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Ram Mohan Roy

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Ram Mohan Roy (born May 22, 1772, Radhanagar, Bengal, India—died September 27, 1833, Bristol , Gloucestershire, England) was an Indian religious, social, and educational reformer who challenged traditional Hindu culture and indicated lines of progress for Indian society under British rule. He is sometimes called the father of modern India .

He was born in British-ruled Bengal to a prosperous family of the Brahman class ( varna ). Little is known of his early life and education , but he seems to have developed unorthodox religious ideas at an early age. As a youth, he traveled widely outside Bengal and mastered several languages— Sanskrit , Persian , Arabic , and English , in addition to his native Bengali and Hindi .

Roy supported himself by moneylending, managing his small estates, and speculating in British East India Company bonds . In 1805 he was employed by John Digby, a lower company official who introduced him to Western culture and literature. For the next 10 years Roy drifted in and out of British East India Company service as Digby’s assistant.

Roy continued his religious studies throughout that period. In 1803 he composed a tract denouncing what he regarded as India’s superstition and its religious divisions, both within Hinduism and between Hinduism and other religions. As a remedy for those ills, he advocated a monotheistic Hinduism in which reason guides the adherent to “the Absolute Originator who is the first principle of all religions.” He sought a philosophical basis for his religious beliefs in the Vedas (the sacred scriptures of Hinduism) and the Upanishads (speculative philosophical texts), translating those ancient Sanskrit treatises into Bengali, Hindi, and English and writing summaries and treatises on them. The central theme of those texts, for Roy, was the worship of the Supreme God who is beyond human knowledge and who supports the universe. In appreciation of his translations, the French Société Asiatique in 1824 elected him to an honorary membership.

In 1815 Roy founded the short-lived Atmiya-Sabha (Friendly Society) to propagate his doctrines of monotheistic Hinduism. He became interested in Christianity and learned Hebrew and Greek in order to read the Old ( see Hebrew Bible ) and New Testaments . In 1820 he published the ethical teachings of Christ, excerpted from the four Gospels , under the title Precepts of Jesus , the Guide to Peace and Happiness.

In 1823, when the British imposed censorship upon the Calcutta (Kolkata) press, Roy, as founder and editor of two of India’s earliest weekly newspapers, organized a protest, arguing in favour of freedom of speech and religion as natural rights. That protest marked a turning point in Roy’s life, away from preoccupation with religious polemic and toward social and political action. In his newspapers, treatises, and books, Roy tirelessly criticized what he saw as the idolatry and superstition of traditional Hinduism. He denounced the caste system and attacked the custom of suttee ( ritual burning of widows upon the funeral pyres of their deceased husbands). His writings emboldened the British East India Governing Council to act decisively on the matter, leading to the prohibition of suttee in 1829.

In 1822 Roy founded the Anglo-Hindu School and four years later the Vedanta College in order to teach his Hindu monotheistic doctrines. When the Bengal government proposed a more traditional Sanskrit college, in 1823, Roy protested that classical Indian literature would not prepare the youth of Bengal for the demands of modern life. He proposed instead a modern Western curriculum of study. Roy also led a protest against the outmoded British legal and revenue administration in India.

In August 1828 Roy formed the Brahmo Samaj (Society of Brahma), a Hindu reformist sect that utilized Unitarian and other liberal Christian elements in its beliefs. The Brahmo Samaj was to play an important part, later in the century, as a Hindu movement of reform.

In 1829 Roy journeyed to England as the unofficial representative of the titular king of Delhi. The king of Delhi granted him the title of raja, though it was unrecognized by the British. Roy was well received in England, especially by Unitarians there and by King William IV . Roy died of a fever while in the care of Unitarian friends at Bristol, where he was buried.

Roy’s importance in modern Indian history rests partly upon the broad scope of his social vision and the striking modernity of his thought. He was a tireless social reformer, yet he also revived interest in the ethical principles of the Vedanta school as a counterpoise to the Western assault on Indian culture. In his textbooks and treatises he contributed to the popularization of the Bengali language , while at the same time he was the first Indian to apply to the Indian environment the fundamental social and political ideas of the French and American revolutions.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Born: August 14, 1774

Place of Birth: Radhanagar village, Hoogly district, Bengal Presidency (now West Bengal)

Parents: Ramakanta Roy (Father) and Tarini Devi (Mother)

Spouse: Uma Devi (3rd wife)

Children: Radhaprasad and Ramaprasad

Education: Persian and Urdu in Patna; Sanskrit in Varanasi; English in Kolkata 

Movement: Bengal Renaissance 

Religious Views: Hinduism (early life) and Brahmoism (later in life)

Publications: Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidinor A Gift to Monotheists (1905), Vedanta (1815), Ishopanishad (1816), Kathopanishad (1817), Moonduk Upanishad (1819), The Precepts of Jesus - Guide to Peace and Happiness (1820), Sambad Kaumudi - a Bengali newspaper (1821), Mirat-ul-Akbar - Persian journal (1822), Gaudiya Vyakaran (1826), Brahmapasona (1828), Brahmasangeet (1829) and The Universal Religion (1829). 

Death: September 27, 1833

Place of death: Bristol, England

Memorial: Mausoleum at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, England

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is considered as the pioneer of modern Indian Renaissance for the remarkable reforms he brought in the 18th and 19th century India. Among his efforts, the abolition of the brutal and inhuman Sati Pratha was the most prominent. His efforts were also instrumental in eradicating the purdah system and child marriage. In 1828, Ram Mohan Roy formed the Brahmo Samaj, uniting the Bhramos in Calcutta, a group of people, who had no faith in idol-worship and were against the caste restrictions. The title 'Raja' was bestowed upon him by the Mughal emperor Akbar II, in 1831. Roy visited England as an ambassador of the Mughal King to ensure that Bentick's regulation banning the practice of Sati was not overturned. He died of meningitis in 1833 while residing in Bristol, England.

Early Life and Education

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on August 14, 1774 to Ramakanta Roy and Tarini Devi in Radhanagar village of Hoogly district, Bengal Presidency. His father was a wealthy Brahmin and orthodox individual, and strictly followed religious duties. At the age of 14 Ram Mohan expressed his desire to become a monk, but his mother vehemently opposed the idea and he dropped it.

Following the traditions of the time, Ram Mohan had a child marriage at age nine but his first wife died soon after the marriage. He was married for a second time at ten and had two sons from the marriage. After the death of his second wife in 1826, he married for a third time and his third wife outlived him. 

Though his father Ramakanto was very orthodox but wanted his son to pursue higher education. He got Bengali and Sanskrit education from the village school. After that, Ram Mohan was sent to Patna to study Persian and Arabic in a Madrasa. Persian and Arabic were in high demand at that time as it was still the court language of the Mughal Emperors. He studied the Quran and other Islamic scriptures. Post completion of his studies in Patna, he went to Benares (Kashi) to learn Sanskrit. He mastered the language in no time and began studying scriptures, including the Vedas and Upanishads. He learnt English language at the age of 22. He read the works of philosophers like Euclid and Aristotle which helped shape his spiritual and religious conscience.

Post completion of his education, Rammohan entered the services of the East India Company as a clerk. He worked in the Collectorate of Rangpur, under Mr. John Digby. He was eventually promoted to be a Dewan, a post that referred to a native officer entrusted with the role of collecting revenues.

Social Reforms

During the late 18th century (what was known as the Dark Age), the society in Bengal was burdened with a host of evil customs and regulations. Elaborate rituals and strict moral codes were enforced which were largely modified, and badly interpreted ancient traditions. Practices like child marriage (Gouridaan), polygamy and Sati were prevalent that affected women in the society. The most brutal among these customs was the Sati Pratha. The custom involved self-immolation of widows at their husband’s funeral pyre. While the custom in its original form gave choice to the women to do so, it gradually evolved to be a mandatory custom especially for Brahmin and higher caste families. Young girls were married to much older men, in return for dowry, so that these men could have the supposed karmic benefits from their wives’ sacrifice as Sati. More often than not the women did not volunteer for such brutality and had to be forced or even drugged to comply.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was abhorred by this cruel practice and he raised his voice against it. He spoke freely and took his views to the higher ups in the East India Company. His passionate reasoning and calm perseverance filtered through the ranks and ultimately reached the Governor General Lord William Bentinck. Lord Bentinck sympathised with Roy’s sentiments and intentions and amid much outcry from the orthodox religious community, the Bengal Sati Regulation or Regulation XVII, A. D. 1829 of the Bengal Code was passed. The act prohibited the practice of Sati Daha in Bengal Province, and any individual caught practicing it would face prosecution. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s name is thus etched forever as a true benefactor of women not just for helping abolish the custom of Sati, but also raising his voice against child marriage and polygamy, while demanding equal inheritance rights for women. He was also a great opponent of the rigid caste divisions of his time.

Educational Reforms

Ram Mohan Roy was educated in traditional languages like Sanskrit and Persian. He came across English much later in life and learned the language to get better employment with the British. But a voracious reader, he devoured English literature and journals, extracting as much knowledge as he could. He realised that while traditional texts like Vedas, Upanishads and Quran provided him with much reverence for philosophy, his knowledge was lacking in scientific and rational education. He advocated the introduction of an English Education System in the country teaching scientific subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and even Botany. He paved the way to revolutionizing education system in India by establishing Hindu College in 1817 along with David Hare which later went on to become one of the best educational institutions in the country producing some of the best minds in India. His efforts to combine true to the roots theological doctrines along with modern rational lessons saw him establish the Anglo-Vedic School in 1822 followed by the Vedanta College in 1826.

Religious Contributions

Ram Mohan Roy vehemently opposed the unnecessary ceremonialism and the idolatry advocate by priests. He had studied religious scriptures of different religions and advocated the fact that Hindu Scriptures like Upanishads upheld the concept of monotheism. This began his quest for a religious revolution to introduce the doctrines of ancient Vedic scriptures true to their essence. He founded the Atmiya Sabha in 1928, nd the first meeting of this new-found religion as held on August 20 that year. The Atmiya Sabha reorganised itself into the Brahma Sabha, a precursor organisation of the Brahmo Samaj. The primary facets of this new movement were monotheism, independence from the scriptures and renouncing the caste system. Brahmo religious practices were stripped bare of the Hindu ceremonialism and were set up following the Christian or Islamic prayer practices. With time, the Brahma Samaj became a strong progressive force to drive social reforms in Bengal, especially women education.

