In 1921, as Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan left the University of Mysore for a new post in Calcutta, his students are said to have unhitched the horses from his carriage and pulled it to the station themselves. Few professors earn that kind of devotion. Fewer still go on to hold a chair at Oxford, serve as India’s first Vice President, and then become its second President. Radhakrishnan did all three, yet he always described himself first as a teacher. That is why India celebrates his birthday, September 5, as Teachers’ Day every year. This biography covers his life, his philosophy, his political career, his honors, and the legacy that still shapes Indian education.
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |
| Born | September 5, 1888 |
| Birthplace | Tiruttani, Madras Presidency (present-day Tamil Nadu), British India |
| Died | April 17, 1975, Chennai (aged 86) |
| Father | Sarvepalli Veeraswami |
| Spouse | Sivakamu (married 1903; she died in 1956) |
| Children | Six: five daughters and one son, the historian Sarvepalli Gopal |
| Education | Madras Christian College (BA 1906, MA in Philosophy 1909) |
| Key offices | First Vice President of India (1952–1962); second President of India (1962–1967) |
| Highest national honor | Bharat Ratna (1954) |
| Celebrated on | Teachers’ Day, September 5 |
Early Life and Family Background
Born in Tiruttani
Radhakrishnan was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, a temple town in what was then the Madras Presidency and is now part of Tamil Nadu. His family was Telugu-speaking and Brahmin, which is why some sources place his roots in present-day Andhra Pradesh. His father, Sarvepalli Veeraswami, worked as a subordinate revenue official, and his mother was Sitamma. The family was far from wealthy.
A Scholarship Student
Money was tight, so Radhakrishnan studied on scholarships. He attended schools in Tiruttani and Tirupati and then moved on to Voorhees College in Vellore. Much of his schooling took place in Christian missionary institutions, which exposed him early to both Indian and Western religious thought. That double exposure shaped the rest of his career.
Education: From Madras Christian College to a Philosophy Degree
Radhakrishnan joined Madras Christian College and earned his bachelor’s degree in 1906 and his master’s degree in philosophy in 1909. His master’s thesis examined the ethics of the Vedanta. The project began as a response to criticism that Indian philosophy had no serious ethical foundation, and it set the direction of his life’s work: explaining Indian thought clearly and rigorously to a world that often dismissed it.
Academic Career
Teaching in Madras, Mysore and Calcutta
He began teaching at Madras Presidency College in 1909. In 1918 he moved to the University of Mysore, and in 1921 he took the King George V Chair of Philosophy at the University of Calcutta. Students packed his lectures, including many who were not studying philosophy.
Vice-Chancellor at Andhra and Banaras
Radhakrishnan served as Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936. From 1939 to 1948 he held the same position at Banaras Hindu University, where he guided the institution through the turbulent years of World War II and Indian independence.
The Spalding Chair at Oxford
In 1936 he was appointed Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford, a post he held until 1952. He was also elected a Fellow of All Souls College. His appointment was a landmark: an Indian scholar had been entrusted with interpreting Eastern thought at one of the world’s most prestigious universities. He was reportedly nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature as well.
Radhakrishnan the Philosopher
Bridging East and West
Radhakrishnan’s defining achievement was translating Indian philosophy, especially Advaita Vedanta, into a language Western readers could engage with. He argued that religion is not about ritual or dogma but about spiritual experience and ethical living. He also insisted that Eastern and Western traditions could learn from each other rather than compete.
Major Works
- Indian Philosophy (two volumes, 1923 and 1927), his best-known work
- The Philosophy of the Upanishads (1924)
- The Hindu View of Life (1926)
- An Idealist View of Life (1929)
- Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939)
- The Bhagavadgita (1948)
- A Source Book in Indian Philosophy (1957, co-edited)
Critical Views
Radhakrishnan’s interpretation has not escaped criticism. Some scholars argue that he presented Hinduism in an idealized, somewhat Westernized form that glossed over its internal diversity. His defenders reply that this bridge-building is exactly what introduced Indian thought to the world stage. Both perspectives remain part of scholarly discussion.
Public Service Before the Presidency
The University Education Commission
In 1948–49, Radhakrishnan chaired the University Education Commission of independent India, widely known as the Radhakrishnan Commission. Its recommendations shaped the early framework of higher education in the new republic.
Constituent Assembly and UNESCO
He was a member of India’s Constituent Assembly and led India’s delegation to UNESCO. He had also served on the League of Nations’ Committee on Intellectual Cooperation.
