RSS Explained: The Story of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh | History, Growth & Influence

What is the RSS? Founded in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Nagpur, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has grown into one of the world’s largest voluntary organizations. From morning shakhas to disaster relief, from social work to its political offshoot the BJP — the RSS has been at the center of India’s cultural and political story for nearly a century. In this explainer, we dive into: How Hedgewar’s vision emerged from the Hindu Mahasabha and contrasted with Gandhi’s INC The scale of RSS today: millions of swayamsevaks, 60,000 shakhas, and the vast Sangh Parivar network What really happens at a shakha The debates and controversies that have kept RSS in the headlines