Journalistic Contributions

Ram Mohan Roy was a staunch supporter of free speech and expression. He fought for the rights of vernacular press. He also brought out a newspaper in Persian called 'Miratul- Akhbar' (the Mirror of News) and a Bengali weekly called 'Sambad Kaumudi' (the Moon of Intelligence). In those days, items of news and articles had to be approved by the Government before being published. Ram Mohan protested against this control by arguing that newspapers should be free and that the truth should not be suppressed simply because the government did not like it.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy travelled to England in 1830 to request the Imperial Government to increase the royalty, received by the Mughal Emperor and to ensure that Lord Bentick's Sati Act would not be overturned. During his visit to United Kingdom, Raja Ram Mohan Roy died of meningitis at Stapleton in Bristol on 27 September, 1833. He was buried at the Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol. Recently, the British government has named a street in Bristol as 'Raja Rammohan Way' in the memory of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

Ram Mohan viewed education as a medium to implement social reforms so he came to Calcutta in 1815 and the very next year, started an English College by putting his own savings. He wanted the students to learn the English language and scientific subjects and criticized the government's policy of opening only Sanskrit schools. According to him, Indians would lag behind if they do not get to study modern subjects like Mathematics, Geography and Latin. Government accepted this idea of Ram Mohan and also implemented it but not before his death. Ram Mohan was also the first to give importance to the development of the mother tongue. His 'Gaudiya Byakaran' in Bengali is the best of his prose works. Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra also followed the footsteps of Ram Mohan Roy.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Biography, History and Facts

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, often hailed as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance," was born on May 22, 1772. Check out Raja Ram Mohan Roy Biography, History & Facts

Table of Contents

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a key figure in the 19th-century Indian Renaissance. He was a social reformer, scholar, and thinker who played a crucial role in modernizing India, particularly in areas such as education, women’s rights, and religious reform.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Birth Anniversary

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, often hailed as the “Father of the Indian Renaissance,” was born on May 22, 1772. His contributions to Indian society were immense, ranging from advocating for women’s rights, education reforms, the abolition of the Sati practice, to promoting rationalism and scientific inquiry. His legacy continues to inspire generations in India and beyond.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833) was a prominent Indian social reformer, religious philosopher, and scholar during the Bengal Renaissance. He is widely regarded as the “Father of Modern India” for his groundbreaking contributions to social, religious, and educational reforms in 19th-century India.

Due to the significant improvements, Raja Ram Mohan Roy brought about to India in the 18th and 19th centuries, he is credited with sparking the modern Indian Renaissance. The most notable of his endeavours was the eradication of the cruel and horrific Sati Pratha.

His initiatives also played a crucial role in ending child marriage and the purdah regime. Ram Mohan Roy established the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 to bring together the Calcutta-based Brahmos, a group of people who rejected idol worship and caste limitations. He was given the title “Raja” in 1831 by Akbar II, the Mughal emperor. Roy traveled to England as the Mughal King’s representative to make sure Bentick’s prohibition on the practice of Sati was upheld. While living in Bristol, England, in 1833, he passed away from meningitis.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy History

Ramakanta Roy and Tarini Devi welcomed Raja Ram Mohan Roy into the world on August 14, 1774, at Radhanagar village in the Hooghly district of Bengal Presidency. His father was a well-to-do Brahmin who was very orthodox and adhered to all of his religious obligations. Ram Mohan expressed his desire to become a monk when he was 14 years old, but his mother vehemently opposed the idea, so he abandoned it.

Ram Mohan, who was nine years old at the time, was a kid following the customs of the day, but his first wife passed away soon after. At the age of ten, he wed again, giving birth to two sons. His third wife, whom he married after the passing of his second wife in 1826, lived longer than he did.

Despite being a highly conservative man, Ramakanto encouraged his son to seek higher education. His schooling in Bengali and Sanskrit was received at the village school. Ram Mohan was then dispatched to Patna to enrol in a Madrasa to study Persian and Arabic. As Persian and Arabic were the court tongues of the Mughal Emperors at the time, they were in high demand. He read other Islamic texts as well as the Quran.

He left Patna after completing his schooling to study Sanskrit in Banaras (Kashi). He quickly became fluent in the language and started learning the Vedas and Upanishads, among other scriptures. At the age of 22, he started taking English lessons. He read the writings of philosophers like Euclid and Aristotle, whose works influenced the development of his moral and religious sensibilities.

After finishing his schooling, Rammohan worked as a clerk for the East India Company. Under Mr. John Digby, he was employed by the Rangpur Collectorate. Later on, he was elevated to the position of Dewan, which was reserved for native officers in charge of revenue collection.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Social Reforms

The Bengali civilization was oppressed by a variety of bad practices and laws in the late 18th century (sometimes referred to as the Dark Age). Extensive rituals and strict moral codes that were erroneously interpreted and heavily modified ancient traditions were enforced. Practices that harmed women in society, such as child marriage (Gouridaan), polygamy, and Sati, were common.

The Sati Pratha was the most savage of these traditions. At their husband’s funeral pyre, widows would self-immolate following the tradition. Although the women had the option to participate in the ritual in its original form, it progressively changed to become a must, particularly for Brahmin and higher caste families. Young girls were wed for dowry to much older men so that these men might reap the karmic rewards of their spouses’ Sati sacrifice. The majority of the time, the ladies were compelled to submit to such brutality after being coerced or even drugged to do so.

This horrible behaviour repulsed Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who spoke out against it. He voiced his opinions openly and addressed the East India Company’s top officials. Through the ranks, his persuasive argumentation and composed perseverance eventually got to Governor General Lord William Bentinck. The Bengal Code Regulation XVII, A.D., also referred to as the Bengal Sati Regulation was passed in response to a great deal of opposition from the orthodox religious community and thanks to Lord Bentinck’s sympathy with Roy’s intentions and feelings. The law made it illegal to practice Sati Daha in Bengal Province, and anyone found doing so would be prosecuted.

Thus, Raja Ram Mohan Roy will always be remembered as a genuine benefactor of women who not only worked to end the Sati tradition but also spoke out against polygamy and child marriage and demanded that women have the same inheritance rights as men. He was a fierce opponent of the severe caste divisions that prevailed at the time.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Educational Reforms

Sanskrit and Persian were among the classical languages Ram Mohan Roy studied at school. He first encountered English considerably later in life and picked up the language to improve his work opportunities with the British. But being a voracious reader, he consumed English journals and literature, gleaning all the information he could.

While ancient literature like the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Qur’an had taught him to value philosophy, he had not received a scientific or rational education. He pushed for the establishment of an English-language educational system that would cover maths, physics, chemistry, and even botany among other science topics.

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy played a pivotal role in modernizing India’s education system.
• He established the Anglo-Hindu School in 1822, which combined Indian and Western education, and the Vedanta College in 1826, which offered instruction in both Indian and European philosophy.
• He also championed the study of science and technology, believing it was essential for India’s progress.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Religious Contributions

Ram Mohan Roy was adamantly opposed to the excessive ritualism and idolatry that priests promoted. He examined religious texts from other faiths and argued that Hindu texts like the Upanishads supported the idea of monotheism. He then set out on his mission to bring the principles of the old Vedic scriptures into modern society in their purest form.

In 1928, he established the Atmiya Sabha, and on August 20 of that year, the new religion’s first gathering took place. The Atmiya Sabha changed its name to the Brahma Sabha, a forerunner of the Brahmo Samaj .

The three main tenets of this new movement were monotheism, disassociation from the scriptures, and rejection of the caste system. Brahmo religious rituals were established following Christian or Islamic prayer customs after being completely cleansed of Hindu ceremonialism. With time, the Brahma Samaj developed into a potent force for social change in Bengal, particularly in the area of women’s education.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Legacy

Ram Mohan arrived in Calcutta in 1815 and immediately launched an English College with the help of his savings because he saw education as a tool for enacting social reforms. He opposed the government’s decision to solely open Sanskrit schools, and he wanted the pupils to acquire the English language and scientific topics. He asserted that if Indians are denied the opportunity to learn modern topics like mathematics, geography, and Latin, they will fall behind.

Ram Mohan’s idea was adopted by the government and put into practice, but not before he passed away. Ram Mohan was also the first to emphasize the importance of mother language development. His Bengali “Gaudiya Byakaran” is his best prose composition. Ram Mohan Roy was followed by Bankim Chandra and Rabindranath Tagore .

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Death

To ensure that Lord Bentick’s Sati Act would not be overturned, Raja Ram Mohan Roy travelled to England in 1830. He petitioned the Imperial Government to raise the royalty paid to the Mughal Emperor. Raja Ram Mohan Roy passed away from meningitis on September 27, 1833, in Stapleton, Bristol, while he was visiting the United Kingdom. He was laid to rest in Bristol’s Arnos Vale Cemetery. In honour of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the British government recently named a roadway in Bristol “Raja Rammohan Way.”

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy FAQs

What was raja ram mohan roy famous for.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a brilliant scholar and an original thinker who founded the Brahmo Samaj, one of the first socio-religious reform groups in India. He is referred to as the "Father of Modern India" or the "Father of the Bengal Renaissance" and was a religious and social reformer.

Did Raja Ram Mohan Roy married a widow?

Ram Mohan Roy had three marriages. He lost his first wife young. With his second wife, who passed away in 1824, he had two sons: Radhaprasad in 1800 and Ramaprasad in 1812. The third wife of Roy outlived him.

Was Raja Ram Mohan Roy a freedom fighter?

The founder of the contemporary Indian Renaissance, Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Roy, who was a fierce advocate for the right to free speech and expression, battled for the rights of the local press.

Did Ram Mohan Roy converted to Christianity?

It is also true that Christianity played a significant role in Roy's decision to establish the Brahmo Samaj as a monotheistic religion. That he had converted to the Unitarian branch of Christianity seems to be all but evident. His book "The Precepts of Jesus," which he published, received harsh criticism from Baptist missionaries.

Who stopped sati system in India?

In 1828, Lord William Bentinck was appointed Governor-General of India. To combat various pervasive societal ills like Sati, polygamy, child marriage, and female infanticide, he worked alongside Raja Rammohan Roy. In all of the British Indian territory under the Company's jurisdiction, Lord Bentinck passed a law outlawing Sati.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Biography, History, Education, Books

Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833) was a prominent Indian social reformer, scholar, and advocate for modern education. He played a crucial role in the socio-religious and cultural reforms of 19th-century India. Born in Radhanagar, Bengal (present-day West Bengal, India), Raja Ram Mohan Roy came from a Brahmin family and received a traditional Hindu education.

In this article, We have covered the Biography of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, their History, Education, Works, Books, and many more in Detail.

Let’s dive right in.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Overview

The following is the life overview of Raja Ram Mohan Roy:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a Renaissance pioneer, is among the most memorable Bengali and Indian intellectuals in history. Ram Mohan Roy first emerged in the 18th century, when superstition, poverty, harassment, neglect, and female domination dominated Bengali and Indian society as a whole. The social structure at the time was split up into many races, castes, and religions.

