On This Day: British socialist Annie Besant was born, People’s Republic of China was established and more

SUMMARY

On October 1, 1847, Annie Besant an important figure in India’s independence was born in London. Besant came to India for the first time in 1893 as part of the Theosophical Society. She helped set up the Central Hindu College (CHC) at Banaras and later met Madan Mohan Malaviya who joined forces to establish the Banaras Hindu University in 1916. The CHC became Banaras Hindu University’s first constituent college. Besant later joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and demanded government action towards self-rule. She launched the All India Home Rule League in 1916, the first Indian political party that advocated self-rule along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak League. Here are some more historical events that make October 1 a special day in world history.