Ambassador to the Soviet Union
From 1949 to 1952, Radhakrishnan served as India’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union. Representing a newly independent, non-aligned nation in Moscow at the height of the Cold War required both diplomatic tact and intellectual stature, and he brought both.
Vice President and President of India
First Vice President (1952–1962)
When the new constitution created the office of Vice President in 1952, Radhakrishnan became its first holder. As ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he presided over the upper house with a reputation for fairness and courtesy. He was re-elected in 1957.
Second President (1962–1967)
In 1962 he succeeded Rajendra Prasad as President of India. His term covered some of the toughest years in the republic’s early history: the 1962 war with China, the death of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, and the 1965 war with Pakistan. He handled the constitutional responsibilities of those transitions and chose not to seek a second term in 1967.
The Story Behind Teachers’ Day
When Radhakrishnan became President in 1962, his students and friends asked to celebrate his birthday. According to the widely told account, he said that instead of marking his birthday separately, he would be proud if September 5 were observed as Teachers’ Day. India has celebrated Teachers’ Day on that date ever since. Every September 5, schools and colleges across the country honor their teachers, a fitting tribute for a man who valued the title of teacher above every office he held.
Personal Life
Radhakrishnan married Sivakamu in 1903, when he was just sixteen. They stayed together for more than five decades until her death in 1956. They had six children: five daughters and one son. Their son, Sarvepalli Gopal, became a distinguished historian and is best known for his biography of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Honors and Awards
- Knighthood (1931): conferred by the British government; he stopped using the title after independence
- Bharat Ratna (1954): India’s highest civilian honor, awarded in its first year
- Peace Prize of the German Book Trade (1961)
- Honorary Membership of the British Royal Order of Merit (1963)
- Sahitya Akademi Fellowship: he was among its first recipients
- Templeton Prize (1975): awarded months before his death for advancing the spiritual dimension of life; he donated the prize money to Oxford University
Death and Legacy
Dr. Radhakrishnan died in Chennai on April 17, 1975, at the age of 86. Oxford University remembers him through the Radhakrishnan Chevening Scholarships and the Radhakrishnan Memorial Award, and many institutions, lectures and prizes in India carry his name.
His most visible legacy, however, is Teachers’ Day. Each year, millions of students thank their teachers on his birthday, and his name is spoken alongside theirs.
Conclusion
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s life shows what scholarship, humility and public service can achieve together. A scholarship boy from a modest Tiruttani household became a philosopher whom Oxford welcomed, a diplomat who represented India in Moscow, and a President who steered the country through war and transition. Through it all, he regarded himself as a teacher first. That conviction explains why India still honors him each September 5, and why his writings continue to introduce new readers to Indian philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan?
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher, educator and statesman. He served as the first Vice President of India (1952–1962) and the second President of India (1962–1967). His birthday, September 5, is celebrated as Teachers’ Day in India.
When and where was Dr. Radhakrishnan born?
He was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, then part of the Madras Presidency and now in Tamil Nadu. His family was Telugu-speaking, which is why some sources link his roots to present-day Andhra Pradesh.
Who were Dr. Radhakrishnan's parents?
His father, Sarvepalli Veeraswami, worked as a subordinate revenue official, and his mother was Sitamma. The family was not wealthy, so Radhakrishnan relied on scholarships to continue his education.
Where did Dr. Radhakrishnan study?
He attended schools in Tiruttani and Tirupati, then Voorhees College in Vellore, and finally Madras Christian College. He earned his bachelor’s degree there in 1906 and his master’s degree in philosophy in 1909.
What was the subject of Radhakrishnan's master's thesis?
His master’s thesis examined the ethics of the Vedanta. It was partly a response to the criticism that Indian philosophy lacked an ethical foundation, and it set the direction of his lifelong work on Indian thought.
Which universities did Dr. Radhakrishnan teach at?
He taught at Madras Presidency College (1909), the University of Mysore (1918) and the University of Calcutta (1921), where he held the King George V Chair of Philosophy. He later became Spalding Professor at Oxford. He also served as Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University.
What was Radhakrishnan's role at Oxford?
From 1936 to 1952 he was Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of All Souls College. His appointment was a landmark, as an Indian scholar was entrusted with interpreting Eastern thought at one of the world’s leading universities.
When was Radhakrishnan Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University?
