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CONTRIBUTOR : Raja ram mohan roy

Introduction:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the visionary pioneer of modern
India, was more than just a historical figure; he was a beacon
of enlightenment in an era veiled in obscurity. With his
eloquence that matched his unwavering determination, he
shattered the chains of orthodoxy, heralding a new age of reason,
social reform, and progress. In the tapestry of Indian history, Raja
Ram Mohan Roy stands as a luminary, illuminating the path
towards a more enlightened and egalitarian society. Join me as
we delve into the remarkable life and legacy of this remarkable
reformer, whose ideas continue to resonate through the corridors
of time.

Some more information:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833): Noteworthy Indian social

reformer and intellectual of the 19th century.
Birthplace: Bengal, India.
Advocate of Modernization: Advocated for modern education,
rationality, and scientific thinking.
"Father of the Indian Renaissance": Recognized for his pivotal
role in the socio-cultural resurgence of India during British
colonial rule.
Crusader for Social Reform: Led efforts to abolish regressive
practices like sati (widow immolation) and championed women's
rights.
Founder of Brahmo Samaj: Instrumental in establishing this socio-
religious reform movement, which sought to harmonize Hinduism
with Western thought.
Emphasis on Monotheism: Strongly supported the concept of
monotheism.
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Legacy: Left behind a profound impact on Indian society through
his writings and activism, influencing the nation's intellectual and
cultural landscape.

Early life:

1. Birth and Family Background:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar,
Bengal, which is now in Bangladesh. He was born into a wealthy
and orthodox Brahmin family.
2. Education:
He received traditional education in Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic
languages and later learned English, Greek, and Latin through
private tutors.
3. Influence of Father:
His father, Ramakanta Roy, was a prominent landowner and
revenue collector. He was also a religious man and his influence
played a significant role in shaping Raja Ram Mohan Roy's early
beliefs.
4. Reformist Ideas:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was exposed to the social and cultural
issues of his time, including the prevalent superstitions and
religious orthodoxy. These experiences inspired him to work
towards social and religious reforms in India.
5. Persian and Arabic Studies:
Roy became proficient in Persian and Arabic languages, which
allowed him to study various religious texts and philosophies,
including Islamic Sufism and Persian literature.
Role in Administration:
He served in various administrative positions under the British
East India Company, which provided him with insights into both
Indian and British administrative systems.
7. Abolition of Sati:
One of his major early achievements was his active involvement
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in the abolition of the practice of Sati, a tradition where widows
were expected to self-immolate on their husband’s funeral pyre.
He campaigned against this practice vehemently.
8. Founding Atmiya Sabha:
In 1814, he founded the Atmiya Sabha, a socio-religious reform
movement aimed at promoting monotheism and discouraging idol
worship and ritualistic practices.
9. Founding Brahmo Sabha:
In 1828, he founded the Brahmo Sabha, which later became the
Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious reform movement advocating
monotheism, rationality, and social justice. This was a significant
step in the reformist movement of the time.
10. Contributions to Education: Raja Ram Mohan Roy also played
a crucial role in the field of education. He established several
schools based on Western education principles and promoted the
study of English, science, and technology among Indians.
His early life and efforts laid the foundation for the broader reform
movements that followed in India, making him one of the key
figures in the country’s social and religious reform history.

Educational and religious countribution:

Educational Contribution by Raja Ram Mohan Roy

1 He started many schools to educate Indians in Western scientific
education in English.
2 He believed that English-language education was superior to the
traditional Indian education system.
3 He supported David Hare’s efforts to find the Hindu College in
1817, while Roy’s English school taught mechanics and Voltaire’s
philosophy.
4 In 1822, he founded a school based on English education.
5 In 1825, he established Vedanta college where courses in both
Indian learning and Western social and physical sciences were
offered
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Religious Contribution by Raja Ram Mohan Roy
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s first published work Tuhfat-ul-
Muwahhiddin (a gift to deists) published in 1803 exposed
irrational religious beliefs.
• He opposed idolatry, and corrupt practices of the Hindus as
the belief in revelations, prophets, miracles etc.
• He was against the perceived polytheism of Hinduism. He
advocated monotheism as given in the scriptures.
• In 1814, he founded Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta to campaign
against idolatry, caste rigidities, meaningless rituals and other
social ills.
• He criticized the ritualism of Christianity and rejected Christ
as the incarnation of God. In Precepts of Jesus (1820), he tried to
separate the moral and philosophical message of the New
Testament, which he praised, from its miracle stories.
• He translated the Vedas and five of the Upanishads into
Bengali.

