Young Bengal Movement was started by Sir Henry Louis Vivian Derozio a teacher of Hindu College between 1826 and 1831. His teachings were pragmatic and rational. He had a batch of brilliant students who later contributed significantly to the culture of Bengal.
The students of Derozio included Reverend Krishnamohon Bandopadhyay, Dakshinaranjan Mukhopadhyay, Radhanath Sikdar, Ramtanu Lahiri, Govinda Chandra Basak, Amritalal Mitra, Ramgopal Ghosh, Harachandra Ghosh, Maheshchandra Ghosh, Shibchandra Deb, Madhab Chandra Mallik, and Rashik Krishna Mallik.
Derozio's teachings questioned the existing superstitions and age-old beliefs. He motivated his Young Bengal members with his teaching of 'to live and die for truth.' He taught them freedom of ideas and thoughts. According to Derozio every happening must have a rational explanation and reasoning.
Henry L.V. Derozio formed an Academic Association with his students in 1828. This association organized discussions and debates, which were attended by eminent personalities and scholars. The writings of Tom Paine, Voltaire,John Locke, and David Hume were
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read, discussed and argued upon. The Young Bengal group in 1838 founded the Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge presided by Tarachand Chakraborty.
The Young Bengal group in Calcutta published a number of periodicals between 1829 and 1843. 'Gyananvesan', or Quest for Knowledge was published between 1831 and 1844 and was acclaimed by the missionaries. This periodical published in English and Bengali contained writings on governmental science. Rashik Krishna Mallik was the organizer of this magazine. Reverend Krishnamohon Bandopadhyay in 1931 started publishing the 'Enquirer', which dealt with the orthodox practices of the existing society. 'Hindu Pioneer' started in 1838 contained writings in politics and government. Tarachand Chakroborty started 'The Quill' which also discussed political issues. In 1842, a Bengali monthly periodical, ‘The Bengal Spectator’ was published for the first time. It dealt exhaustively with social, economic and political matters.
The Young Bengal Movement could not last long because the ideas were Western and alien to Bengal tradition and customs. Its ideologies therefore could not gather sufficient local support and died a natural death.
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