Early Reform Movements in Bengal
Introduction:
The early reform movements in Bengal played a crucial role in shaping modern Indian society. Emerging during the 19th century, these movements aimed to challenge social evils, outdated traditions, and oppressive practices while promoting education, women's rights, and rational thinking. Led by visionaries like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and others, these reforms laid the foundation for a progressive and enlightened Bengal, influencing the broader Indian renaissance.
(a) Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj
Rammohan Roy (1772–1833) was one of
the earlier reformers influenced by the Western ideas to initiate reforms. He
was a great scholar, well-versed in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and English
apart from his knowledge in his mother tongue,Bengali.
Rammohan Roy was opposed
to meaningless religious ceremonies and all forms of pernicious social customs.
Yet he wanted to preserve continuity with the past. In his religio–philosophical
social outlook, he was deeply influenced by monotheism and anti-idolatry. Based
on his interpretation of the Upanishads, he argued that all the ancient texts
of the Hindus preached monotheism or worship of one God.
Deeply concerned with the
prevailing social evils of sati, child marriage, and polygamy he published tracts
against them and petitioned the government to legislate against them.
He advocated
the rights of widows to remarry. He wanted polygamy to end. He appealed to
reason and humanity and compassion of the people. His campaign played a key
role in forcing the Governor-General William Bentinck’s legislation abolishing
sati in 1829.
Rammohan Roy condemned the subjugation
of women and opposed the prevailing ideas that women were inferior to men. He
strongly advocated education for women. He gave his full support for the introduction
of English language and western sciences in schools and colleges.
Rammohan Roy founded
the Brahmo Samaj on 20 August 1828. He opened a templein Calcutta, where there
was no image. There he laid down that ‘no religion should be reviled or
slightly or contemptuously spoken off or alluded to.’ The Samaj forbade
idol-worship and condemned meaningless religious rites and ceremonies.
However,
from the beginning, the appeal of the Brahmo Samaj remained limited to the
intellectuals and enlightened Bengalis. Though the Samaj failed to attract the
people from the lower sections of society, its impact on the culture of modern
Bengal and its middle class was quite significant.
(b) Maharishi Debendranath Tagore
After the death of Rammohan Roy
(1833), Maharishi Debendranath Tagore (1817–1905), the poet Rabindranath
Tagore’s father, carried on the work. He laid down four articles of faith:
1. In the beginning there was
nothing. The one Supreme Being alone existed who created the Universe.
2. He alone is the God of Truth,
Infinite Wisdom, Goodness, and Power, eternal, omnipresent, the One without
second.
3. Our salvation depends on belief
in Him and in His worship in this world and the next.
4. Belief consists in loving Him
and doing His will.
(c ) Keshab Chandra Sen & Brahmo Samaj of India
Debendranath was a moderate
reformer. But his younger colleagues in the Sabha were for rapid changes. The
greatest of these, Keshab Chandra Sen, (1838–84) joined the movement in 1857.
But in 1866 a split occurred in the ranks of Brahmo Samaj.
Keshab left the
Samaj and founded a new organization. Debendranath’s organization, thereafter,
came to be known as Adi Brahmo Samaj. After Keshab had his fourteen-year-old
daughter married to an Indian prince, in contravention of the Samaj’s condemnation
of child marriages, the opponents of child marriage left the Brahmo Samaj of
India and started the Sadharan Samaj.
(d) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Another outstanding reformer in
Bengal was Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820–1891). While Ram
Mohan Roy and others looked to western rationalist ideas to reform society, Vidyasagar
argued that the Hindu scriptures were progressive.
He provided evidence from scriptures
that there was no sanction for burning of widows or for the prohibition on the
remarriage of widows. He wrote a number of polemical tracts, and was the
pioneer of modern Bengali prose. He played a leading role in promoting
education of girls and helped them in setting up a number of schools.
He
dedicated his whole life for the betterment of the child widows of the Hindu
society. The movement led by Vidyasagar, resulted in the Widows’ Remarriage
Reform Act of 1856. This Act was intended to improve the lot of child widows
and save them from perpetual widowhood.
