Raja Rammohan Roy was the first Indian to advocate for the abolition of evil social customs. He strongly advocated for Western education, socio-economic reforms, freedom of the press, the emancipation of women, etc. Roy’s role in pre-independent India was like that of a pathfinder. Post-independent India remembers him as a prophet who laid the foundation for a new and modern India. He is responsible for fusing Eastern and Western Ideas of freedom, education, and culture.
The Mughal emperor Akhbar Shah II honored him with the title “RAJA” for his generosity and love for mankind. He is more than a king and is respected abroad and in India as a real Raja for his broad outlook and remarkable contribution which he has achieved by his pen, not by his sword. People have called him “The Herald of New Age”, The Father of Renaissance, and the prophet of Indian Nationalists.
Early Life and Education
22 May 1772, Roy was born in a wealthy and orthodox Brahmin family in Radhanagar, Hooghly district, Bengal Presidency. Ramakant, his father, practiced Vaishnavism, while his mother, Traini Devi, came from a Shivite background. He was a proficient scholar in Sanskrit, Persian, and English, with knowledge of Arabic, Latin, and Greek as well. He married three times. His first wife passed away early, his second wife, who gave birth to Radhaprasad in 1800, died in 1824, and his third wife lived longer than him. The nature and content of Roy’s early education is disputed. In the village Pathshala, Roy commenced his formal education and acquired knowledge of Bengali, Sanskrit, and Persian. It is said that he attended a madrasa in Patna for Persian and Arabic studies, and later went to Banaras to specialize in Sanskrit and Hindi scripture, such as the Vedas and Upanishads. In 1830, Rammohan Roy sailed for England to witness the impact of the sati system. He met Jeremy Bentham who had great influence. He also met Robert Owen (British Socialism). He died on 27 September 1833 in British.
Who Was Raja Rammohan Roy?
Ram Mohan Roy is recognized as the father of the Indian Renaissance, guiding India toward modernity. He was instrumental in championing social reforms such as the abolition of Sati, the empowerment of women, and the introduction of Western education in India. A great scholar fluent in multiple languages, Roy was instrumental in merging Eastern and Western philosophies, laying the groundwork for modern Indian thought and society.
Raja Rammohan Roy’s Encounter with Jeremy Bentham: A Turning Point in His Reformist Vision
Jeremy Bentham, the founder of utilitarianism, had a significant influence on Raja Rammohan Roy during the early 1830s when Roy traveled to England and engaged with Western thinkers, including Bentham. Bentham’s philosophy of maximizing happiness and advocating for legal and social reforms resonated deeply with Roy. During this meeting period, he left a lasting impact on Roy’s approach to abolishing practices like Sati and promoting individual rights. Bentham’s emphasis on rational governance, law reform, and freedom of expression shaped Roy’s vision for social and legal progress in India.
Achievement of Raja Rammohan Roy
Rammohan Roy’s achievements include:
- Abolition of Sati: He campaigned tirelessly against the Sati system, leading to its prohibition in 1829 by the British government.
- Promotion of Widow Remarriage: Roy advocated for the rights of widows to remarry, challenging societal norms and contributing to women’s empowerment.
- Founding Brahmo Samaj: In 1829, he established the Brahmo Samaj, a reformist religious and social organization that sought to eliminate social evils and promote monotheism.
- Advocacy for Education: He championed Western education and the need for modern educational institutions in India, focusing on rationalism and scientific inquiry.
- Freedom of the Press: Roy emphasized the importance of a free press, advocating for reasonable restrictions to ensure responsible reporting and prevent sedition.
These achievements made him a significant figure in India’s social reform movement and influenced future generations.
Contribution of Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Raja Rammohun Roy was one of India’s most important social reformers and religious thinkers. His entire life was influenced by a great visionary spirit, and he made many efforts to transform Indian society. These changes and reforms are still a fundamental part of Indian society. His contributions are divided into several areas.
1. The Rights and freedoms of man.
(a) Civil Rights and Freedoms
Raja Rammohan Roy was the first man in India to emphasize civil rights and freedom. He has written extensively on the importance of personal freedom.
He believed that the right to life, liberty, and property is a fundamental right and this right is given by the nature of man. He also emphasized moral and religious rights as these rights help human beings to lead a moral and ideal life.
(ii) Freedom of speech and expression.
He believed in the need for spontaneous improvement of attitudes and thinking.
He stressed the right of the media to voice its views and concerns. He insisted on the freedom of the press but was totally against indiscipline. He warned that too much freedom can sometimes lead to dangerous situations.
2. Social and religious changes.
(a) Racism and Discrimination
Rammohun Roy saw caste as a weapon to divide people and divide society. He made many efforts to destroy the discrimination between Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras. He said, “Man is not a nation, he is born for it. “
(ii) opposition to the practice of sati.
Sati was an inhuman practice. Roy declared it to be an unfair and unjust part of Indian society. As a result of his efforts to abolish the practice, Lord Bentinck declared it illegal in 1829.
(iii) Support for widow remarriage.
The society did not allow it, but Rammohan Roy tried to give a new life to the widows.
He was against child marriage and polygamy. “Women should enjoy the same rights as men. These contributions made him a great social reformer.
3. Education and Promotion.
(a) The development of modern education
Raja Rammohun Roy considered education as the fundamental way of development of modern society. He criticized the Pathshala system and the Gurukul system of education because it was archaic and could not impart real-life knowledge. In 1822, he established a modern school in Calcutta for the spread of classical education. He strongly advocated English education and opposed Sanskrit and Arabo-Persian education. “For the betterment of the country, a person needs science, mathematics, philosophical thoughts, and better education,” he said.
(b) Establishment of the Hindu College.
In 1817, he founded the Hindu College with Debendranath Tagore, which later became the famous Presidency College. English, science, mathematics, and Western philosophical thought were part of the curriculum. He acknowledged the excellence of ancient Indian learning but did not condone its blind devotion.
4. Establishment of Brahmo Samaj
In 1828, Raja Rammohun Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj, a social and religious movement. The Sangh worked to bring about religious harmony, moral upliftment, and social change among the people. He did not necessarily accept polytheistic worship and liturgy; other temples of this society believed only in “monotheism.” The society worked for women’s rights, widow remarriage, and the empowerment of indigenous people.
Economic and Administrative Reforms. He believed in the need to restructure Indian agriculture and economy. He opposed the zamindari system and tried to ensure the rights of the peasants. “The British rule was not concerned about the real development of India,” he alleged. He wrote several articles on the economic freedom of Indian society.
5. Freedom of the press and free speech
He was the leader of India’s first press freedom movement. He published many books and pamphlets on British rule, injustice, and inequality in society. His famous journals are Sambad Kaumudi (Bengali) and Miratul Akhbar (Urdu). He opposed the Press Control Act passed by the British in 1823.