause—are examined alongside his limitations, including the rigid ideological framework he helped construct and the contentious debates it sparked. Ultimately, this biography presents a nuanced portrait that allows readers to form their own judgments. Whether one admires him or disagrees with his ideas, understanding Hedgewar is crucial to understanding India’s socio-political evolution. My hope is that this book fosters a more informed and thoughtful conversation about his role in shaping the nation. You’ve compared Hedgewar’s challenges with those faced by contemporaries like Gandhi, Nehru, and Savarkar. What were the key ideological or strategic differences that shaped his vision? Gandhi vs. Hedgewar – Mass Mobilisation vs.

 

Institution-Building Gandhi and Hedgewar both recognised the power of grassroots mobilisation, but their methods were fundamentally different. Gandhi believed in broad-based, mass movements centred around moral and spiritual awakening—nonviolent resistance, satyagraha, and the idea of India as a composite nation with pluralistic traditions. Hedgewar, on the other hand, was sceptical of mass movements that were reactive rather than structured. He saw politics as transient but culture as enduring. While Gandhi focused on immediate political liberation, Hedgewar envisioned a long-term, disciplined transformation of Hindu society, which he felt had been weakened over centuries due to a corrosion of what we might call Social Capital in modern times. Nehru vs. Hedgewar – Political Nationalism vs. Cultural Nationalism Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision was largely shaped by Russian socialism, combined with a modernist anti-imperial British scientific ideal. He viewed Indian nationalism through a secular, state-driven lens, advocating for a strong central government, industrialisation, and what he deemed as ‘progressive reforms’. Hedgewar, by contrast, saw nationalism as rooted in civilisational identity rather than the modernist idea of the nationstate. He believed that India’s survival depended on a type of cultural renaissance rather than state institutions alone. In other words, for Nehru the State was real, and culture largely imagined.

 

Whereas, for Hedgewar the State was imagined, and culture was real. This ideological difference—whether India’s unity should be built through the State or through cultural cohesion—remains a key point of debate in Indian political thought even today. Savarkar vs. Hedgewar – Political Hinduism vs. Societal Rejuvenation Despite both advocating India as essentially a Hindu nation, Hedgewar and Savarkar had distinct strategies. Savarkar was a political nationalist, a fiery orator who framed Hindutva as a political doctrine, arguing that Hindus should claim India as their exclusive nation. Hedgewar, in contrast, was more focused on building institutions that could shape Hindu society from within. He was less concerned with immediate political power and more with creating long-term social capital that could influence Indian society across generations. Unlike Savarkar, who was an atheist and rationalist, Hedgewar remained connected to Hindu traditions and saw their revitalisation as essential to India’s resurgence. Your book explores Hedgewar’s philosophy of cultural nationalism. How do you see its relevance in today’s India, especially in the context of the RSS’s evolving role? Hedgewar’s philosophy of cultural nationalism was rooted in the belief that India’s strength lay in its civilisational continuity rather than in transient political movements – aka State power.

 

He saw national identity as something deeper than territorial boundaries—it was a cultural and historical consciousness under pinned by social capital, that had been eroded under centuries of Imperialism and Colonialism. His vision was not just about independence from the British but about revitalising what he saw as the core ethos of Indian civilisation. Today, as India navigates its position as a rising global power, the relevance of Hedgewar’s ideas can be seen in the continuing debate over national identity, pluralism, and the role of culture in governance – India is still grappling with the idea of a civilisational state. Hedgewar himself was deeply strategic in how he framed the RSS—not as a political entity but as a long-term social movement. He was wary of direct political entanglement, believing that cultural change was more enduring than capturing state power. Ultimately, Hedgewar’s relevance today lies in the ongoing national conversation about identity, governance, and India’s place in the world. The book does not take a position on whether cultural nationalism is the ideal path forward but instead provides historical context for understanding how these ideas developed, how they have evolved, and how they continue to shape the India of today. Whether one agrees with his vision or not,

 

Hedgewar’s impact on India’s trajectory is undeniable. Beyond the political and ideological aspects, what personal struggles or defining moments in Hedgewar's life do you think shaped him the most? Keshav Hedgewar’s life was marked by tragedy, quiet resilience, and a relentless commitment to his vision. Perhaps the most defining moment of his life was his decision in 1925 to establish the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). This was a radical departure from the political activism of his time. Unlike Congress leaders who were seeking immediate political gains or revolutionaries engaging in violent resistance, Hedgewar took the long view—he wanted to create a movement that would 1) rebuild the character and skills of the individual; 2) build communities (what we call social capital today), and 3) transcend caste, creed and class through ‘service’ for ones fellow citizens; and essentially thereby rejecting divisions. Ultimately, Hedgewar’s defining moments were not just about resistance against colonial rule but about his realisation that political independence, by itself, was not enough. His struggles forged a leader who was not just a strategist but a man of deep conviction, willing to dedicate his life to an idea that he knew would outlive him. ■