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Who is Raja Ram Mohun Roy

Raja Ram Mohun Roy, (born May 22, 1772 in Radhanagar, Bengal, India – died on September 27, 1833 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England), a religious, social and political reformer in India. Coming from a wealthy Brahmin family, he traveled widely during his youth, exposing himself to different cultures and developing a misconception about Hinduism. In 1803, he wrote a tract criticizing the sectarianism and superstitions of India and advocating a monotheistic Hindu religion that would worship the Supreme God.

He provided modern translations of the Vedas and Upanishads to provide a philosophical basis for his beliefs, supported freedom of speech and religion, and criticized the system of caste and suttee. In 1826 he founded the Vedanta College and in 1828 he founded the Brahmo Samaj.

Social reform

At the end of the 18th century (called the Dark Ages), many perverted customs and values ​​filled the Bengali society. Many rituals and strict morals were imposed, which were changed everywhere and ancient traditions were misinterpreted. Practices like polygamy (Guridaan), polygamy and Sati are widespread and affect women in society.

The worst of these customs is Sati Pratha. This tradition involves burning widows in their husband’s burial place. Although the custom in its early form gave women the option to do so, it gradually became a compulsory custom, especially for the Brahmins and upper castes. The girls married many elders, and they changed the money, so that these men could make the sacrifice of their women as Sati. Often, women do not make time for such cruelty if it is forced or even addictive drugs.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy hated this cruel act and raised his voice against him. He speaks freely and shares his views at the highest levels of the East India Company. His ideas and persistence carried him through the ranks to Governor General Lord William Bentinck. Lord Bentinck sympathized with Roy’s intentions and in the midst of protests from the orthodox religion, the Bengal Sati Settlement or Settlement XVII, A. D. 1829 of the Bengal Code was passed.

The law prohibits the practice of Sati Daha in the province of Bengal, and anyone caught doing it will be prosecuted. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s name was etched forever as a true feminist not only for helping to abolish the practice of Sati, but also for raising his voice against child marriage and monogamy, where he require equal inheritance rights for women. He was also a staunch opponent of the powerful factions of his time.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy contributed

Economic and Political Contribution of Raja Ram Mohan Roy
He admired Raja Ram Mohan Roy and admired the civil liberties granted to the people under the British constitutional system. He wanted to spread the benefits of this system of government to the people of India. Tax changes –
He criticized the oppressive behavior of Bengali zamindars.
He asked for the minimum wage to be fixed. He called for a reduction in export duties on Indian goods abroad and demanded an end to tax and tax-free land.
He raised his voice for the abolition of the trading rights of the East India Company. Freedom of the press: He spoke out against the wrong policies of the British government, the most restrictive of the freedom of the press. Through his writings and activities, he supported the process of free media in India. When Lord Hastings silenced the press in 1819, Ram Mohan founded three journals – The Brahmanical Magazine (1821); Bengali weekly Samvad Kaumudi (1821); and the Persian weekly Mirat-ul-Akbar.
Administrative Reforms: He wanted equality between Indians and Europeans. He wanted the Indians to play a higher role in the division of the executive and the judiciary.

Death of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

To ensure that Lord Bentick’s Sati Act is not violated, Raja Ram Mohan Roy visited England in 1830. He requested the imperial authorities to increase the royalty payments to the Mughal Emperor. Raja Ram Mohan Roy died of meningitis on September 27, 1833 in Stapleton, Bristol, while visiting the United Kingdom.

He is buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery in Bristol. In honor of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the British government recently named a road in Bristol “Raja Rammohan Way”.

Legacy

Ram Mohan saw education as a means of implementing social change, so he came to Calcutta in 1815 and the following year opened an English college with his own investment. He wanted students to study English language and science subjects and criticized the government’s policy of opening only Sanskrit schools.

According to him, Indians will be left behind if they do not study modern subjects such as mathematics, geography and Latin. The government accepted this idea from Ram Mohan and implemented it, but not before his death. Ram Mohan was also the first to attach importance to the development of local languages. His ‘Gaudiya Byakaran’ in Bengali is the best of his novels. Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra followed in the footsteps of Ram Mohan Roy.