Education

Raja Ram Mohan Roy: The Father of the Indian Renaissance

One of the most significant figures in the history of the Indian Renaissance was Bengali polymath Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833). Roy not only wrote prolifically on a variety of topics, but also made a significant contribution to education, science, religion, and philosophy.

Born into a Kayastha family in 1772 in West Bengal, Roy’s father was a highly educated man who had served as a personal secretary to the Nawab of Dhaka. Roy spent his early life at the family estate in Bagha Jatin, near Calcutta.

In his early twenties, Roy came into contact with the writings of the western Enlightenment philosophers. This sparked his interest in rationalistic thinking and reform movements. Roy was also influenced by the nationalist sentiments that were sweeping through Bengal at the time.

In the late eighteenth century, many Indians were beginning to demand greater autonomy and rights from the British Raj. The Nawab of Bengal, who ruled over large parts of modern-day Bangladesh, was one of the most powerful Indian nobles who opposed British influence.

The nawab was a popular figure among the Bengali people, who looked up to him as a symbol of independence and self-rule.

After reading books by various European thinkers and reformers, Roy came to believe that independent government was the best guarantee of a civil society and its institutions.

In 1798, he founded the Brahmo Samaj, a religious and social reform.

Raj Ram Mohan Roy

Western Ideas and Influences

Roy was introduced to the European Enlightenment thinkers by a tutor in his early twenties. Roy was also influenced by the nationalist sentiments that were sweeping through Bengal.

In the late eighteenth century, many Indians were beginning to demand greater autonomy and rights from the British Raj. The Nawab of Bengal, who ruled over large parts of modern-day Bangladesh, was one of the most powerful Indian nobles who opposed British influence.

The nawab was a popular figure among the Bengali people, who looked up to him as a symbol of independence and self-rule.

After reading books by various European thinkers and reformers, Roy came to believe that independent government was the best guarantee of a civil society and its institutions.

In 1798, he founded the Brahmo Samaj, a religious and social reform movement which sought to create harmony among Hindus by eliminating caste restrictions and achieving social equality through intermarriage between castes.

In 1828, Roy established an English school in Calcutta where students learned about Indian history and culture. He also helped establish Hindu College at Kolkata (now named after him). In 1840 he became one of the first Indians appointed as an official member of council for India’s administration under Crown Rule. His thoughts have had considerable influence on later generations of Indians – for instance on Gandhi’s ideas about non-violence and passive resistance.

Brahmo Samaj

The Brahmo Samaj was a social and religious reform movement in India. It was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who is considered by many to be the father of the Indian Renaissance.

The movement gained prominence in the 19th century with the efforts of Roy and Debendranath Tagore.

In 20th-century India, it became one of the better-known Indian reform movements.

The Brahmo Samaj differed from other similar groups through its rejection of all gods and goddesses as well as its rejection of idol worship. It also rejected the authority of Hindu scriptures such as the Vedas and Puranas, which are often seen as sacred.

Instead, Brahmos place importance on rational thought, gender equality, and individual rights. They do not believe in any human distinctions or inequalities based on caste or race.

**The information above is courtesy of Wikipedia**

Hindu Renovationist Movement

In 1828, Roy moved to England where he became one of the most influential Indians in history.

Roy was a prolific writer and scholar, working on projects ranging from religious topics to the Indian legal code. He wrote a number of books on various subjects in Bengali, Persian and English.

His most popular work is “Commentary on the Hindu Scriptures,” which was published in 1804. The book is an extensive examination of Hinduism, its concepts and its scriptures.

Roy’s fame as a scholar also helped him establish contact with British society at large. He met with various intellectuals such as John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham.

Although his efforts to promote reform were not always successful, Roy is revered among many different communities for his contributions to the Indian Renaissance.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s Reforms

Roy’s first, most notable, and most influential reform was his proposal for the abolition of “sati,” the ritual suicide by widows in response to their husbands’ deaths. Roy argued that this practice was not in keeping with Hindu Dharma and that it should be abolished.

Roy’s call for the end of sati resulted in the formation of a public opinion against the custom. In 1829, after years of debate over Parliament, William Bentinck became governor-general and he eventually banned sati in 1843 under pressure from activists and Indian intellectuals as well as British missionaries.

In addition to his work on sati, Roy founded schools for Hindus, Muslims, and Christians alike. He also helped to establish educational institutions for women.

Conclusion

The father of the Indian Renaissance, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, is a classic example of how the forces of globalization can change a society. Through his efforts, he was able to bring the best of Western ideas and influences to India, while still retaining the Indian culture.

Admin

Every day we create distinctive, world-class content which inform, educate and entertain millions of people across the globe.

Related Articles

Back to top button