Raja Ram Mohun Roy Raja Ram Mohun Roy was a social and religious reformer, a major personality who helped in ushering radical thoughts among the Hindu Bengali community in Calcutta. The 18th century Bengal was a panorama of superstition and orthodox practices. In spite of the rich cultural heritage the corrupt practices, which had made their way into society, marred the progress. In his early life, he had once expressed the desire to convert to monk but was prevented from doing so by his mother. While he was still a teenager, he had a tiff with his father over the issue of idol worship and left home.
Role of Raja Ram Mohun Roy in the Abolition of Sati and Polygamy
Raja Ram Mohun Roy is associated with the abolition of one such evil of the society, 'Sati'. Sati was the practice of burning Windows to death on the funeral pyre of their husbands. What was worse was that many of the widows were not even of marriageable age. It was not just a ritual but a rather crude enjoyment among the onlookers who would make music and merry while the widows were immolated. Another important social evil, which Raja Ram Mohun Roy had done away with, was the practice of polygamy. The practice of Sati became banned in Calcutta in 1829.
He had been given the title of Raja, by the Nawab of Delhi, who had sent him as his representative to the East India Company in England. The chief goal of his visit was to appeal for the abolishment of the Sati. The same issue was backed by Lord Bentley.
Early Life and Education of Raja Ram Mohun Roy
Ram Mohun Roy was born to orthodox Hindu-Brahmin
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parents, Ramakanto Roy and Tarini Devi. From the early age, Roy had an intelligent and thirsty mind. He was educated in different languages including Bengali, Snaskrit, Persian and English. He took an acute interest in theological studies. He studied voraciously and read the original scripts of Quran, and also the translated versions Euclid, Plato and Aristotle. This helped in shaping the liberal ideologies of Roy. His love for religious studies and arguments led him to translate the New Testament of Bible to Bengali. This he did in collaboration with the Baptist Missionaries.
Societies Found By Raja Ram Mohun Roy
The Brahmo Samaj is the most important community, which was founded by Raja Ram Mohun Roy. This was founded in 1828 and exists to this day. The main concept of this community is that it believed in a single God without a form. No ritual or idol worship is encouraged. All religious gatherings are featured by soberness of action, discourses and devotional music. Prince Dwarakanath Tagore, the grandfather of Rabindranath too played an active part in the establishment of the Brahmo Samaj. In 1815, Roy had established the 'Atmiya Sabha' or the Friendly Society, which was soon abolished due to certain differences in opinion between Raja Ram Mohun Roy and the Baptists Missionaries.
Contribution of Raja Ram Mohun Roy in Education
Raja Ram Mohun Roy all for Occidental form of education, as he believed that Western culture and literature could open up new horizons and modern thought among the Indian Youth. He was the founder of the Vedanta College and the Anglo Hindu School.
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