The caste system was also disguised as untouchability. The lifestyle and educational opportunities of women were also impacted by the high and low caste systems. He made a significant contribution to the development of modern civilization by shattering the barriers of caste and conventional society. However, he was also able to bring about a revolutionary shift in India’s educational system and the defense of women’s lives and rights.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Birth

21 May 1772 was Roy’s birthdate. During the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century, he was a prominent social reformer from India. His efforts to promote social and educational reforms, together with his involvement in the fight against numerous social evils that were widespread in the society at the time, have earned him the title of “Father of Modern India” and a lot of publicity. West Bengal, India’s modern-day Bengal Presidency, has the village of Radhanagar in its Hooghly district, where he was born.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born in a Bengali Brahmin family with a rich cultural and intellectual background. He was a prominent social reformer, thinker, who advocated for women’s rights during 19th-century.

In the final years of the eighteenth century, Roy continued his job as a Brahmin scholar in the English courts , started learning Greek and Latin, and started lending money to Englishmen employed by the East India Company in Calcutta. He served as a “ munshi ” (private clerk) to Thomas Woodroffe , the registrar of the Murshidabad Appellate Court, from 1803 to 1815 . Roy left the position and went to work as a collector for the East India Company for John Digby . He calculated that England received almost half of all taxes collected in India. He wrote a large number of books on a variety of topics, including politics and religion, between 1810 and 1820. As the Mughal Empire’s envoy to the United Kingdom in 1830, Rammohan Roy went there to make sure that Lord William Bentinck’s Bengal Sati Regulation , which outlawed the practice of Sati, was upheld. Akbar II, the Mughal Emperor , gave him the title “Raja” in 1831.

Death of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Arriving in Britain on a trip, he was diagnosed with meningitis and died on September 27, 1833 , at Stapleton , northeast of Bristol . At Bristol’s Arnos Vale cemetery, in the south, he was buried . Recently, the British government named a street in Bristol after the well-known reformist.

In southern Bristol, he was laid to rest in the Arnos Vale Cemetery . In honor of the renowned reformist, the British government recently dedicated a street in Bristol.

Ideology of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Here are the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Ideology:

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a proponent of monotheism, emphasizing the worship of a single, formless God.
• He advocated for rationalism and criticized superstitions, idolatry, and rituals that, in his view, deviated from the essence of true spirituality.
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy was deeply committed to social reforms and fought against prevalent social evils.
• He vehemently opposed the caste system, arguing for the equality of all individuals irrespective of their caste or social status.
• One of his major accomplishments was his campaign against the practice of Sati, where widows self-immolate on their husband’s funeral pyre.
• His efforts contributed to the passing of the Sati Regulation Act in 1829, which aimed at eradicating this inhumane practice.
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy advocated for the rights and education of women.
• He opposed practices that subjugated women, such as child marriage and purdah (seclusion of women).
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy played a pivotal role in the formation of the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, later evolving into the Brahmo Samaj.
• The Brahmo Samaj aimed at promoting monotheism, reason, and social reform within the framework of Hinduism.
• He recognized the importance of education in bringing about social change.
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy supported the introduction of Western-style education in India and contributed to the establishment of Hindu College in Calcutta in 1817.
• While advocating for social reforms, Raja Ram Mohan Roy also emphasized the importance of cultural syncretism.
• He sought to reconcile traditional Indian values with the rational and progressive ideas of the West.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Works

One of the principal achievements of Ram Mohan Roy was founding the Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious reform organization seeking to modernize and rationalize Hinduism. While fighting to abolish superstitious beliefs, caste discrimination, and idol worship, the Brahmo Samaj placed a high priority on monotheism and the worship of an immaterial heavenly being.

Writer Ram Mohan Roy was a prolific writer who used his writing to spread his ideals and encourage societal improvements. His writings have been published in Bengali and English as books and essays covering a wide range of topics, including social justice, women’s rights, and religious tolerance.

His attempts to question ingrained Hindu rites and promote social reform were met with opposition from some traditionalist parts of society.

On Rights of Women

• He ran a campaign advocating for women’s rights, such as the ability of widows to marry again and the ability of women to own property.
• He denounced child marriage, polygamy, women’s illiteracy, and widows’ substandard treatment.

On Sati Pratha

• By 1829, Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India at the time, abolished Sati and outlawed polygamy as a result of his efforts
• He founded the Bengali weekly Sambad Kaumudi, which consistently attacked Sati as uncivilized and incompatible with Hindu principles.
• During his campaign, Raja Ram Mohan Roy opposed the caste system, untouchability, superstitions, and alcohol consumption.
• He placed a strong emphasis on modern science and rationalism.
• He battled against what was then thought to be the evils of Hindu society.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Contribution

Raja Ram Mohan Roy had made various contributions in different different fields that had a huge impact on the Indian society. His contributions can be divided into social, religious, educational, and political reforms.

Religious Reformer & Reinterpreting Hinduism

• Unreasonable religious ideas were highlighted in Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s 1803 essay Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhiddin, also titled “a gift to deists.”
• He was against the belief in revelations, prophets, miracles, and other immoral Hindu activities, as well as idolatry.
• He objected to Hinduism because he thought it was polytheistic. According to the Vedas, he was a supporter of monotheistic.
• To combat idolatry, rigid caste systems, pointless rituals, and other social evils, he established the Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta in 1814.
• He disapproved of Christianity’s ritualistic practices and denied that Christ was God’s incarnation. He attempted to separate the miracle narratives from the New Testament’s moral and philosophical lessons in Precepts of Jesus (1820), a work he greatly admired.
• He contributed into Bengali the Vedas and five of the Upanishads.

Social Reformer

In the latter part of the 18th century , sometimes known as the Dark Age , a number of unethical customs and regulations subjugated Bengali civilization. Hugely modified ancient traditions were combined with rigid moral standards and elaborate ceremonies that were misinterpreted. Polygamy, Sati, and child marriage (Gouridaan) were among the prevalent customs that negatively impacted women in society.

• Reformist religious organizations were seen by him as tools for bringing about social and political change.
• He laid the foundation of Brahmo Sabha .

Political Reformer

Freedom & liberty:.

The British constitutional system of government amazed and inspired Roy since it granted the people a great deal of civil liberties . His aim was to provide Indians with the advantages of that form of governance.

Freedom of Press:

He was in favour of India’s free press movement. Following Lord Hastings’ 1819 relaxation of press restrictions, Ram Mohan discovered three journals : The Brahmanical Magazine (1821); Samvad Kaumudi (1821), a Bengali weekly; and Mirat-ul-Akbar, a Persian weekly.

Taxation Reforms:

Roy called for the establishment of minimum rents and denounced the r epressive actions of Bengali zamindars . In addition, he called for tax-free territory to be free of taxes.

He demanded the elimination of the East India Company’s commercial rights as well as a decrease in export taxes on Indian commodities sent overseas.

Administrative reforms:

He insisted on the division of the executive and judicial branches and the Indianization of superior services. He insisted that Europeans and Indians be treated equally.

On the policy of Laissez- fair:

He disagreed with the laissez-faire approach to governance. In his writings, he had made several pleas to the state authorities to take on a variety of social, moral, and cultural duties that did not strictly fall into the “political” category. In addition to providing equal protection for the lives of men and women, he wanted the state to outlaw deplorable practices like Sati, safeguard tenants from abusive landlords , arrange for liberal and practical education, and work towards the establishment of a new social order founded on the values of liberty, equality, fraternity, and social justice.

Educational Reformer

• Roy made significant contributions to educating his people about the advantages of a modern education. While Roy’s English school taught Voltaire’s philosophy and mechanics, he backed David Hare’s efforts to build the Hindu College in 1817.
• His Vedanta institution was founded in 1825 and offered courses in Western social and scientific sciences as well as Indian knowledge.

Influences that shaped him

In addition to Bengali and Sanskrit, Roy was fluent in seventeen others widely spoken languages, including Arabic , Persian, Hebrew, Greek , and Latin . Because of his fluency in so many languages, Roy was exposed to a wide range of intellectual, religious, and cultural experiences.

He did extensive research on Islam. Sufi poets such as Saddi and Haafiz left a lasting impression on Roy. Roy was captivated by the Quaranic idea of Tauhid, or the Unity of God.

Roy was therefore extremely troubled when he looked at the Hindu religious scriptures and practices in this light. He saw idolatry, polytheism, and illogical superstitions as completely abhorrent. He made the decision to fight these age-old evils.

Ram Mohan, a Sanskrit scholar, was inspired to rid traditional Hinduism of its obscurantist components since he had thoroughly researched Hindu scriptures.

Roy has also studied the Dhamma teachings of the Buddha. I t is reported that he arrived in Tibet during his travels. He was distressed to see how openly the Buddhist precepts were being broken and how idolatry, which had no place in Lord Buddha’s Dhamma, had gained acceptance. He was a harsh critic of the methods.

Roy was as much of an admirer of the Bible as he was of the Quran and the Vedanta. Many of his critics believed that Roy’s Brahmo Samaj had taken two key elements from Christianity: the practice of communal prayer and the rejection of idolatry. Roy faced accusations of converting Hindustan to Christianity through superstition.

Interesting Facts Raja Ram Mohan Roy

The first weekly newspaper published in Bengali and the first newspaper published in an Indian language were both founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. His groundbreaking journalism endeavors attempted to inform Indians about a broad spectrum of topics. His journal , Sambad Koumudi , aided in the formation of public opinion on matters pertaining to everyday life in British India. Roy began publishing the Persian periodical Mirat-ul-Akbar i n 1822.

To disseminate his Hindu monotheistic ideas, Roy founded the Vedanta College . He championed the theory of the pure ethical Vedanta school.

He promoted subjects like Mathematics, Geography and Latin which, he felt, were necessary to help the Indians keep pace with the rest of the world.

Roy was referred to be the “ Father of Modern India ” by Gopal Krishna Gokhale. He is regarded by many historians as one of the pioneers of the Indian Renaissance. He did not follow the outdated customs of his time.

Brahmo Samaj

Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj (Society of Brahma) in August 1828. This Hindu reformer religion blended parts of liberal Christianity and Unitarianism into its doctrine. The Brahmo Samaj would go on to become a major force in the next century’s Hindu reform movement.

Roy visited England in 1829 as the unofficial envoy of the Delhi ruler, who bestowed upon him the title of Raja, a title that the British refused to acknowledge. In England, Roy was well received, especially by King William IV and Unitarians. Sadly, Roy passed away from a fever in Bristol while being cared for by Unitarian friends, where he was buried.

Roy’s progressive beliefs and wide-ranging social vision make him a significant figure in contemporary Indian history. He was a steadfast social reformer who, in opposition to the Western invasion of Indian culture, revived interest in the moral precepts of the Vedanta school. Roy became the first Indian to adapt the core social and political concepts of the French and American revolutions to the Indian setting through his textbooks and treatises, which also helped popularize Bengali. His legacy lives on in India as a representation of progressive ideas and social change.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Literary Work

Here are the literary Works of Raja Ram Mohan Roy:

FAQs on Raja Ram Mohan Roy

What was raja ram mohan roy famous for.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy the founder of the Brahmo Samaj (one of the first Indian socio-religious reform movements) was a great scholar and an independent thinker. He was a religious and social reformer and is known as the ‘Father of Modern India’ or ‘Father of the Bengal Renaissance’.

