Keshab Chandra Sen was an eminent Bengali scholar and a social reformer. This great personality was born on 19th November, 1838 in the well-known family of Sens. Keshab Chandra graduated himself from the Hindu College and made a thorough study of History, Sanskrit literature and Philosophy, Unitarian Theology, Vedas and Gita. In 1857, this noted personality established a Unitarian religious social organization, 'Goodwill Fraternity'. He was considered to be the main speaker of this association.
Rajnarayan Bose’s piece of writing on 'Brahmoism' left a mark on his mind and during the 1st Independence War of 1957, Keshab Chandra Sen joined the Brahmo Samaj and very soon became a leading member of this association.
From the age of 19, Keshab Chandra Sen seriously engaged himself in the work of social reformation. For adult education, this great man had set up an evening school. Added to this, he also established a number of spiritual and social organizations. He tried hard to reduce child marriage and polygamy and encouraged inter-caste marriage. Keshab Chandra was also a highly intellectual writer and journalist. In the true sense, he had succeeded to raise social awareness among the common mass of Bengal.
In the year 1861, Keshab Chandra Sen's 'Indian Mirror' (journal) was published for the first time. Initially it was
a bi-weekly journal. However, later in 1871,
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it was published daily. His Sulabha Samachar (paper) also became quite popular among the young generation. This paper includes the following articles:
- Lamentation of the Poor
- Distress of the Tenants
- The Sufferings of the Calcutta Workers
This religious reformer traveled all through India and came into contact with several other noted figures, such as John Stuart Mill, Max Mueller and Gladstone. In 1878, Keshab Chandra established Bharat Ashram in the year 1878. Ramkrishna deeply moved this noted figure and under his influence Keshab Chandra Sen introduced various concepts of Vairagya and Yoga.
In the year of 1880 Keshab Chandra advocated the Religion of Harmony, the Navavidhan. Keshab Chandra also encouraged many of the Brahmas to give up the practice of wearing sacred thread. He also gave stress on women education, which was considered to be the primary concern of Brahma Bandhu Sabha. Keshab Chandra was a leading figure of this association. Keshab Chandra also took active part in the activities of Bama Hitaisini Sabha, 1871.
On 8th January, 1884, Keshab Chandra Sen passed away. In order to show respect to this great man, the department of the Indian Posts and Telegraphs issued a special stamp.
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