Colonel Henry Steel Olcott was an American military officer and journalist who co-founded the Theosophical Society in New York City in 1875, along with Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and William Quan Judge.
The Theosophical Movement played a unique role in the Indian National Awakening by reviving interest in ancient Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain philosophies.
Arrival in India: Olcott and Blavatsky moved the headquarters of the Society to Adyar (near Madras/Chennai) in 1882.
Role of Col. Olcott: He served as the first President of the Society. Unlike many Europeans of his time, he was a staunch advocate for Indian culture and played a significant role in the Buddhist Revival in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon).
Succession: After Olcott's death in 1907, Annie Besant was elected as the President, under whose leadership the society became closely linked with the Indian Home Rule movement.
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