What was Raja Ram Mohan Roy religious reform?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy concluded that religious reform is both social reform and political modernization. Ram Mohan believed that each sinner must make restitution for his sins and it is to be done through self-purification and repentance and not through sacrifices and rituals.

Why was Raja Ram Mohan Roy buried?

Ram Mohan Roy was originally buried on 18 October 1833, in the grounds of Stapleton Grove, where he had lived as an ambassador of the Mughal Empire and died of meningitis on 27 September 1833. Nine years later he was reburied on 29 May 1843 in a grave at the new Arnos Vale Cemetery, in Brislington, East Bristol.

What was Raja Ram Mohan Roy political views?

He wanted a theology liberation and freedom. Raja Ram Mohan Roy believed that in his time, Indians could derive the advantages of the liberal spirit of British public or political life if the laws for India were made by the British Parliament rather than by an Indian Legislative Council located on Indian soil.

Who gave Raja title to Ram Mohan Roy?

The correct answer is Mughal Emperor Akbar II. Akbar II gave the title of Raja to Ram Mohan Roy. Akbar II was Mughal Emperor from 1806-1837.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy – Indian Social Reformer

This article talks about Raja Ram Mohan Roy – Indian Social Reformer.  Download Raja Ram Mohan Roy notes PDF from the link given below.

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Learn more about Raja Ram Mohan Roy through the video given below. His biography, achievements and contribution in various aspects of the country have been explained in detail by the BYJU’S expert:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Essay

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772 – 1833) – Key Facts

• Born in Radhanagar, Hooghly District, Bengal Presidency in May 1772 into an orthodox Bengali Hindu family.
• Education of Ram Mohan – He was sent to Patna for higher studies where he studied Persian and Arabic. He read the Quran, the Arabic translation of the works of Plato and Aristotle and the works of Sufi mystic poets. By the age of fifteen, Raja Rammohun Roy had learnt Bangla, Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit. He also knew Hindi and English.
• He went to Varanasi and studied the Vedas, the Upanishads and Hindu philosophy deeply.
• He studied Christianity and Islam as well.
•  At the age of sixteen, he wrote a rational critique of Hindu idol worship.
• From 1809 to 1814, he served in the Revenue Department of the East India Company also worked as a personal Diwan to Woodforde and Digby.
• From 1814 onwards he devoted his life to religious, social and political reforms.
• In his address, entitled ‘Inaugurator of the Modern Age in India,’ Tagore referred to Ram Mohan as ‘a luminous star in the firmament of Indian history’.
• He visited England as an ambassador of the Mughal king Akbar Shah II (father of Bahadur Shah) where he died of a disease. He died in September 1833 in Bristol, England.
• He was given the title ‘Raja’ by the Mughal Emperor of Delhi, Akbar II whose grievances he presented before the British king. Check out the list of Mughal Emperors on the linked page.

Aspirants would find this topic very helpful while preparing for the IAS Exam .

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Contribution

Go through a few relevant links for assistance in preparation –

• Bengal Sati Regulation
• Land Revenue under British Rule
• Indian Education System During British Rule
• Constitutional Experiments under British Rule

It is because of his contributions in social, religious, political, economic and educational spheres that Raja Ram Mohan Roy is known as the ‘Father of Modern India’ and ‘Father of Indian Renaissance’.

Brahmo Samaj

Ideologies of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy – Literary Work

Frequently Asked Questions about Raja Rammohan Roy

What is the contribution of raja ram mohan roy, what were the social reforms of raja rammohan roy.

Roy founded the Atmiya Sabha and the Unitarian Community to fight social evils, and to propagate social and educational reforms in India. He was the man who fought against superstitions, a pioneer in Indian education, and a trendsetter in Bengali Prose and Indian press.

• Crusaded against Hindu customs such as sati, polygamy, child marriage and the caste system.
• Demanded property inheritance rights for women.
• In 1828, he set up the Brahmo Sabha a movement of reformist Bengali Brahmins to fight against social evils.

NCERT notes on important topics and prominent personalities will be helpful for the UPSC civil services exam . These notes will also assist in the preparation of other competitive exams like banking PO, SSC, state civil services exams and so on.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy Biography, Birth, Works, History, Death

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Biography: Discover the life, contributions, and legacy of the Indian social reformer and founder of Brahmo Samaj.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Biography

Ram Mohan Roy , often referred to as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, was not only an Indian religious leader but also a social reformer, writer, and scholar who played a crucial role in the Bengal Renaissance and the Indian social reform movement during the 19th century. Born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar, Bengal Presidency (present-day West Bengal, India), Ram Mohan Roy was influenced by the ideas of the European Enlightenment and sought to challenge traditional Hindu practices and promote progressive ideals. He advocated for education, women’s rights, widow remarriage, and the abolition of sati (the practice of a widow self-immolating on her husband’s funeral pyre).

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Birth

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on May 22, 1772. He was a prominent Indian social reformer who played a significant role in the 19th-century Bengal Renaissance. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is often considered the “Father of Modern India” for his efforts in advocating for social and educational reforms, as well as his campaign against various social evils prevalent in the society at that time. He was born in the village of Radhanagar in the Hooghly district of Bengal Presidency, which is present-day West Bengal, India.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy Early Life

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born into a prosperous Brahmin family in British-ruled Bengal, but details about his early life and education remain scarce. However, it is known that he developed unconventional religious beliefs at a young age. During his youth, he traveled extensively outside of Bengal and acquired proficiency in several languages, including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English, Bengali, and Hindi.

Roy supported himself through various means such as moneylending, managing his small estates, and speculating in British East India Company bonds. His association with John Digby, a lower company official, exposed him to Western culture and literature, and he worked as Digby’s assistant for a period.

Throughout this time, Roy continued his religious studies and expressed his criticisms of Indian superstitions and religious divisions. He advocated for a monotheistic form of Hinduism that emphasized reason and worship of the Supreme God. Roy translated and summarized ancient Sanskrit texts, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads, into Bengali, Hindi, and English. In recognition of his translations, he was elected to an honorary membership in the French Société Asiatique in 1824.

In 1815, Roy established the Atmiya-Sabha (Friendly Society) to promote his doctrines of monotheistic Hinduism. He also delved into Christianity, learning Hebrew and Greek to study the Old and New Testaments. In 1820, he published a compilation of ethical teachings from the four Gospels titled “Precepts of Jesus, the Guide to Peace and Happiness.”

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Family

Raja Ram Mohan Roy , often referred to as the “Father of the Indian Renaissance,” was a prominent social reformer, thinker, and advocate for women’s rights in 19th-century India. He hailed from a Bengali Brahmin family with a rich cultural and intellectual background. Here is some information about Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s family:

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy  Father

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar village, which is now in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, India. His father, Ramkanta Roy, was a Vaishnavite Brahmin who held a position as a revenue collector in the Mughal administration.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy  Mother

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s mother, Tarinidevi, was a pious and devout lady. Not much is known about her in detail, as historical records focus primarily on Raja Ram Mohan Roy himself and his contributions.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy  Wife and Children

Ram Mohan Roy experienced three marriages. Unfortunately, his first wife passed away at a young age. He had two sons, Radhaprasad in 1800 and Ramaprasad in 1812, from his second wife, who passed away in 1824. Roy’s third wife survived him.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy Sati Pratha

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s legacy goes beyond abolishing Sati; he was a true champion for women’s rights. He also vocally denounced polygamy and child marriage and advocated for equal inheritance rights for women. Additionally, he fiercely opposed the rigid caste divisions that prevailed during his time. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s contributions continue to be remembered and celebrated as he played a pivotal role in transforming society and safeguarding the rights and dignity of women.

In the late 18th century, a challenging period sometimes called the “Dark Age,” the Bengali civilization faced numerous oppressive practices and laws. These practices often stemmed from misconceptions and alterations of ancient traditions, causing significant harm, especially to women.

One of the prevailing customs was child marriage, known as “Gouridaan.” Young girls were married off to much older men, usually for reasons like dowries or family alliances. This practice denied these girls their right to a normal childhood and education.

Polygamy, the practice of men having multiple wives, was also widespread. This often created unequal power dynamics within households and contributed to the subjugation of women.

However, the most brutal of these traditions was “Sati Pratha.” In this practice, widows were expected to self-immolate on their husband’s funeral pyre. Originally, this ritual was optional for widows, but it later became mandatory, especially for Brahmin and higher caste families. Many widows were forced into this act against their will, often through coercion or drugging, leading to countless unnecessary deaths and immense suffering for women.

One individual who vehemently opposed these horrific customs was Raja Ram Mohan Roy. He courageously spoke out against them and engaged with high-ranking officials of the East India Company to bring about change. His persuasive arguments eventually reached Governor General Lord William Bentinck, leading to the passage of the Bengal Code Regulation XVII, commonly known as the Bengal Sati Regulation. This groundbreaking law made the practice of Sati illegal in the Bengal Province, with strict penalties for those who defied it.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Social and Political Activism

Roy’s focus shifted from religious polemics to social and political activism in 1823 when the British imposed censorship on the Calcutta press. As the founder and editor of two of India’s earliest weekly newspapers, he organized protests against the censorship, advocating for freedom of speech and religion as natural rights.

This marked a turning point in his life, leading him to critique idolatry, superstitions, and the caste system of traditional Hinduism. He vehemently condemned the practice of suttee, the ritual burning of widows, and his writings played a pivotal role in influencing the British East India Governing Council to ban suttee in 1829. Roy’s dedication to social and political causes made a lasting impact on Indian society and set the stage for further reform movements in the country.

Anglo-Hindu School

In 1822, Roy established the Anglo-Hindu School, and four years later, he founded the Vedanta College to promote his Hindu monotheistic doctrines. When the Bengal government proposed a traditional Sanskrit college in 1823, Roy voiced his opposition, arguing that classical Indian literature was insufficient for preparing the youth of Bengal for the demands of modern life. Instead, he advocated for a modern Western curriculum of study. Roy also led a protest against the outdated British legal and revenue administration in India, highlighting the need for reform.

Brahmo Samaj

In August 1828, Roy formed the Brahmo Samaj (Society of Brahma), a Hindu reformist sect that incorporated Unitarian and liberal Christian elements into its beliefs. The Brahmo Samaj would later play a significant role as a Hindu movement of reform in the following century.

