Aurobindo was born on 15th August 1872 in Calcutta. His father, who was very keenly interested in his education, took him to London for studies there. In the course of time he was made to sit for the prestigious examination of the Indian Civil Service, which was conducted in London.

He passed through the examination but he refused to take the test in riding. As riding was a compulsory test, and he refused to take it, he could thus not clear the Civil Service exam finally.

Why he took this adamant step of not taking the riding test was obvious. He was not at all interested in serving the British which he would have to do if he cleared the examination, so, he intentionally failed to get through.

He had taken the entire exercise of sitting for the examination, only for the satisfaction of his father who wanted him to become an officer of the Civil Service, but to prevent himself from serving the British he failed to take the riding test which was compulsory, for all successful candidates.

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When he returned to India after completing his studies and the Civil Service Examination he started taking active part in politics of India. He joined the terrorist movement and edited the weekly magazine the – ‘Jiigantar’. (Change of age). After much of activity he had to leave India because the British Government was intent upon arresting and punishing him severly for all his activities of terrorism. However, he managed to escape to Pondichery. Pondichery was, at that time being ruled by the French. He got some respite there and, from there only he continued his activities of political terrorism.

From his political acumen, Aurobindo changed to a Saint in his later life. Now he turned on to the activities of serving humanity, and work for the welfare of man. Now he came to be popularly known as Sri Aurobindo. India is today strewn with ashrams of this great humanitarian. These Ashrams are used for teaching man how to live a healthy and happy life.

Thus a politician and that also a terrorist in early age becoming a saint in the latter part of life is the uniqueness of Sri Aurobindo. With his achievements in the society where he worked for the welfare of humanity Aurobindo has left a name to reckon with. His life can be called an example of how a person can change when his inclinations change – and of course change for the better.