


Gradually, RSS grew into a prominent Hindu nationalist umbrella organisation, spawning several affiliated organisations that established numerous schools, charities, and clubs to spread its ideological beliefs. It drew initial inspiration from European right-wing groups during World War II, such as the Italian Fascist Party. The organisation promotes the ideals of upholding Indian culture and the values of a civil society and spreads the ideology of Hindutva, to "strengthen" the Hindu community. The initial impetus was to provide character training through Hindu discipline and to unite the Hindu community to form a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation). As of 2014, it has a membership of 5–6 million. The RSS is the progenitor and leader of a large body of organisations called the Sangh Parivar (the "family of the RSS"), which have presence in all facets of the Indian society. 'National Volunteer Organisation'), is an Indian right-wing, Hindu nationalist, paramilitary volunteer organisation.