In 1829, Roy traveled to England as the unofficial representative of the titular king of Delhi, who granted him the title of Raja, although it was not recognized by the British. Roy received a warm reception in England, particularly among Unitarians and King William IV. Tragically, Roy succumbed to a fever while under the care of Unitarian friends in Bristol, where he was laid to rest.

Roy’s significance in modern Indian history is rooted in the breadth of his social vision and the progressive nature of his ideas. He was an unwavering social reformer, simultaneously rekindling interest in the ethical principles of the Vedanta school to counter the Western assault on Indian culture. Through his textbooks and treatises, Roy contributed to the popularization of the Bengali language while becoming the first Indian to apply the fundamental social and political ideas of the French and American revolutions to the Indian context. His legacy endures as a symbol of progressive thought and social reform in India.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Works

One of Ram Mohan Roy’s notable contributions was the formation of the Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious reform movement that sought to rationalize and modernize Hinduism. The Brahmo Samaj aimed to eliminate idol worship, caste discrimination, and superstitious beliefs, while emphasizing monotheism and the worship of a formless divine entity.

Ram Mohan Roy was a prolific writer and used his literary works to spread his ideas and advocate for social reforms. He published several books and articles in both English and Bengali, addressing a wide range of topics, including religious tolerance, women’s rights, and social justice.

His efforts to promote social reforms and challenge orthodox Hindu practices faced opposition from conservative sections of society. However, Ram Mohan Roy’s ideas and activism laid the foundation for future social and religious movements in India.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Facts

• Ram Mohan Roy was born in May 1772 in Radhanagar, Hooghly District, Bengal Presidency, into an orthodox Bengali Hindu family. His early education took him to Patna, where he studied Persian and Arabic. During this time, he delved into the Quran, the Arabic translations of the works of Plato and Aristotle, and the writings of Sufi mystic poets. By the age of fifteen, Raja Rammohun Roy had acquired proficiency in Bengali, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Hindi, and English.
• Seeking further knowledge, he traveled to Varanasi (then known as Benares) and immersed himself in the study of the Vedas, Upanishads, and Hindu philosophy. In his quest for understanding, he also explored Christianity and Islam. At a young age, he penned a rational critique of Hindu idol worship, showcasing his early intellectual pursuits.
• Between 1809 and 1814, Roy served in the Revenue Department of the East India Company and worked as a personal Diwan to Woodforde and Digby. However, from 1814 onwards, he dedicated his life to religious, social, and political reforms in India.
• Regarded as a luminary in Indian history, Roy’s influence extended beyond national borders. He visited England as an ambassador of the Mughal king Akbar Shah II, the father of Bahadur Shah. It was during this time that he contracted an illness and passed away in September 1833 in Bristol, England.
• Recognizing his significant contributions, the Mughal Emperor of Delhi, Akbar II, conferred upon him the title of “Raja” and entrusted him with the responsibility of presenting his grievances to the British king. Ram Mohan Roy’s life and legacy continue to inspire and illuminate the path of reform in India.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Contribution

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, often hailed as the “Father of Modern India,” made significant contributions in various fields that had a profound impact on Indian society. His contributions can be categorized into social, religious, educational, and political reforms.

1. Social Reforms:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy tirelessly worked towards eradicating social evils and promoting social equality. He vehemently opposed practices like Sati, child marriage, and polygamy. His efforts played a crucial role in the abolition of Sati and the passage of laws that protected the rights of widows and women.

2. Religious Reforms:

Roy sought to promote a rational and inclusive understanding of religion. He founded the Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious reform movement that advocated for monotheism, denounced idol worship, and emphasized the importance of reason and morality in religious practices. The Brahmo Samaj laid the foundation for religious reform movements in India.

3. Educational Reforms:

Recognizing the significance of education for social progress, Raja Ram Mohan Roy played a key role in the establishment of educational institutions. He founded the Hindu College in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and advocated for the adoption of Western education alongside traditional Indian knowledge. His efforts paved the way for modern education in India.

4. Political Reforms:

Roy was a staunch advocate for political reforms and individual rights. He voiced his concerns against the British colonial administration and called for greater participation of Indians in the governance of their country. He advocated for the rule of law, freedom of speech, and civil liberties.

5. Language and Literature:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a prolific writer and a polyglot. He contributed to the development of modern Indian languages, especially Bengali, through his writings and translations. He translated and popularized ancient Indian texts, making them accessible to a wider audience.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s contributions were far-reaching and shaped the intellectual and social fabric of India. His progressive ideas, emphasis on education, and advocacy for social justice continue to inspire generations and have left an indelible mark on India’s cultural, religious, and political landscape.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Brahmo Samaj

The Brahmo Samaj is a socio-religious reform movement that emerged in 19th-century India, primarily in Bengal. It was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Debendranath Tagore in 1828. The objective of the Brahmo Samaj was to reform and modernize Hinduism by advocating for monotheism, social equality, and the rejection of idol worship and other religious rituals considered to be superstitious.

Worship of Formless Supreme Being

The Brahmo Samaj emphasized the worship of the formless Supreme Being and promoted the idea of universal brotherhood. It sought to harmonize religion and reason, emphasizing the importance of ethical living and rational thinking. The movement also promoted the values of social reform, including the abolition of practices like Sati (the immolation of widows) and child marriage. Son of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, played a pivotal role in shaping the Brahmo Samaj after the death of his father. He introduced a new concept called “Adi Dharma,” which emphasized the worship of the Supreme Being without any distinction of caste or creed.

The Brahmo Samaj attracted intellectuals, social reformers, and progressive thinkers of the time. It became a platform for discussing and addressing various social issues prevalent in Indian society, such as women’s rights, education, and the caste system. The movement also emphasized the importance of education and founded educational institutions like the Brahmo Boys’ School and the Brahmo Girls’ School.

The Brahmo Samaj had a significant impact on the social and religious landscape of India. It paved the way for the emergence of other reform movements and contributed to the growth of religious and social liberalism in the country. The principles and ideals of the Brahmo Samaj influenced many prominent leaders and thinkers, including Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda.

Although the Brahmo Samaj fragmented into various branches and factions over time, it continues to exist today, with different groups carrying forward the ideals of social reform and rational spirituality. The movement’s legacy lies in its progressive ideas, emphasis on social equality, and promotion of a rational and inclusive approach to religion.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Ideologies

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a prominent social and religious reformer of 19th-century India, was known for his progressive ideologies that aimed to bring about positive changes in society. Some of his key ideologies are as follows:

Monotheism:

Ram Mohan Roy advocated for the belief in a single, formless Supreme Being. He rejected idol worship and emphasized the worship of the abstract, universal God. This ideology aimed to promote a more inclusive and rational approach to religion.

Social Reform:

Ram Mohan Roy was a strong advocate for social reforms and worked towards eradicating social evils prevalent in Indian society. He fought against practices such as Sati (the immolation of widows), child marriage, and the caste system. He believed in the equality of all individuals and worked towards creating a more just and egalitarian society.

Ram Mohan Roy recognized the importance of education in the upliftment of society. He stressed the need for both traditional and modern education. He founded educational institutions and promoted the spread of knowledge to empower individuals and bring about social progress.

Women’s Rights:

Ram Mohan Roy played a significant role in advocating for women’s rights. He condemned the practice of Sati and fought for the rights and welfare of widows. He believed in providing equal opportunities and rights to women and worked towards their empowerment. Ram Mohan Roy recognized the urgent need for the liberation of women from oppressive practices such as illiteracy, Sati (the immolation of widows), purdah (seclusion of women), and child marriage. He saw Sati as a gross violation of human and social values, symbolizing the moral degradation of a society.

Rationalism and Enlightenment:

Ram Mohan Roy was influenced by Western philosophy and enlightenment ideals. He believed in the power of reason, rational thinking, and scientific temper. He sought to reconcile reason and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and logical inquiry.

Religious Tolerance:

Ram Mohan Roy emphasized the importance of religious tolerance and harmony. He promoted interfaith dialogue and believed in the coexistence of different religious beliefs. He fought against religious fanaticism and advocated for a more inclusive and tolerant society. One of his primary concerns was the deteriorating religious and social conditions in Bengal, his homeland.

He vehemently opposed the caste system and championed the idea of social equality for all human beings. Ram Mohan Roy found inspiration in Islamic monotheism and believed that monotheism offered a universal model for humanity. He argued that monotheism was also the fundamental message of Vedanta, seeking to correct the polytheism of orthodox Hinduism and the trinitarianism of Christianity.

These ideologies of Raja Ram Mohan Roy had a profound impact on the social, cultural, and religious fabric of India. His progressive ideas laid the foundation for future reform movements and contributed to the overall transformation of Indian society. His ideologies continue to inspire and guide individuals in their pursuit of a more just, enlightened, and inclusive world.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Literary Work

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a distinguished social and religious reformer of 19th-century India, made significant contributions not only through his reformist ideologies but also through his literary works. He used the power of the written word to convey his ideas, advocate for social reforms, and challenge orthodox beliefs. Some of his notable literary works include:

• “Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin” (A Gift to Monotheists): This Persian treatise, written in 1803, criticized the polytheistic practices within Hinduism and called for a monotheistic form of worship. It presented arguments against idol worship and emphasized the worship of the one Supreme God.
• “Precepts of Jesus, the Guide to Peace and Happiness”: Published in 1820, this work compiled the ethical teachings of Jesus Christ from the Gospels. Ram Mohan Roy aimed to present the moral principles of Christianity in a concise and accessible manner, reflecting his interest in comparative religion.
• “Gift to Hindus”: Written in Bengali in 1829, this work sought to reform Hindu society by addressing prevalent social practices such as Sati, child marriage, and caste discrimination. It called for a return to the original teachings of Hinduism and emphasized the need for social equality and justice.
• “Translation of the Vedanta”: Ram Mohan Roy translated the ancient Sanskrit texts of the Upanishads into Bengali, Hindi, and English. These translations aimed to make the philosophical concepts and spiritual teachings of the Upanishads more accessible to a wider audience.
• Newspapers and Journals: Ram Mohan Roy founded and contributed to various newspapers and journals, including “Mirat-ul-Akbar” and “Sambad Kaumudi.” Through these publications, he disseminated his reformist ideas, critiqued social and political issues, and advocated for religious and educational reforms.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Death

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a prominent Indian social reformer and intellectual, passed away on September 27, 1833. He was born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar village, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in West Bengal, India). Raja Ram Mohan Roy is considered one of the key figures of the Bengal Renaissance and played a significant role in the social, cultural, and religious reforms in India during the early 19th century. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s death was a significant loss to the social reform movements in India.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Legacy

Ram Mohan Roy’s legacy as a religious leader and social reformer remains significant in India’s history. His progressive ideas, emphasis on education, and efforts to eradicate social evils have inspired generations of thinkers, reformers, and activists in their quest for a more inclusive and progressive society.  

