Modern Indian History

Choose the Correct Answer

Correct Answer : Option b

Explanation
Raja Rammohan Roy wanted his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women. Rammohun Roy represented a synthesis of the thought of East and West.

Statement 1 is not correct: Raja Rammohan Roy began his socio-religious reform journey with the establishment of the Atmiya Sabha in 1814, not the Brahma Sabha. The Atmiya Sabha focused on promoting monotheism, opposing idol worship, and combating social evils like sati. The Brahma Sabha, established later in 1828, marked the next phase of his reforms and eventually evolved into the Brahmo Samaj.

Statement 2 is correct: In 1809 he wrote in Persian his famous work Gift to Monotheists in which he put forward weighty arguments against belief in many gods and for the worsnip of a single God. Rammohun Roy insisted on applying rationalism to Christianity too, particularly to the elements of blind faith in it. In 1820, he published his Precepts of Jesus in which he tried to separate the moral and philosophic message of the New Testament, which he praised, from its miracle stories.

Statement 3 is not correct: In particular he vigorously opposed worship of idols, rigidity of caste, and prevalence of meaningless religious rituals. He condemned the priestly class for encouraging and inculcating these practices. He did not reject vedic texts. He published the Bengali translation of the Vedas and of five of the principal Upanishads to prove his point. He also wrote a series of tracts and pamphlets in defence of monotheism.