VII. India Books (1895-1932)

1895 The Bhagavad-Gita, or the Lord’s Song. Translation. Lotus Leaves No. 2. TPS. [Link is to the 2nd rev. ed. of 1896.]

1899 The Story of the Great War. Some Lessons from the Mahabharata for the Use of Hindu Students in the Schools of India. 1) Introduction; 2) The Youth of the Heroes; 3) The Perils and the Triumphs of the Pandavas; 4) The Gathering of the Storm; 5) The Thirteen Years' Exile; 6) Peace or War? 7) The Sin of Yudhisthira; 8) The Great Exhortation; 9) The Closing Scenes. Central Hindu College Lectures, no. 1. TPS. [Link is to the 2nd ed. of 1919.]

1901 Sanatana Dharma: An Elementary Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics. With Bhagavan Das. Benares: Central Hindu College Board of Trustees. Sanatana Dharma Series, no. 1.

1901 Shri Ramachandra: The Ideal King. Some Lessons from the Ramayana for the Use of Hindu Students in the Schools of India. 1) Introduction; 2) Youth and Marriage; 3) Forest for Throne; 4) Brotherly Love; 5) The Carrying Off of Sita; 6) Sita's Faith; 7) Struggle; 8) Triumph. Central Hindu College Lectures, no. 2. TPS.

1903 Sanatana Dharma: Catechism for Boys and Girls in Hindu Religion and Ethics. With Bhagavan Das. Pamphlet. Benares: Central Hindu College Board of Trustees. Sanatana Dharma Series, no. 2.

1904 Hindu Ideals. For the Use of Hindu Students in the Schools of India. 1) Eastern and Western Ideals; 2) The Hindu Student; 3) The Hindu Householder; 4) The Hindu Marriage; 5) The Hindu State; 6) The Hindu Religion. Central Hindu College Lectures, no. 3. TPS.

1904 Sanatana Dharma: An Advanced Textbook of Hindu Religion and Ethics. With Bhagavan Das. Introduction. Part I: Basic Hindu Religious Ideas: 1) The One Existence; 2) The Many; 3) Rebirth; 4) Karma; 5) Sacrifice; 6) The Worlds: Visible and Invisible. Part II: General Hindu Religious Customs and Rites:1) The Samskaras [Rituals]; 2) Sraddha [Faith]; 3) Sauca [Cleanliness]; 4) The Five Daily Sacrifices; 5) Worship; 6) The Four Asramas; 7) The Four Castes; 8) The Four Purusarthas [Goals]. Part III: Ethical Teachings: 1) Ethical Science, What It Is; 2) The Foundation of Ethics, as Given by Religion; 3) Right and Wrong; 4) The Standard of Ethics; 5) Virtues and Their Foundation; 6) Bliss and Emotions; 7) 'Self-Regarding' Virtues; 8) Virtues and Vices vis-a-vis Superiors; 9) Virtues and Vices vis-a-vis Equals; 10) Virtues and Vices vis-a-vis Inferiors; 11) The Reaction of Virtues and Vices on Each Other. Benares: Central Hindu College Board of Trustees. Sanatana Dharma Series, no. 3.

1905 The Bhagavad-Gita. With Samskrit text, free translation into English, a word-for-word translation, and an introduction on Samskrit grammar. With Bhagavan Das. TPS.