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Biography of Raja Ram Mohan Roy (Social Reformer) – Life, Works, Contribution

Introduction

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (also Rammohan Roy) was a great  social and religious reformers.  At a time when the West knew very little about India, Ram Mohan Roy worked as a link between the East and the West.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy stands among the Indian reformers as a towering personality. With him we usher in a new era filled with the zeal of reforms and modern activities in all the fields, especially those of social, educational and political reforms. In the true sense of the term, he was the maker of modern India with his enlightened ideas.

The task of Raja Ram Monan Roy as a religious and social reformer was not an easy one. His friends were very few, and the value of his work was not acknowledged for a long time. But he was a man of self-confidence and firm determination. He was confident that a day would arrive when his endeavors would ultimately be recognized with gratitude. Though Ram Mohan Roy remained constantly steadfast in his conviction, and it went against his grain to compromise on fundamentals, he was completely free from personal bitterness in controversies, resulting from social and religious reforms which he sought to bring about in the country.

There had been many social reformers before him, who tried to reform the religious and social life of India to grow further. But none of them had such clear vision for the future of India. The  contribution of Raja Ram Mohan Roy  can never be denied.

His Life, Works and social Reforms

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on 22 nd  May, 1772. His father, Ramakanta Roy, was an orthodox Hindu Brahmin strictly following the Sastras, and his mother, Phulthakurani, was a woman of intelligence and considerable firmness of character. Both father and mother played a dominant role in molding the character of Ram Mohan Roy.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy visited many places. At the end of some years’ wandering, Ram Mohan Roy went to Varanasi where he studied Sanskrit. Within a few years, he had all the scriptures at his finger-tips, particularly the Upanishads and the Gita.

His knowledge of ancient religious, secular and philosophical literature was so comprehensive that he could easily enter into polemical discussions with the pundits. He attempted to show the general unity of thought among mankind regarding the existence of One Being. The differences among them appear only when they start giving peculiar attributes to that Being.

He tried to bring out the fact that faith in the unity of Reality and recognition of human values are the cardinal principles of all religions. Subsequently, the acceptance of the fundamental unity of all religions becomes a leading feature of the Indian thought. This is evident in the writings of Vivekananda, Tagore and Radhakrishnan.

Brahmo Samaj

The most important event which brought fame to Ram Mohan Roy was the establishment of Brahmo Samaj in 1828. After the failure of the Unitarian association, the followers of Ram Mohan felt the urgent necessity of establishing an institution solely devoted to Unitarian and monotheistic worship. As a result, the Brahma Sabha, later knows as the Brahmo Samaj, came into being on August 20, 1828. It is clear from the text of the Trust deed of the Sabha that Ram Mohan did not contemplate the Brahma Sabha as an institution of a new religious sect. he wanted the monotheists of all religions to use the premises of the Sabha as their own. He also wished this institution to be a meeting ground of the people of all religious denominations who believed in one God, who is formless, eternal, unsearchable and immutable.

Ram Mohan Roy called himself a follower of the Universal Religion. He told one of his friends that after his death the Hindus would claim him as their own, the Muslims would do the same, and as also the Christians, but he belonged to no sect as he was the devotee of Universal religion.

The ideas of the Brahmo Samaj gradually spread far beyond Bengal and created an atmosphere of liberalism, rationalism and modernity which greatly influenced Indian thought. But, the fact is, the emergence of a ‘new religion’ in India – was impossible of realization.

However, the philosophy of Brahmo Samaj left its decisive influence on the Indian thought. Today its followers are few in number, but that is because the needs that necessitated its origin and growth have been fulfilled. Since its mission has been accomplished during the course of time through the efforts of many distinguished persons and devout social reformers, it has now lost its importance. But about a century back it did a commendable service to the Hindu society and to the country at large.

Contribution of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

The contributions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy are as follows:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy as a religious reformer:

Raja Ram Mohan’s knowledge of various scriptures led him to believe that India’s regeneration was possible by a synthesis of what was good of Indian culture with what was best in Western culture. This belief inspired him to reform Hindu religion. In 1815, he founded ‘Atmiya Sabha’ for propagating the monotheistic ideas of Hindu scriptures. In 1828, he founded the ‘Brahmo Sabha’ to preach monotheism. His purpose was to preach monotheism based on the Vedanta, not to establish a new sect.

Modernizer as an educational reformer

Ram Mohan Roy looked upon western education as a major instrument of modernization of India. He felt that the Indians would fail to build a progressive modern society if they neglected the cultivation of western education. In his letter to Lord Amherst in 1823, he pleaded for English as the medium of instruction. He maintained an English school in Calcutta.

As a social reformer

Humanism and rationalism inspired Ram Mohan Roy to reform the society. He worked for many years for the abolition of Sati. He roused public opinion on the question and submitted petitions to the government. He held, ‘The first – object of my heart is the benefit of the Hindus’. So, he issued legislation in 1829 prohibiting the burning Hindu widows.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s political ideas

Ram Mohan was the first political thinker of modern India. He preferred constitutional monarchy. He fought for freedom of press. He believed in both nationalism and internationalism.

As a Progressive and Liberal Thinker

The term ‘modernization’ indicates the introduction of progressive and dynamic ideas in the society. During the 18 th  and 19 th  centuries, new morals and manners emerged from intellectual revolution. The Bengal was pioneer in welcoming them and Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the man who inaugurated the Modern Age in India.

Ram Mohan Roy thus dealt with various problems of his day and led the country to progress and modernity. He was only the pioneer of all the progressive movements in India, but was also responsible for the constitutional agitation in the country. He has been called the father of modern India, the first earnest-minded investigator of the science of comparative religion, one of the greatest reformers of his time and the harbinger of the idea of universal humanism.

If we follow the right line of his development we shall find that he led the way from the Orientalism of the past towards a civilization which is neither western nor eastern, but something vastly larger and nobler than both.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy died at Stapleton Hill near Bristol (England) on the 27 th  September, 1833.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy Biography

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a famous social reformer known as the ‘Maker of Modern India’. During the socio-religious reform movements, he founded ‘Brahmo-Samaj’ and became renowned as a great scholar and brilliant thinker. Due to his efforts, Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah gave him the title of ‘Raja’. During the socio-religious reform movement, the ‘Brahmo Samaj’ played to bring social reforms and inform people about religious dogmas. He even published the first book, Tofat-ul-Mohiddin, in 1803, which criticized idol worship. Raja Ram Mohan questioned political discrimination and opposed the Bengal Zamindars’ powers. He fought against British trading rights and settled in Kolkata in 1814.

He was born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar, West Bengal. His father, Ramkanto Roy, and his mother, Tarini. Ramkanto Roy had Vaishnavite and mother Shaivite background. Even though they taught religious uniformity to Ram Mohan Roy, this made his religious tolerance. In the beginning, he studied primary Education at a local school. At the very early age of 15, he learned Sanskrit, Arabic, Bangla and Persian languages. Learning many languages early made him a brilliant student in the village. From childhood, he wanted to reform the blind faiths in the Hindu Religion.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Sati

He rejected the caste divisions among the people and intensely agitated against the inhuman custom of women becoming Sati. Therefore the orthodox Hindu families petitioned in British Parliament to approve the hold of Sati against the Ban of Sati by William Bentinck. Then Raja Ram Mohan Roy also kept the counter-petition in favour of Bentinck’s action. During his life, he fought for women’s rights and encouraged widow remarriage. This fight is also famous as Raja Ram Mohan Roy Sati. As a result, it considerably impacted Indian society to change women’s lives. He founded Atmiya Sabha in 1815, and the members met weekly and discussed Hindu principles. Later in 1828, Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the ‘Brahmo Samaj’, which made a lot of efforts to enlighten the fundamental concept of religion among the people.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s Achievements

In Hinduism, people believe in superstitions; they move very blindly daily. Roy tried to change the attitude of the Hindu people. He opposed the worship of Idol Gods and meaningless religious rituals. Raja Ram exhorted Hindus that all holy books of Hinduism preached the worship of one God. The reformer opposed not only the rational approach of Hindus but also Christianity. He also didn’t accept the blindfolded beliefs of Christianity. Raja Ram Mohan Roy established many libraries to bring students awareness about society and various social issues. He worked with British officials to get reforms to the Academies at the college level.

Educational Reforms:

In Modern Indian History, He tried to bring reforms to Education. He intended that modern Education could change the entire attitude of Hindu society. So he cooperated with David Hare, who wanted to introduce the Western Education system in India. In their later years, he founded the famous Hindu College in Kolkata. He maintained his first English School in Kolkata at his own cost of money. Roy is interested to know the international events. Raja Ram openly discusses his opinions on liberty, democracy and nationalism, injustice and oppression. In those days, all people and individual dignities respect his attitude and beliefs.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy as a Pioneer of Indian Liberalism

Like Locke, Grotius, and Thomas Paine, Raja Ram Mohan Roy accepted the immutable sanctity of natural rights. He believed not only in the natural rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of property, but also championed the moral rights of the individuals. His theory of rights, however, was constructed in the prevailing Indian framework of common social good (lokasamgraha), and Indian liberalism.

Thus, although an exponent individualist theory of rights and freedom, he also advocated state legislation for social reform and for educational reconstruction. Hence, to the concept of natural rights, he added the notions of social utility and human welfare to the tenets of Indian Liberalism.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Liberty

Raja Ram Mohan Roy had a passionate attachment to the concept of liberty. He urged the necessity of personal freedom and in his private dialogues also referred to the idea of national emancipation. Liberty is the priceless possession of a human being and, hence, Raja Ram Mohan Roy can be portrayed as a magnificent champion of personal freedom.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Indian Liberalism

Raja Ram Mohan Roy had a keen appreciation of the uncompromising freedom of the creative spirit. He wanted his countrymen to inculcate a sturdy and robust sense of self-confidence, and was a crusader against unreason and superstition. He admired the English nation which not only enjoyed civil and political liberty but was interested in promoting freedom, social happiness and rationalism in the areas where their influence extended.

Liberalism and Religion

Raja Ram Mohan Roy had begun with the study of comparative religion but later came to visualize the necessity of a universal religion; but even the concept of a universal religion was not the final embodiment of his thought process. Finally, the formulated the scheme of a fundamental spiritual synthesis stressing the unity of religious experience based on the worship of a monotheistic God. Thus he carried forward the tradition of social and spiritual synthesis stressed by Kabir, Guru Nanak, Tukaram and other saints.

Final Thoughts on Raja Ram Mohan Roy

His exploration of religion culminated in a spiritual synthesis, emphasizing the worship of a monotheistic God. He promoted unity in religious experiences, reflecting the traditions of saints like Kabir and Guru Nanak.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s legacy as a humanist, advocate of rights, and promoter of freedom and unity continues to influence philosophical and social thought. His vision underscores the importance of upholding liberty, fostering cooperation, and embracing the unity of the human experience in a diverse world.

