7 Greatest Teachers in History That Redefined India

Swami Vivekananda

A disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda is credited with bringing Indian philosophy, particularly Vedanta and Yoga, to the Western world. He emphasized the importance of education for the upliftment of society.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

A philosopher, scholar, and the second President of India, Dr. Radhakrishnan was a prominent teacher who believed that education should foster a deep understanding of cultural and spiritual heritage.

Rabindranath Tagore

A Nobel laureate in Literature, Tagore was an influential educator who founded Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. He envisioned an education system that nurtures creativity, freedom of expression, breaking away from the rigid colonial system.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Known as the "Missile Man of India," Dr. Kalam was a scientist and the 11th President of India. He was passionate about education and youth empowerment, often referred to as the “People’s President.” His teachings continue to inspire students.

Savitribai Phule

One of India's first female teachers, Savitribai Phule was a pioneer of women’s education in India. Along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule, she fought against caste discrimination and worked tirelessly to educate girls.

Sri Aurobindo

A philosopher, yogi, and poet, Sri Aurobindo emphasized integral education, which focuses on the holistic development of the individual, physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. He founded the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and inspired the creation of the Auroville community.

Chanakya

Also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, Chanakya was a master strategist, economist, and teacher at Takshashila University. He authored the "Arthashastra," a treatise on governance, economics, and military strategy, which continues to influence modern political thought.