In nineteenth century, a socio – religious reform movement started under the leadership of Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was called as the founder of change and revolt in Bengal, as the founder of renaissance in India, as the promoter of reform movement, and the first leader of modern India. He believed in the fundamental principles and philosophy of Hinduism.
He wanted to eradicate the prejeudices from the contemporary society. He wished to adopt a scientific outlook human dignity, social equality etc., and aimed at social, cultural, political and religious development in India. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born in a Brahmin landlord family in Radhanagar in Bengal. He made deep study of Hindusim, Islam, Christainity and their important texts.
He had knowledge of English, French, German. Latin, Hebrew and various other languages. He served the East India company for some time, but later he resigned. In order to spread his thoughts, he worte books named ‘Gift to Monothiesť and ‘Precepts of Jesus’. He also wrote ‘Tohfatul at Muhiddin’ in Persian language.
He published : Mirat – ul Akhbar” in Persian language, ‘Samvand Kaumudi’ in Bangala language and “Bangadoot” in Hindi Language. He established ‘Atmiya Samaj’ in 1815 CE in Calcutta. He founded Vedanta college in 1825 in Calcutta. He spread his thoughts by establishing ‘Brahma Sabha’ in 1828 CE in Calcutta.
Later it was known as ‘Brahma Samaj,” Devendranath Tagore (father of Rabindranath Tagore) got influenced by the thoughts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and established, “Tatvabodhini Samaj’. After Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Devendranath tagore revived the Brahma Samaj in 1843 CE. Keshav Chandra Sen increased the popularity of Brahma Samaj.
Devendranath Tagore wished to take Brahma samaj ahead on the path as suggested by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Keshav chandra sen gave permission to propagate the study of all the religions in Brahma Samaj. He started taking more interest in social reforms. Due to this, conflict started to increase between both of them. In 1867 CE, Devendranath Tagore removed Keshav Chandra sen from the post of ‘Acharya’.
‘Brahma samaj got split into two parts. Samaj of Devendra Nath Tagore came to be called as ‘Adi Brahma Samaj’ and Samaj of Keshav Chandra sen came to be called as ‘Bharat ka. Brahma Samaj”. 1… Keshav Chandra Sen strongly opposed child marriage, But he got his 13 years old daughter married to the old king of kuchvihar.
Due to this, some of his followers became unhappy with him and Keshav Sen’s Bharat ka Brahma Samaj segregated in 1878 CE. People who believed that they were progressive, seperated from ‘Bharat ka Brahma Samaj’ and established Sadharan Brahma Samaj. Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Brahma Samaj worked singnificantly in soical, religious and educational sphere.
Social reforms of Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy and his Brahma Samaj opposed the evils prevalent in the contemporary Indian society. On the basis of religious texts, Raja Ram Mohan Roy tried to prove that various social evils were against the fundamental principles of Hinduism. He opposed caste system, untouchabilitys, Sati system polygamy, child marriage, purdah (veil) system etc.
He ran a movement to eradicate sati system. On the basis of fundamental Hindu religions texts, he tried to prove that sati system did not have social acceptance and it was never present in the form of a custom in Hindu society. He further told that even the human brain cannot support such system. Through newspapers and magazines, Raja Ram Mohan Roy gathered public verdict against sati system.
With the effort of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a law was formed during the time of Lord William Bentick and sati system was banned in 1829 CE. The courts were ordered that in such cases, the offenders should be tried for murder of a person and they should be punished accordingly. Initially, this law was implemented only in Bengal.
Later it was implemented in Bombay and Madras in 1830 CE. Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Brahma Samaj opposed the social evils and supported widow remarriage for the well being of women. He talked about providing economic rights to women. He made efforts for women education. Brahma Samaj laid the foundation of ‘Balika Vishvavidyalaya (Girls’ University).
Religious Reforms done by Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy said that God is one. Through the Vedas, Upanishads etc., he tried to prove that the principle of one God is present in the fundamental Hindu religious texts. He opposed irrelevant communal rituals and prejudices. He believed that Vedanta philosophy is also based on factual evidences. Raja Ram Mohan Roy said that if a philosophy, tradition etc.
does not prove to be correct on the basis of facts, mankind should not refrain from renouncing it. He also criticized, the superstitions prevalent in Christianity. Raja Ram Mohan Roy believed in fundamental unity of all the world communities and religions. Brahma Samaj spread the beliefs of Raja Ram Mohan Roy regarding oneness of God and disbelief in idol worship.
