Not only social reformers, revolutionary leaders, and politicians, but also teachers, have actively shaped the history of India. Through their knowledge and guidance, they nurtured young minds and instilled values that propelled society forward. These great teachers of India left a lasting impact on communities, education systems, and the nation as a whole. Even today, several teachers across India carry forward this legacy and work responsibly toward shaping the next generation.

Great Teachers of India

In this article, we will introduce you to the great teachers of India, the ones those who shaped India’s past and those who continue to inspire and educate:

1. Chanakya

Chanakya was an ancient philosopher, economist, statesman, and royal advisor. Also, known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, he was the one who fortified the Mauryan Empire. It was under his mentorship and strategic guidance that Chandragupta Maurya rose to fame and power.

Chanakya was the professor of economics and political science at Takshashila, the ancient university (now in Pakistan), before he became the chief advisor and kingmaker to Chandragupta Maurya.

He authored two books, the Arthshastra and Neetishastra (also known as Chanakya Niti). Both his books share profound wisdom on statecraft, leadership, and economics.

2. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an academician, philosopher, and statesman of India. He was the first vice president and second president of Independent India, and one of the most outstanding teachers in Indian history.

Born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Radhakrishnan completed his high school education from Voorhees College in Vellore. He later joined the Madras Christian College after completing his F.A. (First of Arts) at the age of 16. He graduated in 1907 and earned his Master’s in Philosophy.

In 1909, he joined the Department of Philosophy at the Madras Presidency College and later went to the University of Mysore. He joined the University of Calcutta in 1921 and represented it at the Congress of the University of the British Empire and the International Congress of Philosophy at Harvard University in 1926. In 1929, he delivered the Hibbert Lecture at Manchester College, Oxford, on the ideal of life. Radhkrishnan served as the vice chancellor of Andhra University from 1931 to 1936.

He had many other remarkable academic achievements to his name. He was a great scholar, educator, and philosopher. The nation celebrates his birthday as Teacher’s Day.

3. Savitribai Phule

The eponym of the University of Pune, Savitribai Phule, is counted among the great teachers of India. She was the first female teacher of modern India and founded India’s first girls’ school in 1848. Phule also co-founded the Satyashodhak Samai (Society of Truth Seekers) in 1873.

She was among the earliest and most influential pioneers of women’s education in India. Throughout her life, she worked relentlessly alongside her husband, Jyotiba Phule, for women’s rights. Even after facing resistance from society, she kept working for widows and women of lower castes.

4. C.V. Raman

Charnrasekhara Venkata Raman was born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu. He excelled in mathematics and physics from a very young age. In 1907, he earned a Master’s degree in Physics from Presidency College, Madras.

From 1917 to 1933, he worked as a professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta. In 1930, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of the Raman Effect. From 1933 onwards, he started teaching at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

He always encouraged students to be curious and emphasized hands-on experimentation and independent research.  He was one of the best physics teacher in India.

5. Madan Mohan Malviya

Madan Mohan Malviya was a visionary education reformer who worked to make education accessible to all social groups, including marginalized communities and economically weaker sections.

He advocated an amalgamation of traditional Indian knowledge (Sanskrit, philosophy, and dharma)s and modern scientific education (science, medicine, and engineering).  With this vision, he co-founded the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916, which is Asia’s largest residential university and one of the largest in the world. From 1919 to 1938, he served as the vice-chancellor of BHU. He was the founder of the Bharat Scouts and Guides and of the highly influential English-language newspaper The Leader.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya always supported moral and character-based education. He emphasized holistic education that nurtures students’ minds, character, and spirit, not just academics. Malviya also endorsed the use of Indian languages (Hindi and Sanskrit) in education.

He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna for his contributions and impact on the Indian education system.

6. Rabindra Nath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was one of the nation’s most significant literary and cultural figures. He was a poet, composer, painter, philosopher, and a pioneering educator. In 1913, he became the first Asian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature for Gitanjali.

Also known as Gurudev, Kobiguru, or Biswakobi, Rabindranath Tagore founded Santiniketan in 1901 as an experimental school. The school embodied his ideals of outdoor learning, creativity, and liberation from rote-centric learning. In 1921, he expanded Santiniketan into Visva-Bharati, a national university. In 1952, it became a central university.

7. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

A scientist, a teacher, and a visionary- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the missile man of India, inspired generations. He played an instrumental role in developing India’s missile and space programs, such as Agni and Prithvi missile systems. Kalam led projects such as SLV-3 and served as a key scientific advisor in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. He proposed Vision 2020, an elaborate roadmap for transforming the country into a developed nation.

But, above all, he was a teacher. He loved teaching and interacting with students. He always inspired them to work hard with honesty, compassion, and integrity. After his presidency, he devoted himself to education, research, and youth empowerment. He became a visiting professor and mentor at several leading educational institutions, including IIMs, BHU, IISc, etc.

8. R. Balakrishnan (R.B.)

Balakrishnan is a legendary mathematics teacher among IIT-JEE aspirants across India. His name frequently comes up in conversations about who is the best math teacher in India.

He is known for simplifying the most difficult mathematical problems and making them more understandable to high school and pre-university students.

His teaching methodologies defy rote learning. He uses a concept-driven approach and encourages analytical thinking, problem-solving, and interactive learning.

The bottom line

India’s greatness is not only measured by its history, culture, and achievements, but also by the contributions of these teachers. These educators laid the foundation for knowledge, values, principles, ethics, character, and progress. The great teachers of India are the backbone of its scholarly and cultural growth.