1906 Children of the Motherland. Written by Bhagavan Das, Shri Pakash, J. M. Davies, and Annie Besant (ed.). Part I: Some of Her Sons. 1) In the Far-Off Past; 2) The Growth of Mewar; 3) The End of the Kingdom of the Pandavas; 4) The Heroic Tragedy of Chittor; 5) How Hamir Came to Chittor; 6) A Modern Bishma; 7) Warrior and Builder; 8) The Founder of Sikhism; 9) Family Strife; 10) Haridas; 11) The Second Sack of Chittor; 12) The Third Sack of Chittor; 13) In Deserts and Jungles; 14) Man Sinha; 15) Akbar; 16) The Fall of Mewar; 17) Ajit and Durgadas; 18) Shivaji. Part II: Some of Her Daughters. 1) Faithful through Death (Savitri); 2) Rejected and Crowned (Shakuntala); 3) Through Deep Waters (Damayanti); 5) Heaven-Descended (Indumati); 6) The Sweet Singer of Rajputana (Mirabai); 7) The Star of the Rajputs (Tarabai); 8) Faithful unto Death (Rupamati); 9) A Warrior Queen (Chand Bibi); 10) A Great Ruler (Ahalya Bai).  Benares: Board of Trustees, Central Hindu College.

1908 In Defence of Hinduism: A Booklet Written for Hindu Boys. 1) Idolatry; 2) The Worship of the Gods; 3) The Trimurti; 4) Shri Krishna; 5) Shri Krishna (continued); 6) Shri Krishna (continued); 7) Shraddha; 8) Shraddha (continued); 9) Hindiusm, a Scientific Religion; 10) Hindiusm, a Scientific Religion (continued); 11) Hindiusm, a Scientific Religion (continued); 12) Hindiusm, a Scientific Religion (continued); 13) Hindiusm, a Scientific Religion (continued) 14) Evolution; 15) The Ramayana [by Jules Michelet, from The Bible of Humanity]. TPS. [Fourteen articles by Besant from Central Hindu College Magazine, plus the Ramayana appreciation by Michelet. Editions after the second (1919) are undated and combine articles 4-6, 7-8, and 9-13 into single chapters, for a total of eight.]

1908 Nation Building: A Stirring Appeal to Indians. 1) Suggestions for the Building of the Indian Nation [from Indian Review, 1906]; 2) Education As the Basis of National Life [Lecture of February 23, 1908; first published as Adyar Popular Lecture Series Pamphlet, no. 2; 3) National Universities for India. 2nd ed. Madras: G. A. Nateson.

1909 Questions on Hinduism, with Answers. 1) Hinduism; 2) The Trimurti; 3) Ishvara; 4) The Devas; 5) Manifestation; 6) The Constitution of Man; 7) The Mind; 8) Sleep and Dreams; 9) The Caste System; 10) The Sacred Thread; 11) Marriage; 12) Puja; 13) Mantras; 14) Animal Sacrifice; 15) Sea Voyages Rites and Ceremonies; 16) Fasts and Festivals; 17) Sacred Places and Things; 18) Death and After; 19) Shraddha; 20) Mukti and Moksha; 21) Naraka and Svarga; 22) Reincarnation; 23) Karma; 24) Ethics; 25) Food; 26) Symbology; 27) Astrology; 28) Miscellaneous. Reprinted from the Central Hindu College Magazine (1901-1908). TPS.

1910 Transactions of the Educational Conference Held at Benares in the Month of December 1909. Adyar: Theosophist Office.

1913 Wake Up, India: A Plea for Social Reform. Lectures of October-November, 1913: Madras. 1) 1) Foreign Travel: Why Indians Should Go Abroad (October 10); 2) Child-Marriage and Its Results (October 17); 3) Our Duty to the Depressed Classes October 24); 4) Indian Industries as Related to Self-Government (October 31) [with footnotes and appendices on 1) Export: 1912-13; 2) Weaving; 3) Political Effects; 4)Moral Effects]; 5) Mass Education (November 7); 6) Education of Indian Girls (November 9); 7) The Colour Bar in India, England, and the Colonies (November 14); 8) The Passing of the Caste System (November 16). TPH. [Each lecture is introduced by a prominent Indian. The book concludes with 3 pamphlets from The Brothers of Service Series. See Miscellaneous Theosophical Pamphlet Series (1892-1913).]

