The Hindutva movement, distinct from the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Hinduism, has played a significant role in shaping modern India's political and cultural identity. Rooted in the early 20th century, Hindutva emerged as a response to colonial rule, religious conversions, and the perceived need to unify Hindus under a single cultural and national identity. Over the decades, several leaders have driven this movement forward, each contributing to its evolution in thought and action. Understanding these figures is key to understanding how the Hindutva movement developed from an ideological concept to a political force. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: The Ideological Architect Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, is often regarded as the father of the Hindutva ideology. In 1923, he published a pamphlet titled Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? , where he defined Hindutva not as a religion, but as a cultural and national identity. He argued that a true Hindu was ...