He served as Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University from 1939 to 1948. Earlier, from 1931 to 1936, he was Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University.
What were Dr. Radhakrishnan's major contributions to philosophy?
He explained Indian philosophy, especially Advaita Vedanta, in a language Western readers could engage with. He argued that religion is about spiritual experience and ethical living rather than ritual or dogma. His work helped build a bridge between Eastern and Western thought.
What are Radhakrishnan's most famous books?
His best-known work is Indian Philosophy (two volumes, 1923 and 1927). Other major books include The Philosophy of the Upanishads, The Hindu View of Life, An Idealist View of Life, Eastern Religions and Western Thought, and his edition of The Bhagavadgita.
Did Radhakrishnan write A Study of Plato?
No. A Study of Plato is not among Radhakrishnan’s recognized works, even though it is sometimes listed wrongly online. His reliable body of work centers on Indian philosophy, the Upanishads, the Gita and comparative religion.
Has Radhakrishnan's philosophy been criticized?
Some scholars argue that he presented Hinduism in an idealized, somewhat Westernized form that played down its internal diversity. His defenders say that this bridge-building is exactly what introduced Indian thought to a global audience. Both views are part of academic discussion.
What was the Radhakrishnan Commission?
It was the University Education Commission of 1948–49, chaired by Radhakrishnan, which reviewed higher education in newly independent India. Its recommendations shaped the early framework of the country’s university system.
Was Radhakrishnan India's ambassador to the Soviet Union?
Yes, he served as India’s Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1949 to 1952. Representing a newly independent, non-aligned country in Moscow during the Cold War called for both diplomatic skill and intellectual standing.
What political roles did Dr. Radhakrishnan hold?
He was a member of India’s Constituent Assembly, Ambassador to the Soviet Union (1949–1952), the first Vice President of India (1952–1962) and the second President of India (1962–1967). As Vice President he was also ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Was Radhakrishnan the first Vice President of India?
Yes. The office was created under the new constitution in 1952, and Radhakrishnan became its first holder. He was re-elected in 1957 and served until 1962.
When did Radhakrishnan become the President of India?
He succeeded Rajendra Prasad and served as the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. His term included the 1962 war with China, Nehru’s death in 1964 and the 1965 war with Pakistan. He chose not to seek a second term.
Why is Teachers' Day celebrated on September 5 in India?
September 5 is Radhakrishnan’s birthday. According to the widely told account, when his students and friends wanted to celebrate it after he became President in 1962, he said it would be a proud privilege if the day were observed as Teachers’ Day instead.
Since when has Teachers' Day been observed in India?
India has observed Teachers’ Day on September 5 every year since 1962. Schools and colleges across the country honor their teachers on this day.
What honors and awards did Dr. Radhakrishnan receive?
His honors included a knighthood (1931), the Bharat Ratna (1954), the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade (1961), honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit (1963) and the Templeton Prize (1975). He was also among the first recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.
When did Radhakrishnan receive the Bharat Ratna?
He received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1954. That was the first year the honor was given, and he was among its first recipients.
What did Radhakrishnan do with the Templeton Prize money?
He received the Templeton Prize in 1975, a few months before his death, for advancing the spiritual dimension of life. He donated the prize money to Oxford University.
Did Radhakrishnan receive a knighthood?
Yes, the British government conferred a knighthood on him in 1931. After India became independent, he stopped using the title.
Who was Dr. Radhakrishnan's wife?
He married Sivakamu in 1903, when he was sixteen. They were together for more than five decades until she died in 1956.
How many children did Dr. Radhakrishnan have?
He had six children: five daughters and one son. Some sources mistakenly say two daughters and one son. His son, Sarvepalli Gopal, became a noted historian.
Who was Sarvepalli Gopal?
Sarvepalli Gopal was Radhakrishnan’s son and a distinguished Indian historian. He is best known for his biography of Jawaharlal Nehru.
When and where did Dr. Radhakrishnan die?
He died on April 17, 1975, in Chennai (then Madras), at the age of 86. This was only a few months after he received the Templeton Prize.
How is Dr. Radhakrishnan remembered today?
His name is most visibly linked with Teachers’ Day, observed every September 5. Oxford University remembers him through the Radhakrishnan Chevening Scholarships and the Radhakrishnan Memorial Award, and many institutions, prizes and lectures in India carry his name. His books remain standard introductions to Indian philosophy.
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