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Tracing the legacy: RSS chiefs since 1925 | In Pics
Since its formation in 1925, RSS has grown from one shakha (theological school with volunteers called swayamsevaks) to more than 1,27,367 shakhas spread across 51,570 places in India.
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Since its formation in 1925, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has kept itself relevant by reinventing itself according to the course of Indian politics. RSS has travelled a long way since it was born in a middle class house in Nagpur. On October 2, RSS will celebrate its 100th year anniversary. (File photo/PTI)
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RSS was founded by a former Congress worker, Kesava Rao Baliram Hedgewar (known commonly as Doctorji in RSS circles), on September 27, 1925, at his residence in Nagpur, where it is now headquartered. The objectives for setting up the RSS were to unite Hindus and to uplift them. He was the RSS chief till 1940. (File photo)
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Since its inception, it has grown from one shakha (theological school with volunteers called swayamsevaks) to more than 1,27,367 shakhas spread across 51,570 places in India. The RSS has a chequered history and has been banned at least thrice in independent India. Today, it wields considerable influence ideologically, politically, and socially across the nation. Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar, also known as "Guruji", was the second RSS chief and led the organisation from 1940 to 1973. (Image: Wikipedia Commons)
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Within RSS circles, its chief is known as the "sarsanghchalak". The term was coined in 1929. RSS chief is nominated by his predecessor. Madhav Rao Deoras, better known as Balasaheb Deoras, was appointed as the third RSS chief in 1973 and remained on the position till 1994. (Image credits: Vishwa Bhaarath)
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Till 1936, RSS was active only in Maharashtra. In the next decade or so, it established its presence in northern India through volunteers who decided to work full time for expanding the organisation. It now has a pan India presence. Professor Rajendra Singh, also known as Rajju Bhayya, headed the organisation from 1994–2000. (File photo)
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The fifth Sarsanghachalak and Mohan Bhagwat's predecessor was KS Sudarshan, who led the RSS from 2000 to 2009. (Image: RSS)
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Mohan Bhagwat, who became the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief in 2009, is credited with turning the Sangh into a tech-savvy modern outfit that can be mobilised electorally. (Image: PTI)
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