Ram Swarup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ram Swarup
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| Born | 12 October 1920 Sonipat, Haryana,India |
| Died | 26 December 1998 (aged 77) |
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| Alma mater | University of Delhi |
| Period | Late 20th century |
| Genre | History, Politics, Comparative Religion |
| Subject | Hinduism, Dharmic traditions, British Imperialism |
Ram Swarup (born Ram Swarup Agarwal) was an important Indian writer and thinker. He was a key leader in the movement to revive and celebrate Hindu traditions. He was born on October 12, 1920, and passed away on December 26, 1998.
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About Ram Swarup's Life
Ram Swarup was born in 1920 in Sonipat, a city now in the state of Haryana, India. His father was a banker. He earned a degree in economics from Delhi University in 1941.
In 1944, he started a group called the Changer's Club. Important people like Lakshmi Chand Jain and Sita Ram Goel were part of this club. Later, in 1948 and 1949, he worked with Mira Behn, who was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
Ram Swarup wrote a book about the Communist Party. In 1949, he created the Society for the Defence of Freedom in Asia. This group published books that criticized the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. His early book, Gandhism and Communism, even influenced some American politicians. He also wrote for major Indian newspapers like The Times of India and Hindustan Times.
In 1982, Ram Swarup started a publishing company called Voice of India. This company published many books by different authors who wrote about Hindu topics.
Ram Swarup's Ideas
What Ram Swarup Believed About Hinduism
Ram Swarup believed in the idea of many gods, which is called polytheism. He thought this view best showed the rich and varied nature of spiritual beliefs. He felt that having only one God didn't fully capture this diversity.
He was greatly inspired by Sri Aurobindo, another famous Indian philosopher. Ram Swarup saw Aurobindo as a leading expert on ancient Vedic wisdom.
Ram Swarup was very important in bringing back discussions about how Christian missionary groups worked in India during the 1980s. He argued that religions with only one God often taught their followers to disrespect other faiths. He had many strong discussions with Christian leaders during this time. He is known as one of the most important thinkers in the Hindu revival movement.
Ram Swarup's Interest in European Paganism
Ram Swarup was also interested in Neopaganism in Europe. This is a modern movement that revives ancient European nature-based religions. He wrote letters to people like Prudence Jones, who led the Pagan Federation.
He also corresponded with Pagan author Guðrún Kristín Magnúsdóttir. Because of Ram Swarup's influence, other Hindu thinkers also started to learn about European Paganism.
Christopher Gérard, who edited a magazine for polytheistic studies, said that Ram Swarup was a perfect link. He connected the Hindu revival in India with the growing Pagan movement in the West.
Ram Swarup even suggested a "Pagan renaissance" in Europe. He believed Europe became "sick" because it lost touch with its ancient spiritual roots. He felt that for Europe to heal spiritually, it needed to rediscover its past. He encouraged European Pagans to find and honor their old sacred sites.