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Short Essay on Raja Ram Mohan Roy [100, 200, 400 Words] With PDF

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a great social reformer of 19th century India. He had many contributions to modernizing Indian Society. In this session today, we will discuss how to write an essay on the life of the ‘First Modern Man of India’: Raja Ram Mohan Roy. 

Table of Contents

• Short Essay on Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 100 Words 
• Short Essay on Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 200 Words 
• Short Essay on Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 400 Words 

Short Essay on Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 100 Words

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was an Indian socio-religious reformer. He was born on 22nd May 1772 in Bengal Presidency, India. Although he was born into a family of orthodox Hindu Brahmins, Ram Mohan Roy was a progressive man who was against social bigotry, orthodox Hindu rituals, and superstitions. He fought against social evils like Sati, child marriage, polygamy, and the caste system.

He also fought for the women and demanded property inheritance rights for them. He later formed a reformist society called the ‘Brahmo sabha’ to fight against social injustices. Ram Mohan Roy was well-read and knew several different languages. He believed education can modernise society and set up several schools and colleges in Bengal. Raja Ram Mohan Roy died of Meningitis on 27th September 1833 in England. 

Short Essay on Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 200 Words

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a great Indian socio-religious reformer. He was born on 22nd May 1772 in Bengal Presidency, India. Although he was born into a family of orthodox Hindu Brahmins, Ram Mohan Roy was a progressive man who was against social bigotry, orthodox Hindu rituals, and superstitions.

He fought against social evils like Sati, child marriage, polygamy, and the caste system. He also fought for the women and demanded property inheritance rights for them. He strongly opposed Sati, supported the idea that widowed women should be allowed to remarry and that women can individually own property. 

Ram Mohan Roy founded a reformist society called the ‘Brahmo Sabha’ which aimed at fighting against social injustices. He also founded Atmiya Sabha and the Unitarian Community to fight against social evils as well as to propagate social and educational reforms. Ram Mohan Roy was well-read and knew several different languages like Sanskrit, Bengali, Persian, Arabic, English, Latin, and Greek. He believed education can modernise society and bring much-needed changes. With the assistance of his western connections, he set up several schools and colleges in Bengal. He also wrote journals and his most popular journal was the Sambad Kaumudi.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy died of Meningitis on 27th September 1833 in England. He will always be remembered as a great reformer who helped to bring an end to the evil practice of Sati and sought to empower women. 

Short Essay on Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 400 Words

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was one of the greatest Indian socio-religious reformers. He was born on 22nd May 1772 in Bengal Presidency, India. Although he was born into a family of orthodox Hindu Brahmins, Ram Mohan Roy was a progressive man who was against social bigotry, orthodox Hindu rituals, and superstitions.

He fought against social evil practices like Sati, child marriage, polygamy, and the caste system. He also fought for the women and demanded property inheritance rights for them. He strongly opposed Sati and supported the idea that widowed women should be allowed to remarry and that women can individually own property. 

Ram Mohan Roy founded a reformist society called the ‘Brahmo Sabha’ which aimed at fighting against social injustices. He also founded Atmiya Sabha and the Unitarian Community to fight against social evils as well as to propagate social and educational reforms. These institutions played a major role in reforming Indian society. Roy studied the Vedas, Upanishads, and other religious texts.

He revived the pure and ethical principles of the Vedanta school of philosophy, preached the unity of God, translated Vedic scriptures into English, and integrated western modern ideas into Indian society and the education system. He saw the evils in the Hindu society and sought to end them by reforming various aspects of the society. 

Ram Mohan Roy was well-read and knew several different languages like Sanskrit, Bengali, Persian, Arabic, English, Latin, and Greek. He believed that education can modernise society and bring much-needed changes. With the assistance of his western connections, he set up several schools and colleges in Bengal like the Hindu college, the Anglo-Hindu school, Vedanta college and the Scottish Church College. He also wrote journals. His most popular journal was the Sambad Kaumudi in which he covered topics like freedom of the press and separation of the executive and judiciary. 

Ram Mohan Roy went to England as an envoy of Akbar Shah II, the then Mughal emperor of India and the emperor rewarded him with the title of ‘Raja’. Roy also met many members of the British Parliament and published books on Indian economics and law. He died of Meningitis on 27th September 1833 at the age of 61, while staying in England. He rests in the Arno’s Vale Cemetery in Bristol, England.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy will always be remembered as a great reformer who brought an end to the evil practice of Sati, worked towards reforming society, and sought to empower women. He is considered to be the ‘Father of Bengal Renaissance’ by many people. 

In this session, I have tried to picture the life of Raja Ram Mohan Roy very briefly within very limited words. Hopefully, you have properly understood the context and will be able to write such essays. If you have any doubts regarding this session, let me know through some quick comments. 

To get the latest updates on our upcoming sessions, please join our Telegram Channel. Thank you. see you again, soon.

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy – A Social reformer

One of the significant personalities of his time, Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a social and educational reformer known for bringing social reforms and building a modern India. He is known as the ‘ Father of Modern India’ and ‘ Maker of modern India ’. He was an independent thinker and a person who brought changes to society during the 18 th and 19 th centuries.

Let us know more about this eminent personality who made India what it is today.

About Raja Ram Mohan Roy

He is a great historical figure, who put laudable efforts to transform the face of India and dared to defy the age-old Hindu traditions. A modernist by virtue, he undertook a lot of social reforms to change society and worked for the upliftment of the status of women in India. He was also a great scholar who translated many books, religious and philosophical work,s and scriptures into Bengali and also translated Vedic scriptures into English.

Early Life and Education of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born into an elite Bengali Hindu family on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar village of Hoogly district, Bengal Presidency. He was born to Ramkanto Roy, his father, and Tarinidevi, his mother in the darkest era in the history of India. At that time, The country was suffering from numerous socio-economic and political problems which created disarray in the name of religions. He did his schooling in Sanskrit and Bengali languages in the village school after which he was sent to Madrasa in Patna where he learned Persian and Arabic. Later on, he moved to Kashi to learn the complexity of Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads. He learned the English language at the age of 22.

Later Life of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

He extensively studied Christianity and other religions. This made him realize that some Hindu traditions and superstitions were required to be reformed while working for the East India Company. Apart from this, he was born into a family with religious diversity which probably controlled his thinking. Roy was against idol worship and propagated the idea of the oneness of God through Brahmo Samaj. He was the founder of the Brahmo Samaj at Kolkata in 1828. His efforts actually led to the resumption of the ethical principles of the Vedanta school of philosophy. He co-founded the Calcutta Unitarian Society. The title ‘Raja’ was bestowed upon him by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar II. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the first educated Indian to travel to England and went on to become an ambassador of the Mughal emperor, Akbar II.

Social Reforms

The Bengal society was weighed down by an array of evil customs and regulations. There was a huge prevalence of intricate rituals and scrupulous moral codes which were largely modified and badly elucidated ancient traditions. He was against traditional Hindu practices and echoed his voice against the Sati system, polygamy, caste rigidity, and child marriage. His biggest achievement was the prohibition of the “ sati pratha ”, a practice in which a widow was made to immolate herself at the funeral pyre of her deceased husband. He struggled for years to get this evil legally eradicated.

He established the Brahmo Samaj along with the other enlightened Bengalis. The samaj was a highly influential socio-religious reform movement which raised its voice against evils like the caste system, dowry, ill-treatment of women, etc.

Educational contributions

He put remarkable efforts in the education system of India. To modernize the education system, Raja Ram Mohan Roy established many English schools. He revolutionized the education system in India by setting up Hindu College at Calcutta in 1817, which went on to become one of the best educational institutions in the country. Roy promoted and urged the teaching of scientific subjects like Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and even Botany. He promoted technology, western medicine, and English to be taught at Indian schools.

Published works

To politically educate people, Raja Ram Mohan Roy even published magazines in different languages including English, Hindi, Persian, and Bengali. Noticeable magazines published by him were the Brahmanical Magazine , the Sambad Kaumudi , and Mirat-ul-Akbar . His most popular journals covered socio-political issues in India which helped Indians to rise above their current state.

The news and articles before being published had to be approved by the government in those days. Raja Ram Mohan was against this idea and protested on the basis of the argument that the newspaper should reflect the truth and the truth should not be suppressed simply on the grounds that the government is not liking it.

Death of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy died of meningitis on September 27, 1833, in Bristol. The British government has named a street in Bristol as ‘Raja Rammohan Way’ in the memory of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

Despite the fact that a lot of progress has been made by Indians in many areas, the condition of women is still far behind what it should be. Reformists like Raja Ram Mohan Roy should be born again in India to remove all sorts of evils from the society.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Award

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is a pioneer in the field of Indian Journalism. It was because of its efforts that in 1835 all the restrictions imposed on Press were removed by Charles Metcalfe.

For his honorary work as a journalist, every year ‘Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Award for excellence in Journalism’ is given to a journalist for their contributions in the field of journalism. The award contains a cash price of 1 Lakh rupees. The last award was presented in 2019 to Gulab Kothari, an eminent journalist and  Chairman of Rajasthan Patrika.

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Biography of Raja Rammohan Roy and his Contributions

Born in 1772, in a conservative Brahmin family, Rammohan Roy is the pioneer reformer of modern India. He represented the real spirit of Indian renaissance at its beginning.

For his unparallel contribution he has been described as the father of Indian Nationalism. When India was passing in a critical time, Rammohan appeared in the scene who gathered in himself all the significant trends of his time.

Rammohan has a gifted brain with a remarkable knowledge of India’s cultural traditions.

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He read the Upanishads in Sanskrit and translated them into Bengali. His theological treatises show his depth in Koran as well as in the commentaries of Sankara. He realized the importance of English as the gateway to modern knowledge. He acquired enough knowledge in English while working under the company administration. Besides he studied Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit. He understood the inner meaning of Hinduism and Islam. Coming in contact with the

Christian Missonaries, he also learnt the real meaning of Christianity. For his vast knowledge, he tried to bring the Indian society into order; thus became a rebel against many evils of the society. In a powerful way, he started writing on Indian religions, Indian economy and Indian education. In course of time, he started organized reform movement.

Rammohan stood against idol worship, beliefs in many Gods and Goddesses, meaningless ceremonies and unnecessary rituals. He Vehemently criticised the Hindu orthodox practices and religious dogmas present in his contemporary Indian society. He said that Hinduism as the most ancient religion on earth should rest on its inner spiritual vitality.

The Hindu Vedanta and Upanishad had described clearly about birth, life and death. According to him, there is the Creator who creates and describes everything on earth. He is the Supreme Being without any beginning and end without description or shape. Rammohan pointed out the value of those beliefs and wanted religion to rest on purity, virtues and ethics.