1914 India and the Empire: A Lecture and Various Papers on Indian Grievances. 1) A Plea for India: The Indian National Congress Deputation (Christian Commonwealth: May 13, 1914); 2) India and Australia: An Interview with Mrs. Annie Besant, by Rhode Knight (British Australasian: May 28, 1914); 3) India and the Empire--Problems for Statesmen: Mrs. Besant's View of Native Grievances (Letter of Annie Besant to The Times: May 29, 1914); 4) The Problem of India (Unsigned editorial, The Times: May 30, 1914); 5) The Voice of the East: An Indian Lady on Indian Affairs (Letter of Cornelia Sorabji to The Times: June 3, 1914); 6) Mrs; Besant and India: The Qualifications of Engineers (Letter of J.H.T. Tudsbery to The Times: June 5, 1914); 7) Mrs. Besant and India: A Reply to Miss Sorabji (Letter of Annie Besant to The Times, in proof, but unpublished before the book went to press, June 26, 1914); 8) Present-Day Problems: India and the Empire (The Nation: May 30, 1914); 9) Colour Bar in the Dominions (Daily Chronicle: June 3, 1914); 10) East and West: The Colour Bar in India Itself (Letter of Annie Besant to Daily News and Leader: June 5, 1914); 11) Lajpat Rai and British Citizenship: "A Greater Measure of Self-Government" (Letter of Lala Lajpat Rai to Daily News and Leader: June 10, 1914); 12) The Indian Problem (Refused letter of Lala Lajput Rai to The Times, replying to Miss Sorabji, published in Christian Commonwealth: June 17, 1914); 13) India, a Buttress or a Peril?--Mrs. Besant's Criticisms of British Rule (Report of a lecture, Daily Chronicle: June 12, 1914); 14) India's Plea for Justice: Shall India Be a Buttress or a Menace to the Empire? (Lecture of June 11, 1914: Queen’s Hall, London). TPS.

1915 A Bird’s Eye View of India’s Past as the Foundation for India’s Future. TPH. [Revised in 1917, enlarged in 1923, revised and enlarged in 1930.]

1915 How India Wrought for Freedom: The Story of the National Congress Told from Official Records. Historical introduction, 29 chapters without separate titles, appendix. TPH.

1915 India: A Nation. A Plea for Indian Self-Government. Historical introduction. 1) Religion and Nationality; 2) The Economic Position; 3) Education; 4) The National Movement; 5) Self-Government; Conclusion. London: T. C. and E. C. Jack. [Circulation of this book in India was banned by the British government. Revised edition of 1917 published in London by Home Rule for India League.]

1917 The Birth of New India: A Collection of Writings and Speeches on Indian Affairs. 1) Political; 2) Educational; 3) Social; 4) Religious; 5) Annie Besant’s Farewell to Her Brothers and Sisters in India on the Eve of Her Internment. TPH. [See The Birth of New India (1917) for complete list of contents, organized chronologically; and further bibliographic information, with links to individual items.]

1917 Congress Speeches of Annie Besant. India National Congresses: 1914 (Madras), 1915 (Bombay), 1916 (Lucknow);  Presidential Address of 1917. Commonweal Office.

1917 For India’s Uplift: A Collection of Speeches and Writings on India Questions. 2nd ed., revised and enlarged. 1) The Ancient Indian Ideal of Duty; 2) Education as a National Duty; 3) The Necessity for Religious Education; 4) The Education of Hindu Youth; 5) The Education of Indian Girls; 6) Education of the Depressed Classes; 7) The Protection of Animals; 8) The Protection of Children; 9) India's Awakening; 10) The Indian Nation; 11) The Aryan Type; 12) England and India; 13) Unrest in India [series of articles from Christian Commonwealth]; 14) The Value of Theosophy in the Raising of India; 15) The Work of the Theosophical Society in India; 16) The Means of India's Regeneration. Madras, G. A. Nateson. [Nos. 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16 also appear in 1913 Essays and Addresses, vol. 3: India. Nos. 1-10,  14, 15 also appear in 1917 The Birth of New India. See Essays and Addresses (1911-13) and The Birth of New India (1917) for bibliographic information on earlier appearances as articles, pamphlets, etc.]

