“I believe there is something to the adage that each generation has to rediscover the essential truths. It is vitally important to review the historical record and assess what we should learn from it… Truths have stood the test of time, but only as lived honestly by each succeeding generation. Without faithful continuity of belief and practice, its message is adulterated and eventually lost.”
Brahma Kumaris History
The history of the Brahma Kumaris is presented here across five broad periods, each reflecting significant developments in the community's beliefs, organisation, practices and international growth:
The Foundation Years covering 1932 through 1949, The Transition Years covering 1950 through 1959, The Consolidation Years from 1960 through 1969, and The Expansion Years beginning in 1970 and continuing through to 2007. The time period from 2008 until today is called The Contemporary Period.
Each section brings together photographs, historical documents and other primary and secondary sources relating to that period. Many of the photographs are reproduced with thanks to the Photography Department of Pandav Bhawan. Original documents are available in the Resources section for further research.
The Foundation Years (1932 - 1949)
Lekhraj Koobchand Kripalani was born on 15 December 1884 in Hyderabad, Sindh. In the 1930s, a series of visions and mystical experiences transformed his life and contributed to the formation of the community that became known as Om Mandli and, later, the Brahma Kumaris.
The Consolidation Years (1960 - 1969)
During the 1960s, teachings, practices and organisational systems became increasingly consolidated. The community continued to adapt to its life in India, while the death of Mama, Om Radhe, in 1965 marked the loss of one of its most important early leaders.
The Transition Years (1950 - 1959)
Following Partition and the community's relocation from Sindh to Rajasthan, India, this period saw significant developments in spiritual understanding, teaching, organisational structure and community life.
The Expansion Years (1970 - 2007)
Following the death of Brahma Baba in 1969, leadership passed principally to senior women who had been part of the community since its early years. Over the following decades, the Brahma Kumaris expanded throughout India and internationally, developing centres, programmes and institutional relationships around the world.
The CONTEMPORARY PERIOD (2008 - Today)
The contemporary period has been characterised by continuing international growth alongside changing expressions of authority, practice, community and identity. Long-established traditions now coexist with increasingly diverse ways of interpreting and living Brahma Kumaris teachings across different cultural and generational contexts.
