Timeline
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1925
Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, affectionately known as `Doctor Ji’’, announced the foundation of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the auspicious day of Vijayadashami on September 27, 1925. He said, "We are inaugurating Sangh today. All of us must train ourselves physically, Intellectually and in every way so as to be capable of achieving our cherished goal." Formal beginning of Sangh took place in Doctor Hedgewar’s house in "Sukravari" in Nagpur. Training in drill, march etc. was imparted on Sundays while Thursdays and Sundays were marked with discourse on national affairs.
1926
The final name Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was chosen on April 17 at a meeting, which was called to finalize the name for the newly formed organization. The meeting, called for this purpose, was held at the residence of Doctor Ji. The other names, which were under consideration, were Jaripatka Mandal, Bharat Uddharak Mandal and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was also another option, which was finalized after deliberations.
Daily gathering (Nitya Shaka) was started on May 28 at Mohite Wada in Nagpur. Use of lathi or danda was introduced in daily gathering (shakha) while new commands like `daksha’. Aram’ were used for the first time in shakha. Similarly, the first gathering was marked by salute to `Bhagwa Dhwaj’. Shakhas used to begin with the salute to Bhagwa Dhwaj. Shakha used to finish with a prayer (Prarthana), which was in Hindi and Marathi. In the same year, the first route march (Path Sanchalan) was held with 30 participants.
1927
Special training camp, with the name O.T.C. – officer’s training camp – was held in May with 17 participants – Shiksharthis (trainees).
1928
The first ever Guru Dakshina utsav was held when an amount of Rs 84 was collected. Shri Vitthalbahi Patel, elder brother of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel visited RSS shakha at Mohite Wada in Nagpur.
In March, the first ever ceremony of oath taking (pratidnya), was held. A selected group of 99 swayamsevaks participated in this function. (Can we mention a few of the names?). At the end of 1928, Nagpur city had 18 shakhas. Similarly, the first winter camp was held while the first route march, with a band, also took place. The year was also marked by the meeting between Doctor Ji and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. This meeting took place in Calcutta (now Kolkata) during Congress party convention. It lasted for an hour.
1929
A meeting was held at Doke Math in Nagpur on November 9 and 10 when Doctor Ji was designated with the post of chief (Sarsanghchalak). Balaji Huddar was chosen as sarkarywaah (general secretary) while Martandrao Jog was given the responsibility as chief trainer.
1930
Congress passed a resolution on complete freedom (purna swaraj) at its Lahore session. Doctor Ji asked all shakhas to celebrate January 26 as Independence Day. Doctor Ji, along with several swayamsevaks, participated in jungle satyagraha near Yavatmal in Vidarbha region. Doctor Ji was jailed for nine months for participating in satyagraha. He had appointed Dr L V Paranjape as Sarsanghchalak before participating in satyagraha. In the same year, black cap was introduced as a part of the RSS uniform.