Who was the founder of the Theosophical Society?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on the history of religious and philosophical movements in modern times. The Theosophical Society played an important role in spreading spiritual, philosophical, and reformist ideas in India and abroad. Understanding who founded it helps students connect personalities like Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Annie Besant with the larger socio religious movement that influenced Indian nationalism and social reform during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks about the founder, not later leaders.
• Options include Justice Ranade, Madam Blavatsky, Annie Besant, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and None of the above.
• Exactly one of these can correctly be identified as the principal founder of the Theosophical Society.

Concept / Approach:
The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 in New York. The key figures were Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott, with Blavatsky recognised as the central founding personality who gave the movement its doctrines and spiritual direction. Annie Besant became a later prominent leader and president of the society, especially in India, but she was not the founder. The approach is to distinguish between founder and later leader, and then pick the correct name from the alternatives.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall when and where the Theosophical Society began. It was founded in 1875 in New York. Step 2: Remember that Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott were its main founders, with Blavatsky providing the spiritual and doctrinal framework. Step 3: Note that Annie Besant joined the Theosophical Society later and became one of its most influential presidents, especially in India. Step 4: Consider the other options. Justice Ranade and Bal Gangadhar Tilak were associated with Indian social and political reform, not with founding the Theosophical Society. Step 5: Conclude that Madam Blavatsky is the correct choice as the founder.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification method is to recall the names most directly tied to the word Theosophy in standard history texts. The name of Madam Blavatsky almost always appears as the key founder, while Annie Besant is consistently described as a prominent later leader. Justice Ranade is linked with the Prarthana Samaj and Indian social reform. Bal Gangadhar Tilak is remembered as a nationalist leader and early extremist in the Indian National Congress, not as a Theosophist founder. This cross checking removes ambiguity.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Justice Ranade: A noted Indian social reformer and judge, but he did not found the Theosophical Society. Annie Besant: A major leader and later president of the Theosophical Society in India, but not the original founder. Bal Gangadhar Tilak: An Indian nationalist leader associated with Swaraj and Ganesh festivals, not Theosophy. None of the above: Incorrect because Madam Blavatsky is a correct option in the list.

Common Pitfalls:
The most common mistake is choosing Annie Besant because many exam oriented books and articles frequently mention her name together with the Theosophical Society and Indian nationalism. Students may forget that she came after the founding of the society. Another error is general confusion between religious reformers and political leaders, which leads to wrong choices like Tilak or Justice Ranade. Careful reading of the word founder and remembering the historical timeline helps avoid these mistakes.

Final Answer:
The founder of the Theosophical Society is Madam Blavatsky (Helena Petrovna Blavatsky).