Past-Contributors to Humanism/ Humanist Ideas, from India

Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha, 563BC-483BCE)

Ashoka Maurya (304-232BCE) Became Buddhist-Humanist after the KalingaWar-263BCE

Jayarasi Bhatta (770-830)The author of Tattvopaplavasimha [2] ('Treatise on Philosophical Errors')

 

Jyotiba Govindarao Phule (1827-1890), Founder-Sathya Shodhak Samaj

E.V.Ramasamy (Periyar 1879-1973), Founder: Dravidian Self-Respect Movement

Manabendra Nath Roy (MNRoy 1887-1954), Indian Radical Humanist Movement

Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), The first Prime Minister and the "Architect of Modern India"

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956), The "chief Architect of the Indian Constitution"

Rahul Sankrityayan (1893-1963), Writer/Philosopher

Bhagat Singh (1907-1937), Indian Freedom Fighter

 

Mookencheril Cherian Joseph (1887-1981) (Founding Member of Yuktiwadi magazine, Kerala)

Sahodaran Ayyappan (1889-1968) Founder Editor of Yuktiwadi in Kerala-1928)

Narsingh Narain (1897-1972) Founder of Indian Humanist Union

Abraham Kovoor (1898-1978) The famous Guru Buster who exposed many so-called miracles

Goparaju Ramachandra Rao (Gora-1902-1975 Founder-Atheist Center, vijayawada)

Jayaprakash Narayan (Loknayak 1902-1979) (Sarvodaya and Bhoodan campaigner)

Murlidhar Devidas Amte (Baba Amte-1914-2008)

V.M.Tarkunde (1909-2004) (SC-Lawyer & HC-Judge and Human Rights Activist)

A. B. Shah (1920-1981) Founder Indian Secular society, Pune

Ramswaroop Verma (1923-1998 Founder Arjak Sangh)

H. Narasimhaiah (1921-2005) Founder of Bangalore Science Forum

Basava Premanand (1930-2009) The famous Guru Buster who exposed many so-called miracles

Joseph_Edamaruku (1934-2006) [Prolific Writer in Malayalam-See therali.com]


Religious People who practiced Secular and Humanist Ideas, from India

Basavanna (1106-1167) Kannada Saint, Philosopher & Religious Reformer.

Ram Mohan Roy (1774-1833) Founder of Brahma Sabha (origin of Brahmo Samaj) known for his social contributions in abolition of Sati, promotion of modern education and restoration of women's rights.

Narayana Guru (1855-1928) Reformist Saint-Guru from Kerala

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) Leader of Indian Freedom Movement, A Great Humanist in Principles.