Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a distinguished Indian social reformer and the founder of the Brahmo Samaj. He is often referred to as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance" due to his significant contributions to social and educational reforms in India during the early 19th century. Born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar, Hooghly, Bengal, his influence reshaped Indian society.
In his 1823 letter to Lord Amherst, the Governor-General of India at the time, Raja Ram Mohan Roy criticized the traditional Sanskrit education system. He strongly advocated for the introduction of English education in India, asserting that the existing educational framework kept the nation in "darkness." Roy believed that English education would usher in a more liberal and enlightened system of instruction, fostering scientific knowledge and intellectual development.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy is recognized for laying the foundation of modern English education in India. His persistent advocacy for English education significantly influenced educational policy changes implemented by the British, particularly in Lord Macaulay’s Minute on Indian Education in 1835. He envisioned that English education would equip Indians with the scientific and technical knowledge crucial for social and economic advancement.
Roy was a pioneering figure in Indian journalism, founding two influential journals: "Sambad Kaumudi," a Bengali weekly in 1821, and "Mirat-ul-Akbar," a Persian newspaper in 1822. Through these publications, he aimed to disseminate ideas of educational and social reform, encouraging dialogue and raising awareness about contemporary issues, including the urgent need for education.
In addition to his educational initiatives, Raja Ram Mohan Roy is well-known for his campaign against the practices of sati (the tradition of burning widows on their husbands' funeral pyres) and child marriage. His relentless efforts culminated in the eventual banning of sati by the British government in 1829. Roy also championed the rights of women, advocating for their right to inherit property and to remarry, as part of his broader social reform agenda in India.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy's visionary ideas and unwavering commitment to education and social reform had a profound impact on the trajectory of modern Indian history. His initiatives laid the groundwork for future generations, fostering a movement towards a more progressive and enlightened society.
Q1. What was Raja Ram Mohan Roy known for?
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is renowned as a social reformer who founded the Brahmo Samaj and advocated for English education, women's rights, and the abolition of sati in India.
Q2. How did Raja Ram Mohan Roy impact education in India?
Answer: He played a pivotal role in promoting English education, which laid the foundation for modern educational reforms in India, influencing British policies on education.
Q3. What were the journals founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy?
Answer: He founded two significant journals: "Sambad Kaumudi," a Bengali weekly, and "Mirat-ul-Akbar," a Persian newspaper, aiming to promote social and educational reforms.
Q4. When was sati banned in India?
Answer: The practice of sati was officially banned by the British government in 1829, largely due to the advocacy of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and his reformist efforts.
Q5. What social issues did Raja Ram Mohan Roy address?
Answer: Besides opposing sati, he addressed issues like child marriage and women's rights, advocating for reforms that improved the social status of women in India.
Question 1: Who is known as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance"?
A) Mahatma Gandhi
B) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
C) Swami Vivekananda
D) Jawaharlal Nehru
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: In which year was sati officially banned in India?
A) 1825
B) 1829
C) 1835
D) 1842
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What was the main focus of Raja Ram Mohan Roy's reforms?
A) Economic reforms
B) Educational reforms
C) Political reforms
D) Agricultural reforms
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: Which journal did Raja Ram Mohan Roy publish in Bengali?
A) Mirat-ul-Akbar
B) Sambad Kaumudi
C) The Hindu
D) Times of India
Correct Answer: B
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