Madhav Sadashivrao Golwalkar (19 February 1906 – 5 June 1973), known as Shri Guruji, was the second and longest-serving Sarsanghchalak (1940–1973) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). A former BHU lecturer, he transformed the RSS into a massive pan-Indian organisation, providing its ideological framework of Hindutva and cultural nationalism, emphasizing a "Hindu Nation".

Biography

Birth & Early Life

Born on 19 February 1906, in Ramtek, Maharashtra, to Sadashivrao and Lakshmibai. He was the only surviving child among nine.

Education

Educated at Hislop College, Nagpur, and completed his M.Sc. in Zoology from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), earning him the nickname "Guruji".

Career & RSS Connection

Briefly taught at BHU, where he met RSS founder K.B. Hedgewar through Bhaiyaji Dani. He briefly left to become a sanyasi at the Ramakrishna Mission in 1936 before returning to the RSS.

Leadership

Appointed Sarsanghchalak in 1940 following Hedgewar's death, leading the organization for 33 years.

Ideology

He articulated the concept of Hindutva and Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation), arguing that Indian culture is synonymous with Hindu culture.

Impact

Under his leadership, the RSS expanded nationwide, and he mentored various affiliated organizations (Sangh Parivar), including the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Timeline

• 1906 (Feb 19): Born in Ramtek, Nagpur.
• 1922: Enrolled in Hislop College, Nagpur.
• 1931: Began teaching at Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
• 1934: Appointed Sarvadhikari (officer-in-charge) of RSS training camp.
• 1936 (Oct): Moved to Sargachi ashram to become a sanyasi.
• 1937–1939: Led the All-India Officers' Training Camp.
• 1939: Appointed as the general secretary (Sar Karyavah) of the RSS.
• 1940: Became the second Sarsanghchalak of the RSS.
• 1948: Arrested following the ban on RSS after Mahatma Gandhi's assassination; later released with all charges dropped.
• 1973 (June 5): Passed away in Nagpur.