1919 Coercion and Resistance in India. Articles from New India. Adyar: Home Rule for India League.

1919 Law: Leading Articles from New India. TPH.

1919 Lectures on Political Science, Being an Introduction to Its Study. First series [no more published].  1) Introductory; 2) The State; 3) The Evolution of the State; 4) The East; 5) The West; 6) Government; 7) Government (continued). National College of Commerce: Madras. Adyar: Society for the Promotion of National Education.

1919 The Rowlatt Bills, the Law and Satyagraha. Articles from New India. Madras: Commonweal Office.

1920 Gandhian Non-Co-operation; or, Shall India Commit Suicide? A Vade-Mecum against Non-Co-operation for All Indian Patriots. Foreword, plus majority of articles. Madras: New India Office.

1921 Speeches and Writings. [Revised and enlarged edition (3rd) of 1917 For India’s Uplift]. 1) The Ancient Indian Ideal of Duty; 2) Education as a National Duty; 3) The Necessity for Religious Education; 4) The Education of Hindu Youth; 5) The Education of Indian Girls; 6) Education of the Depressed Classes; 7) India's Awakening; 8) The Indian Nation; 9) The Aryan Type; 10) England and India; 11) The Value of Theosophy for India; 12) The Means of India's Regeneration; 13) United India; 14) Congress Speeches on Self-Government; 15) Secondary Education through Vernaculars; 16) Coloured Races in the Empire; 17) India and the War; 18) The Maharashtra; 19) The Chivalry of India; 20) The Servants of India Society; 21) The Memorandum of the Nineteen; 22) Farewell to My Brothers and Sisters in India; 23) Congress Presidential Address; 24) The Government of India Bill, 1919; 25) Non-Co-operation; 26) Memorandum on the Press Act; 27) Presidential Address to the Reform Congress. Madras: G. A. Nateson.

1922 The Future of Indian Politics: A Contribution to the Understanding of Present-Day Problems. Introduction: A Bird's-Eye View; 1) Step by Step 2) A New Departure; 3) The Great Agitation; 4) The Great Agitation (continued); 5) The New Spirit in India; 6) The Struggle over the Reforms; 7) The Revolutionary Movements; 8) Self-Determination and Self-Government; 9) In a World-Commonwealth or Alone? 10) Appendix 1 (from 1915 pamphlet Self-Government for India). 11) Appendix 2 (from 1916 pamphlet Home Rule and the Empire). TPH. The Asian Library.

1925 Indian Ideals in Education, Religion, Philosophy, and Art. Lectures. Kamala Lectures, 1924-25. Calcutta: Calcutta University Press.

1925 Shall India Live or Die? Introduction. 1) Education, Past and Present; 2) The Poverty of the Masses; 3) Village Industries; 4) The Remedy is Self-Rule; 5) Conclusion--An Appeal to the Nation. Appendices: Summary of the Commonwealth of India Bill; Memorandum, Demanding Swaraj. Madras: National Home Rule League.

1926 India: Bond, or Free? A World Problem. 1) Introduction; 2) The Indian Village; 3) Education; 4) Industries; 5) The Awakening of India; 6) Home Rule for India; Appendix. New York: G. P. Putnam. [Reprinted in 1939 as The Besant Spirit, no. 5. See Posthumous Publications (1934-2006). The link is to the latter edition.]

1929 The Indian Village System. With A. Ranganatham. National Home Rule League.

1931 India, England, Afghanistan, and The Story of Afghanistan; or Why the Tory Government Gags the Indian Press: A Plea for the Weak against the Strong. TPH. [Reprint of two Freethought Publishing Co. pamphlets of 1879. See Pre-Theosophical Publications (1877-1892).]

1932 Hindu Reform on National Lines. TPH.

1932 India’s Struggle to Achieve Dominion Status. Facsimile of original manuscript. TPH.

1932 Principles of Education, with a Scheme Applying Them to National Education in India. TPH.