Economic and political civil liberties:

Roy was impressed and admired the British system of

constitutional government for the civil liberties it gave to the
people. He wanted to extend the benefits of that system of
government to Indian people.
Press freedom: Through his writings and activities, he supported
the movement for free press in India. When press censorship was
relaxed by Lord Hastings in 1819, Ram Mohan found three
journals- The Brahmanical Magazine (1821); The Bengali weekly,
Samvad Kaumudi (1821); and the Persian weekly, Mirat-ul-
Akbar.
Taxation reforms: Roy condemned oppressive practices of Bengali
zamindars and demanded fixation of minimum rents. He also
demanded the abolition of taxes on tax-free lands. He called for a
reduction of export duties on Indian goods abroad and the
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abolition of the East India Company's trading rights.
Administrative reforms: He demanded the Indianization of
superior services and separation of the executive from judiciary.
He demanded equality between Indians and Europeans.

Social contribution:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy conceived reformist religious associations
as instruments of social and political transformation. He founded
the Atmiya Saha in 1815, the Calcutta Unitarian Association in
1821, and the Brahmo Sabha in 1828 which later became the
Brahmo Samaj. He campaigned against the caste system,
untouchability, superstitions, and use of intoxicants.
He was well known for his pioneering thought and action on the
emancipation of women and especially on the abolition of sati and
widow remarriage. He attacked child marriage, illiteracy of
women and the degraded state of widows and demanded the right
of inheritance and property for women.

Suttee (A Hindu pratha):

Sati Partha, also known as Suttee, was an ancient Indian funeral
custom where a widow was expected to immolate herself on her
husband's funeral pyre.
1. Historical Practice:
Sati Partha was prevalent in certain parts of India for centuries,
especially among the noble and warrior classes.
2. Religious Belief:
It was justified by some as a way for the widow to display her
devotion and loyalty to her deceased husband, often associated
with religious beliefs and social norms.
3. Controversial Tradition:
Sati Partha faced significant criticism from various quarters,
including British colonial authorities and social reformers in the
19th century.
4. British Ban:
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In 1829, Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India,
passed a regulation banning the practice of Sati, making it illegal
in British India.
5. Social Reform:
The abolition of Sati was a crucial step in the broader Indian
social reform movement, championed by figures like Raja Ram
Mohan Roy.
6. Women's Rights:
The ban on Sati was seen as a milestone in the fight for women's
rights, preventing widows from being coerced or forced into self-
immolation.
7. Penalties:
The law prescribed severe penalties for anyone involved in forcing
a woman to commit Sati, including imprisonment and fines.
8. End of the Practice:
While the ban significantly reduced incidents of Sati, isolated
cases continued to occur in remote areas for some time.
9. Historical Significance:
The abolition of Sati highlighted the clash between colonial
authorities and traditional Indian customs, sparking debates about
cultural relativism and human rights.
10. Legacy:
The abolition of Sati marked a pivotal moment in Indian history,
symbolizing the struggle against oppressive social practices and
the promotion of gender equality and human dignity.

Brahmo samaj:

Brahmo Samaj, founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, is a

Hindu reform movement advocating monotheism, rejecting idol
worship and caste discrimination. It emphasizes reason, social
reform, and women's rights, playing a key role in India's social
and religious renaissance. Over time, it diversified into various
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branches, contributing significantly to the modernization of Hindu

thought, and fostering a spirit of progressive social change.

Conclusion:
In summary, Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a trailblazing Indian
social reformer who challenged regressive practices and
championed social, religious, and educational reforms. His efforts,
including the abolition of Sati and advocacy for women's rights,
left a lasting impact, shaping India's progressive ethos. He
founded the Brahmo Samaj, promoting monotheism and social
equality, paving the way for modern interpretations of Hinduism.
Roy's legacy continues to inspire, marking him as a transformative
force in India's history.

Signature: _
Date: _/ /

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