He openly declared, “My constant reflections; on the inconvenient, or rather injurious rites, introduced by the peculiar practice of Hindu idolatry, which more than any other pagan worship destroys the texture of society together with compassion for, any countrymen, have compelled one to use every possible effort to awaken them from their dream of error and by moving them acquainted with their scriptures, enable them to contemplate with true devotion, the unity and omnipresence of nature’s God.”

With these ideas he wanted to transform the Indian Hindu society with a new light. In 1928 Rammohan founded the Brahmo Sabha which was renamed as Brahmo Samaj in 1830. Brahmo Samaj became one of the most important agents of religious and social change in the nineteenth century India.

The main aim of the Samaj was to foster the idea of brotherhood of men since all men are the creation of the eternal Being. It advocated for the promotion of charity, morality, piety, benevolence, virtue and the strengthening of the bonds of union between man of all religious beliefs.

The immobile structure of the Indian society, with blind beliefs like Sati system, polygamy, caste excesses, untouchability and the oppression of women divided the Indian society and kept them from acting together as a united nation. Rammohan started Champaign against these wrong doings of the Hindu society.

Rammohan Roy openly said that Sati system was more than murders according to all Shastra as well as to the common science of every nation. He protested against the Sati system inside and outside his home. Consequent upon this the orthodox community rose up in protest and social boycott was organized against him. His life was threatened. On the support of Rammohan Roy, Lord Bentinck finally decided to abolish Sati system in 1929.

In the field of education, Rammohan was one of the first thinkers in India to realise the value of Western Science, and thought. He created major opinion in favour of the English education that could generate a sense of unity among the Indian educated youths. Rammohan’s idea of western education helped the Government of Lord William Bentinck to introduce European learning in India. Bentinck could ignore the group of orientalists of India who were pleading in favour of oriental languages to be used as medium of instructions in schools and colleges.

Rammohan also tried his best for the poetical awakening among Indians. He first realized the value of free press and free opinion. He first published a weekly to ventilate the views of the people on social, political, economic problems both national and international. Through the publication of a comparative study of national problem with international issues, Indians could understand their defects.

With the result they tried to work for the motherland jointly. Rammohan became the pioneer of Indian nationalism by preaching the sensitive value of unity among men. The aim of his reform movement was to liberate the individual from social tyranny and from mental ignorance.

Breaking the orthodox belief to cross the sea and to lose the caste, Rammohan Roy was the first Indian to go to England crossing sea in 1830. Fighting in favour of the abolition of Saji, the introduction of Western Education in India and to introduce measures to put an end to the false beliefs among Indians, he died there is 1833.

After the death of Rammohan Roy, the Brahmo movement continued to carry its mission under the leadership of Keshab Chandra Sen, Maharishi Debendranath Tagore and Akshaya Kumar Dutta etc. Thus in the growth of Indian renaissance the Brahmo movement played a very significant role in India.

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English Works Of Raja Rammohan Roy

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Book Source: Digital Library of India Item 2015.533271

dc.contributor.author: Roy, Raja Rammohun dc.date.accessioned: 2015-10-04T20:45:57Z dc.date.available: 2015-10-04T20:45:57Z dc.date.digitalpublicationdate: 3/31/2010 dc.date.citation: 1906 dc.identifier.barcode: 99999990077527 dc.identifier.origpath: /data10/data51/upload/0021/450 dc.identifier.copyno: 1 dc.identifier.uri: http://www.new.dli.ernet.in/handle/2015/533271 dc.description.scanningcentre: IGNCA, Delhi dc.description.main: 1 dc.description.tagged: 0 dc.description.totalpages: 1018 dc.format.mimetype: application/pdf dc.language.iso: English dc.publisher: The Panini dc.source.library: Central Archaeological Library, Asi dc.subject.classification: English Literature dc.subject.classification: Roy, Raja Rammohan dc.subject.classification: English Essays dc.title: English Works Of Raja Rammohan Roy dc.type: print-paper dc.type: book

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy Biography

Birthday: May 22 , 1772 ( Gemini )

Born In: Radhanagore, West Bengal, India

Fondly called the “Maker of Modern India”, social and educational reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a visionary who lived during one of India’s darkest social phases but strived his best to make his motherland a better place for the future generations to come. Born into a Bengali family in British India, he joined hands with other prominent Bengalis like Dwarkanath Tagore to form the socio-religious organization Brahmo Samaj, the renaissance movement of the Hindu religion which set the pace for Bengali enlightenment. Given the fact that Ram Mohan Roy was born into a family which displayed religious diversity which was unusual in Bengal at the time, it comes as no surprise that the young Ram Mohan Roy was disturbed by the problems stemming in the society due to religious and social malpractices. He was especially concerned about the practice of “sati” which required a widow to immolate herself at the pyre of her husband. Along with other reformers and visionaries he fought against the evil practices prevalent in the Indian society at that time and helped to eradicate several of them. He also left a deep impact in the fields of politics and education.

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Also Known As: Ram Mohan Roy

Died At Age: 61

Spouse/Ex-: Uma Devi

father: Ramkanto Roy

mother: Tarinidevi

Born Country: India

Women's Rights Activists Indian Men

Died on: September 27 , 1833

place of death: Bristol, England

Founder/Co-Founder: Brahmo Samaj

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Raja Ram Mohan Roy

• 17 Aug 2020
• 10 min read
• GS Paper - 1
• GS Paper - 4
• Important Personalities
• Contribution of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the father of Modern India’s Renaissance and a tireless social reformer who inaugurated the age of enlightenment and liberal reformist modernisation in India.

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on 22 May 1772 in an orthodox Brahman family at Radhanagar in Bengal.
• Ram Mohan Roy’s early education included the study of Persian and Arabic at Patna where he read the Quran, the works of Sufi mystic poets and the Arabic translation of the works of Plato and Aristotle. In Benaras, he studied Sanskrit and read Vedas and Upnishads.
• Returning to his village, at the age of sixteen, he wrote a rational critique of Hindu idol worship.
• From 1803 to 1814, he worked for East India Company as the personal diwan first of Woodforde and then of Digby.
• In 1814, he resigned from his job and moved to Calcutta in order to devote his life to religious, social and political reforms.
• In November 1830, he sailed for England to be present there to counteract the possible nullification of the Act banning Sati.
• Ram Mohan Roy was given the title of ‘Raja’ by the titular Mughal Emperor of Delhi, Akbar II whose grievances the former was to present before the British king.
• In his address, entitled ‘Inaugurator of the Modern Age in India,’ Tagore referred to Ram Mohan as ‘a luminous star in the firmament of Indian history’.
• Ram Mohan Roy was greatly influenced by western modern thought and stressed on rationalism and modern scientific approach.
• Ram Mohan Roy’s immediate problematique was the religious and social degeneration of his native Bengal.
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy concluded that religious reform is both social reform and political modernisation.
• Ram Mohan believed that each sinner must make restitution for his sins and it is to be done through self-purification and repentance and not through sacrifices and rituals.
• He believed in social equality of all human beings and thus was a strong opposer of the caste system.
• His idea of single, unitarian god was a corrective to the polytheism of orthodox Hinduism and to Christian trinitarianism. He believed that monotheism supported one universal model for humanity.
• He characterised sati as the violation of every humane and social feeling and as symptomatic of the moral debasement of a race.

Contributions

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s first published work Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhiddin (a gift to deists) published in 1803 exposed irrational religious beliefs and corrupt practices of the Hindus as the belief in revelations, prophets, miracles etc.
• In 1814, he founded Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta to campaign against idolatry, caste rigidities, meaningless rituals and other social ills.
• He criticized the ritualism of Christianity and rejected Christ as the incarnation of God. In Precepts of Jesus (1820), he tried to separate the moral and philosophical message of the New Testament, which he praised, from its miracle stories.
• He founded the Atmiya Sabha in 1815, the Calcutta Unitarian Association in 1821, and the Brahmo Sabha in 1828 which later became the Brahmo Samaj.
• He campaigned against the caste system, untouchability, superstitions and use of intoxicants.
• He was well known for his pioneering thought and action on the emancipation of women and especially on the abolition of sati and widow remarriage.
• He attacked child marriage, illiteracy of women and the degraded state of widows and demanded the right of inheritance and property for women.

Brahmo Samaj

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded Brahmo Sabha in 1828, which was later renamed as Brahmo Samaj.
• Its chief aim was the worship of the eternal God. It was against priesthood, rituals and sacrifices.
• It focused on prayers, meditation and reading of the scriptures. It believed in the unity of all religions.
• It was the first intellectual reform movement in modern India. It led to the emergence of rationalism and enlightenment in India which indirectly contributed to the nationalist movement.
• It was the forerunner of all social, religious and political movements of modern India. It split into two in 1866, namely Brahmo Samaj of India led by Keshub Chandra Sen and Adi Brahmo Samaj led by Debendranath Tagore.
• Prominent Leaders: Debendranath Tagore, Keshub Chandra Sen, Pt. Sivnath Shastri, and Rabindranath Tagore.
• Roy did much to disseminate the benefits of modern education to his countrymen. He supported David Hare’s efforts to find the Hindu College in 1817, while Roy’s English school taught mechanics and Voltaire’s philosophy.
• In 1825, he established Vedanta college where courses in both Indian learning and Western social and physical sciences were offered.
• Civil liberties: Roy was impressed and admired the British system of constitutional government for the civil liberties it gave to the people. He wanted to extend the benefits of that system of government to Indian people.
• When press censorship was relaxed by Lord Hastings in 1819, Ram Mohan found three journals- The Brahmanical Magazine  (1821); The Bengali weekly, Samvad Kaumudi (1821); and the Persian weekly, Mirat-ul-Akbar.
• He called for a reduction of export duties on Indian goods abroad and the abolition of the East India Company’s trading rights.
• Administrative reforms: He demanded the Indianisation of superior services and separation of the executive from judiciary. He demanded equality between Indians and Europeans.

Literary Works of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

• Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin (1804)
• Vedanta Gantha (1815)
• Translation of an abridgement of the Vedanta Sara (1816)
• Kenopanishads (1816)
• Ishopanishad (1816)
• Kathopanishad (1817)
• A Conference between the Advocate for, and an Opponent of Practice of Burning Widows Alive (Bengali and English) (1818)
• Mundaka Upanishad (1819)
• A Defence of Hindu Theism (1820)
• The Precepts of Jesus- The Guide to Peace and Happiness (1820)
• Bengali Grammar (1826)
• The Universal Religion (1829)
• History of Indian Philosophy (1829)
• Gaudiya Vyakaran (1833)

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was one of the few people in his time to realise completely the significance of modern age. He knew that the ideal of human civilization does not lie in isolation of independence, but in the brotherhood of inter-dependence of individuals as well as nations. His attempt was to establish Indian people in the full consciousness of their own cultural personality, to make them comprehend the reality that was unique in their civilisations in the spirit of sympathetic cooperation.

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