GENESIS OF SCOUTING IN THE INDIA

Lord Baden Powell Started his career as second Lieutenant in 1876 in India in the 13th Hussar Regiment and spent over a decadein India.

In 1899 during the defence of “Mafeking” in South Africa he was impressed by the work of Boy Cadet Corps, observing their sense of responsibility and potential. He organised an experimental camp at “Brown Sea Island”(UK) in 1907 and in January 1908 he wrote “Scouting for Boys”. Thus started the “Boy Scout Movement” which soon spread to different countries.
Scout movement took an early start in India at Bangalore in the year 1909.The Scout movement in these formative years was controlled by British Army officeers who encouraged only British and Anglo Indian boys to join Scouting.








Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya started “National Scout Association for Boys”, Dr. H.N. Kunjuru and Pandit Sriram Bajpal started “Seva Samiti Scout Association” in 1918. Due to persuasion of National , Leaders like Dr. Annie Besant, Dr. G.S.Arundale,Mr.Vivian Bose and others, the British sponsored organistaion “Boy Scout Association” started admitting Indian boys in 1920. During his visit to India in 1921 & 1938, Lord Baden Powell tried his best to get two Scout Associations merged but could not succeed as Seva Samiti Scout Association later named as “Hindustan Scout Association”, did not agree to the clause in Scout promise of loyality to the crown of England.

Finally, after the Independence of India due to the efforts of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Education Minister Sri Abul Kalam Azad, the merge was agreed to and “Bharat Scouts and Guides” was formed on the 7th Nov. 1950. “The Girl Guide Association of India” formally joined the association on 15th Aug. 1951.