Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was an Indian social reformer and intellectual of the 19th century; he was a visionary who worked tirelessly to bring about social, cultural, and educational reforms in India. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born on 22nd May 1772 in Radhanagar, Bengal, now known as Hooghly in West Bengal. His father, Ramakanto, was a wealthy Brahmin and orthodox individual who strictly followed religious duties, but he wanted his son to pursue higher education. He mastered several languages like Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English, and his native Bengali and Hindi. After completing his education, Ram Mohan 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.
Raja

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is considered the pioneer of the modern Indian Renaissance for his remarkable reforms in 18th and 19th century India. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s most significant contribution was his work towards social reform. He strongly advocated for women’s rights and worked to abolish practices such as sati and child marriage. He also fought against the caste system and worked towards the education and upliftment of the lower castes. The most brutal among these customs was the Sati system. The custom involved the 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 became a mandatory custom, especially for Brahmin and higher caste families. Young girls were married to much older men in return for a dowry so that these men could have the supposed karmic benefits from their wives’ sacrifice as Sati. More often, if the women did not volunteer for such brutality, they were forced to do such inhuman practices. Raja Ram Mohan Roy opposed this brutal practice by raising 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 then Governor General Lord William Bentinck. Bentinck sympathized with Roy’s sentiments and intentions. 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 made significant contributions towards the abolition of the caste system in India. He believed that the caste system was a social evil that needed to be eradicated for the betterment of Indian society. Another significant contribution of his was his advocacy for the rights of the lower castes. He worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the caste system’s injustices and promote equality among all people, regardless of their caste. He believed every individual had the right to dignity and respect, regardless of birth. Raja Ram Mohan Roy worked on the caste system in several ways, both through his advocacy and practical efforts to improve the lives of lower-caste individuals. One of his most important contributions was his vocal opposition to the caste system. He believed the caste system was a social evil perpetuating inequality and discrimination. He spoke out against the caste system in his writings and speeches, raising awareness about the system’s injustices and advocating for equality and social justice.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy also promoted education and empowerment among the lower castes. He established several schools and colleges open to all from all castes and communities, including women. He believed that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and oppression that many lower-caste individuals faced.

Through his advocacy and practical efforts, Raja Ram Mohan Roy helped to lay the foundation for future social reformers and leaders to continue the fight against caste discrimination. His work toward abolishing the caste system remains integral to his legacy and continues to inspire people today.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was also a strong advocate for religious tolerance and believed all religions should be treated equally. The Brahmo Samaj was the earliest movement of modern India, greatly influenced by Western ideas. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the founder of Brahmo Samaj at Calcutta in the year 1828. It was one of the most influential religious movements that aimed to promote monotheism and reject idol worship. The worship was performed through prayers, meditation, and readings from the Vedas and Upanishads.

Nineteenth Century India witnessed a remarkable transformation in the social ideas in the History of India, and Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s contributions strongly impacted our Indian society.

– Prachi Bandaram

Reference –

1) “Raja Ram Mohan Roy”. Cultural India. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018. www.culturalindia.net/reformers/raja-ram-mohan-roy.html

2) Soman, Priya. “Raja Ram Mohan and the Abolition of Sati System in India” (PDF). International Journal of Humanities, Art and Social Studies (IJHAS). 1 (2): 75–82. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 July 2018. Retrieved 25 August 2018.