Correct option is D
The correct answer is (d) Annie Besant.
· Annie Besant was a prominent theosophist, social reformer, and leader in the Indian independence movement.
· She was deeply associated with the Theosophical Society, an organization that sought to promote universal brotherhood, the study of comparative religion, and the pursuit of spiritual wisdom.
· Annie Besant joined the Theosophical Society in 1889 and later became its international president in 1907.
· She played a significant role in spreading the teachings of Theosophy in India and helped establish the Indian Section of the Theosophical Society.
· Her influence was instrumental in the growth of the Theosophical movement in India, and she was a key figure in the home rule movement, which sought greater self-governance for India under British rule.
Additional Information:
· Annie Besant was also the founder of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916, contributing significantly to the development of education in India.
· The Theosophical Society itself was founded in 1875 by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott with the aim of promoting the study of ancient religions, esoteric philosophy, and the idea of universal brotherhood.
Other Options:
· Savitri Bai Phule: Savitribai Phule was a pioneering social reformer and educator, known for her work in the field of education, particularly for women and the lower castes. She was not associated with the Theosophical Society.
· Sarojini Naidu: Sarojini Naidu was a prominent poet and freedom fighter, also known for her leadership in the Indian National Congress and the independence movement. She was not directly associated with the Theosophical Society.
· Tarabai Shinde: Tarabai Shinde was a social reformer and writer, known for her book "Stri Purush Tulna" (Comparison between Women and Men), but she was not associated with the Theosophical Society.