Author: Ranabir Bhattacharyya
Publication: Myind.net
Date: June 12, 2016
URL:   https://www.myind.net/raja-rammohan-roy-%E2%80%93-father-indian-renaissance

The last few months in India have witnessed serious questions on prevailing patriarchy in Indian society. Be it social customs inhibiting Muslim women entering mosques and praying with male counterparts or Hindu women entering Shani Mandir. Incidentally, it was Raja Rammohan Roy, who single handedly fought the social crusade against the inhuman practices threatening the basic well being of Indian women. He was not only a social reformer but giant of a man who transformed India with his scientific and methodical approach to society. He is rightly termed as the 'Maker of modern India' and also the 'Father of Bengal Renaissance'.

Raja Rammohan Roy was born on May 22, 1774 in a Bengali Hindu family in Radhanagar, Arambagh sub division of Hooghly district in erstwhile Bengal Presidency. His father Ramkanta was a Vaishnavite and his mother Tarini Devi was a Shaivite. Although it was unusual for a Vaishnavite to marry a Shaivite at that time, Rammohan Roy's family portrayed a pluralistic outlook. Although there has been popular debate regarding Rammohan Roy's education,  Some people say that he had his formal education in village pathsala where he learnt Bengali, Sanskrit and Persian. Others are of the opinion that he learnt Persian and Arabic in a madrassa in Patna when he was nine years old and later undertook serious learning of old Hindu scriptures in Benares.

As far as his family life is concerned, Rammohan Roy married thrice, which was a common sight in the age of Hindu polygamy. He had two sons from his second marriage, Radhaprasad and Ramprasad. From his childhood only, Raja Rammohan Roy was against idol worship. He was completely against orthodox Hindu rituals. His ideas created a huge rift between him and his father and he left home and wandered around Himalayas and reached Tibet. When he came back home, his family got him married but Rammohan Roy didn't change. When his father died, he returned to Murshidabad. Between 1809 and 1814, he worked in the Revenue Department in the East India Company. He had also worked as a moneylender in Calcutta for a short span of time. The year 1814 was a turning moment for Rammohan's life as he formed Atmiya Sabha.

As a social reformer Raja Rammohan Roy had been exceptional, especially considering the conservative social tone of the erstwhile Hindu society. Rammohan Roy all throughout his life fought for ethical principles of Vedanta philosophy. He was also the co-founder of the Calcutta Unitarian Society.  He read about other religions and was appreciative of their good aspects as well. He soon realized that some Hindu traditions and superstitions required instant reforms. His family background instilled in him the appetite for diversified knowledge on religion. He was strictly against idol worship and in 1828 he founded the Brahmo Samaj.  He started propagating the idea of 'one God' through the platform of Brahmo Samaj.

What made Rammohan Roy, absolutely unique and different from other luminaries in that era is his tireless struggle championing the rights of women. He actively participated in public debate opposing Sati system. He was deeply moved and shocked when his sister-in-law died in Sati practice. Sati is an ancient obsolete Hindu funeral custom where a widow immolated herself on husband's pyre.  In 1829, after the efforts of Rammohan Roy and others, Sati was abolished. He was against the practice of polygamy. He also campaigned for widow remarriage and right for women to hold property. He faced stiff criticism from Bengali intellectuals and yet no one could dampen his indomitable spirit. He was a true visionary in various aspects.

Rammohan Roy understood the significance of English language education and vehemently opposed traditional Indian education system. He also opposed the use of government funds in schools teaching Sanskrit. Rammohan Roy was well aware of the growing influence of Christianity and the arrival of the Christian missionaries.  So he stressed on strengthening Hinduism, bringing in more transparency and reforming some customs. As far as promoting education in Bengal, Rammohan Roy was a true visionary. In 1822, he established the Hindu College whereas in direct assistance of Alexander Duff, he also established the General Assembly's Institution.  Multilingual expertise over languages of Rammohan Roy was legendary. He pioneered magazines in English, Hindi, Persian and Bengali. Brahmonical Magazine, Sambad Kaumud and Mirat-ul-Akbar were some notable publications penned by Rammohan Roy.  Incidentally the title 'Raja' was bestowed upon him by the Mughal Emperor Akbar II. On September 27, 1833 Raja Rammohan Roy passed away at Bristol due to Meningitis.

The greatness of Raja Rammohan Roy doesn't lie in the social reforms which he pioneered almost singlehandedly, but also his visionary approach to education as well. And let's not forget how much he opined for women education at a time when the conservative pathshalas didn't allow women. At a time, when only Sanskrit and Persian were taught in Indian schools, it was Raja Rammohan Roy who understood the importance of English education and the need to educate one with all the updated information including latest scientific discoveries and inventions. He emphasized on the need to learn English, Mathematics and Science. Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore rightly remarked, "Raja Rammohan Roy inaugurated the modern age in India. He was the father of Indian Renaissance and the prophet of Indian nationalism"