Ram Mohan Roy’s Role and Contribution in the Formation of Modern India.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy is the shaper of modern India.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833) was a key figure in the socio-religious and political reform movements of 19th-century India. His contributions were instrumental in shaping the intellectual and social landscape of modern India.
What is the role and contribution of Ram Mohan Roy in the formation of modern India? Here are some of the significant roles and contributions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
Social Reforms:
Abolition of Sati: Ram Mohan Roy played a crucial role in the abolition of the practice of Sati, where widows were expected to self-immolate on their husband’s funeral pyre. His efforts led to the passage of the Bengal Sati Regulation in 1829, which prohibited the practice.
Opposition to Social Evils: Roy was vocal against various social evils like polygamy, child marriage, and caste discrimination. He advocated for social equality and worked towards eradicating discriminatory practices.
Religious Reforms:
Founding Brahmo Samaj: In 1828, Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj, a reformist religious and social movement that aimed to promote monotheism, reason, and the rejection of idolatry. The Brahmo Samaj played a crucial role in challenging orthodox Hindu practices.
Translation of Religious Texts: Roy translated several Hindu religious texts, including the Vedas and Upanishads, into Bengali and English. He aimed to make these texts more accessible to the common people and to promote rational and ethical interpretations.
Educational Reforms:
Promotion of Western Education: Ram Mohan Roy recognized the importance of Western education and worked towards its promotion in India. He believed that a synthesis of Indian and Western knowledge would contribute to the intellectual advancement of the society.
Founding Educational Institutions: Roy was involved in the establishment of educational institutions, including the Hindu College in Calcutta (now Kolkata). These institutions played a crucial role in the spread of modern education in India.
Political Reforms:
Advocacy for Constitutional Reforms: Ram Mohan Roy was an early advocate for constitutional reforms in India. He sought a greater role for Indians in the administration and emphasized the need for a constitutional form of government.
Opposition to British Exploitation: While Roy recognized the positive aspects of Western education and governance, he also criticized the exploitative policies of the British East India Company and advocated for Indian self-governance.
Advocacy for Women’s Rights:
Support for Women’s Education: Roy believed in the education of women and advocated for their rights. He argued that the progress of society was closely linked to the education and empowerment of women.
Ram Mohan Roy’s multifaceted contributions laid the foundation for the socio-cultural and intellectual transformation of India. His ideas and efforts had a lasting impact on the Indian reform movements and paved the way for the emergence of a more inclusive and progressive society.
Some related books of the Renaissance In India as PDF file given below in this webpage for readers. Anyone can collect these book’s pdf file from this webpage or read online.
01. Adhunik Bharater Rupakar Raja Ram Mohan Roy by Bijit Kumar Dutta (Bengali) PDF
02. Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Progressive Movements In India (1941) by Jitendra Kumar Majumdar English PDF
03. Raja Ram Mohan Roy by Saumyendranath Tagore (Telugu) PDF.
04. The Life and Letters Of Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1962) by Collet Sophia Dobson and Dilip Kumar Biswas