Role of Raja Rammohan Roy in the renaissance of Bengal.
Raja Rammohan Roy – Significant role in the Renaissance of Bengal.
Raja Rammohan Roy (1772–1833) played a significant role in the renaissance of Bengal, contributing to social, cultural, and educational reforms during the early 19th century. His efforts were instrumental in bringing about a transformation in the intellectual and social landscape of Bengal. Here are some key aspects of Raja Rammohan Roy’s role in the Bengal Renaissance:
Social Reforms:
Abolition of Sati (Widow Burning): Raja Rammohan Roy was a strong advocate for the abolition of the practice of Sati, where widows were compelled to immolate themselves on their husband’s funeral pyre. His influential campaign against Sati led to the passing of the Bengal Sati Regulation Act in 1829 by the British authorities, which declared Sati illegal and punishable.
Opposition to Social Evils: Rammohan Roy actively opposed various social evils prevalent in society, including polygamy, child marriage, and the caste system. He advocated for the upliftment of women and the eradication of discriminatory practices.
Educational Reforms:
Promotion of Western Education: Rammohan Roy recognized the importance of modern education and was a proponent of Western-style education. He established the Hindu College in Calcutta in 1817, which later played a crucial role in the development of the educational system in Bengal.
Advocacy for Vernacular Education: While promoting Western education, Rammohan Roy also emphasized the importance of education in the vernacular languages to reach a broader section of society. He supported the development of education in languages like Bengali, Hindi, and Sanskrit.
Cultural and Religious Reforms:
Foundation of Brahmo Samaj: Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828, a socio-religious reform movement that sought to discard idol worship, caste distinctions, and other orthodox practices. The Brahmo Samaj played a crucial role in shaping the religious and cultural landscape of Bengal.
Interfaith Dialogue: Rammohan Roy engaged in dialogues with scholars of different religions, including Christianity and Islam. He emphasized the commonalities among religions and sought to foster a spirit of tolerance and understanding.
Advocacy for Rationalism and Humanism:
Publication of Sambad Kaumudi: Rammohan Roy used the platform of his journal, Sambad Kaumudi, to promote rationalism, scientific thinking, and humanism. Through his writings, he encouraged critical thinking and the adoption of rational approaches to societal issues.
Raja Rammohan Roy’s multifaceted contributions laid the foundation for the Bengal Renaissance, which marked a period of intellectual, social, and cultural revival in the region. His ideas and reforms had a lasting impact on the trajectory of Bengal’s socio-cultural development.
Some related books of the Renaissance In India as PDF file given below this webpage for readers. Anyone can collect these books pdf file from this webpage or read online.
The Bengal Renaissance PDF by K.S. Bhattacharjee PDF, Pages – 286, PDF Size – 19MB
Studies In the Bengal Renaissance (1958) PDF, Pages – 620, PDF Size – 47 MB
The Renaissance In India PDF, Pages – 308, PDF Size – 13 MB