- Ram Mohan Roy was born in Radha nagar, Hooghly District, Bengal Presidency. His father Ramkanta was a Vaishnavite, while his mother, Tarini Devi, was from a Shivaite family.
- Thus one parent prepared him for the occupation of a scholar, the sastri, the other secured for him all the worldly advantages needed to launch a career in the laukik or worldly sphere of public administration.
- Torn between these two parental ideals from early childhood, Ram Mohan vacillated the rest of his life, moving from one to the other and back.
- Ram Mohan Roy was married three times. His first wife died early. He had two sons, Radhaprasad in 1800 and of Ramaprasad in 1812 with his second wife, who died in 1824. Roy's third wife outlived him.
- Ram Mohan Roy's early education is an disputed. One view is that "Ram Mohan started his formal education in the village Pathshala where he learned Bengali and some Sanskrit and Persian.
- Later he is said to have studied Persian and Arabic in a madrasa in Patna and after that he was sent to Benares(Kashi) to learn the intricacies of Sanskrit and Hindu scripture, including the Vedas and Upanishads.
- The dates of his time in both these places are uncertain. However, it is believed that he was sent to Patna when he was nine years old and two years later to Benares."
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy ( 1774– 27 September 1833) was a founder of the Brahma Sabha, the precursor of the Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious reform movement in the Indian subcontinent.
- His influence was apparent in the fields of politics, public administration, education, and religion. He was known for his efforts to abolish the practices of suttee and child marriage.
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy is considered by many historians as the "father of the Indian Renaissance.
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Influenced by European enlightenment he stressed on reason & human dignity.
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He respects the traditional philosophical system of East but believes that only modern culture would help India to revive.
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Gifted linguist, he knew many languages such as Sanskrit, Persian, English, Arabic, French, Latin, Hebrew etc.
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Religious & Philosophical Quest :- Ram Mohan Roy wrote a Persian book “Tuhafat-ul-muwahhidin” (Gift to monotheist) in 1809, in which he strongly supported believe in one God (Monotheism).
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He translated the Vedas & Five Upanishads into Bengali
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He set up Atmiya sabha in 1814, Calcutta.
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He strongly opposed idol worship, the rigidity of caste & superstitious rituals.
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He has written, Precepts of Jesus (1820) – He emphasize the moral message of Christ & criticized miracle stories in Bible.
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He described blind imitation of west, but wanted synthesis of best east & west.
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In 1828, he founded Brahma Sabha later Brahma Samaj (1830) to purify Hinduism & to preach monotheism.
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It was based on – Reason, Vedas & Upanishads, monotheism.
- Brahma samaj opposed – caste system, child marriage, sati system, etc.
- Work For Women.
- Sati-System was Abolished by William Bentinck in 1829.
- He also demanded the right of inheritance & Property for Women.
- Modern education :-
- He supported dutch watch , watch maker ‘David Hare’ to found Hindu-College 1817.
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He established a vedant college in Calcutta 1825.
- He strongly supported introduction of English education.
- National Consciousness :-
- He was the pioneer of Indian Journalism & brought Journals in Bengali, Persian, Hindi, English for spreading scientific literacy & political education.
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He started Bengali weekly “Sambad Kaumudi” (1821) which was first Indian newspaper edited, published & managed by Indians.[Language – Bangali]
- He also started Persian Weekly – “Mirat-ul-Akhbar” [Language – Farsi].
- Pioneer in Political Agitation :-
- He protested against restrictions on Indian Press in 1824.
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He demanded the abolition of trading rights of east India Company & removal of heavy export duties on Indian goods.
- He also demanded Indianisation of superior services, Judicial equality between Indians & Europeans.
- Internationalist :-
- He was given the title of ‘Raja’ by Mughal emperor Akbar-II & sent to England to plead his case for an increase in pension.
- He died at Bristol in England in 1833.
- Development of Brahma Samaj :-
- Brahm Sabha, established 1828.
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Tarachandra Chakraborty was the first secretary of Brahma Sabha.
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1830:- Ram Mohan Went to England.
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1830-1833:- Acharya Ramchandra, 1833- Death(acting head)[Death of Raja Ram – 1833-Bristal]
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1833-43:- Dwarika Nath Tagore
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1843:- Devendra Nath Tagore (Father of Rabindranath Tagore)
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Founded ‘Tatvabodhini Sabha in 1839.
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Published ‘Tatvabodhini’ magazine.
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Other members of Tatvabodhini – Rajendra lal Mishra, Akshya Kumar Dutt, Ishwar Chand Vidyasaga.
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In 1843 – Devendra Nath Tagore re-organised & revitalized Brahmo Samaj.
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1857:- Keshub Chandra sen joined Brahma samaj & soon popularized it outside Bengal.
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1866:- 1st Split in Brahma Samaj.
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Devendra Nath Tagore → Adi Brahma Samaj.
- Keshab Chandra Sen → Brahma Samaj of India → He took important Parting getting the Brahma.
- Marriage Act 1872. [Girl’s minimum age – 15 years]
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1878 – 2nd split → When Keshavchandra got his minor daughter married to maharaja of coach Bihar.
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Sadharan Brahma Samaj → Shivnath Shastri, Anand Mohan Bose
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Brahma Samaj was first missionary moment in India & Keshav Chandra sen was first missionary.
