The Theosophist

The Theosophist is a theosophical journal. It was founded in India in 1879 by Helena Blavatsky, who was also its editor. The journal is still being published till date. It was later moved to California, USA, but was returned to Adyar, India. The journal features articles about philosophy, art, literature and occultism.

The journal, a publication of the Theosophical Society, aim to to form in British India, the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity.

The Theosophical Society has been mysteriously associated with the birth of Congress in British India. It was founded in 1875 by Madame Blavatsky, a spiritualist and veteran of several affairs in Europe and America, and by Colonel Olcott, a veteran of the American Civil War.

It established its roots in India in 1879, winning its supporters by its portrayal of sympathy for the native population, by its enthusiasm for the Aryan philosophy, and by its strange dogmas and obscure beliefs. The main objectives of the society were to establish British India as a center of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, to study the Aryan culture and to explore the hidden mysteries and inherent powers in men.

The first centre was establish in Bombay, but the society soon installed a network of branches throughout India, and its journal, The Theosophist, was circulated extensively throughout the three Presidencies.

Due to its widespread circulation, the influence of the Theosophist on the politics of British India was evident. Despite not explicitly stating any political agendas as of yet, it has been heavily linked with the formation of Congress.

According to the later account of Annie Besant, it was discovered that the decision to convene the first Congress in Madras was taken after the Theosophical Convention of December 1884. The success of the periodical publications of the journal encouraged many of the Indian leaders to experiment by forming an Indian political congress.

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