Note:
It was also to the credit of
Vidyasagar that the first age of consent was included in
the Indian Penal code, which was
enacted in 1860. The age for marriage was fixed as ten years. It was raised to
twelve and thirteen years in 1891 and 1925 respectively. Sadly, as reported in
the Age of Consent Committee (1929), the law remained on paper and the knowledge
of it was confined to judges, lawyers and a few educated men.
(e) Prarthana Samaj
The Maharashtra region was another
region where reform activities gained steam. A movement similar to the Brahmo
Samaj, but founded in Bombay in 1867, was Prarthana Samaj.
Its founder was Dr.
Atma Ram Pandurang (1825–1898). The two distinguished members of this Samaj were
R.C. Bhandarkar and Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade. They devoted themselves to activities
such as inter-caste dining, inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage and
improvement of women and depressed classes.Mahadev Govind Ranade (1842–1901)
was the
founder of the Widow Marriage Association (1861), the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870)
and the Deccan Education Society (1884).
Conclusion:
The early reform movements in Bengal were instrumental in bringing about social transformation and awakening among the masses. They not only redefined traditional norms but also paved the way for future reformist and nationalist struggles. The impact of these movements continues to resonate in contemporary India, serving as a reminder of the power of progressive thought and collective action in driving societal change.
FAQs:
1. What were the main objectives of the early reform movements in Bengal?
The early reform movements aimed to challenge social evils, outdated traditions, and oppressive practices while promoting education, women’s rights, and rational thinking.
2. Who was Raja Rammohan Roy, and what was his contribution to social reforms?
Raja Rammohan Roy was a key reformer who opposed religious superstitions and social evils like sati and child marriage. He played a crucial role in the abolition of sati in 1829 and founded the Brahmo Samaj to promote monotheism and rationalism.
3. What was the significance of the Brahmo Samaj in Bengal’s reform movements?
The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Rammohan Roy in 1828, played a pivotal role in promoting social and religious reforms, advocating against idol worship and meaningless rituals, and supporting women’s rights and education.
4. How did Maharishi Debendranath Tagore contribute to the reform movement?
After Rammohan Roy’s death, Debendranath Tagore led the Brahmo Samaj, emphasizing monotheism and spiritual beliefs. He played a crucial role in strengthening the reform movement in Bengal.
5. What led to the split in the Brahmo Samaj?
In 1866, Keshab Chandra Sen’s progressive stance led to differences within the Brahmo Samaj, resulting in a split. His faction became the Brahmo Samaj of India, while Debendranath Tagore’s group was known as Adi Brahmo Samaj.
6. How did Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar advocate for women’s rights?
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar championed widow remarriage and worked towards improving the status of women through education. His efforts led to the enactment of the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856.
7. What was the impact of the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856?
The Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 allowed Hindu widows to remarry, challenging orthodox traditions and improving the lives of many women in India.
8. What was the significance of the Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra?
Founded in 1867 in Bombay, the Prarthana Samaj promoted social reforms like inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage, and education for women and the underprivileged.
9. Who were the key figures of the Prarthana Samaj?
Dr. Atma Ram Pandurang, R.C. Bhandarkar, and Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade were among its prominent leaders. Ranade also founded the Widow Marriage Association and other reformist organizations.
10. How did these early reform movements influence modern India?
These movements laid the foundation for progressive changes in Indian society, influencing future social reformers, nationalist movements, and legislative changes aimed at social equality.
Rammohan Roy (1772–1833) was one of the earlier reformers influenced by the Western ideas to initiate reforms. He was a great scholar, well-versed in Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and English apart from his knowledge in his mother tongue,Bengali.
Rammohan Roy was opposed to meaningless religious ceremonies and all forms of pernicious social customs. Yet he wanted to preserve continuity with the past. In his religio–philosophical social outlook, he was deeply influenced by monotheism and anti-idolatry. Based on his interpretation of the Upanishads, he argued that all the ancient texts of the Hindus preached monotheism or worship of one God.
Deeply concerned with the prevailing social evils of sati, child marriage, and polygamy he published tracts against them and petitioned the government to legislate against them.
He advocated the rights of widows to remarry. He wanted polygamy to end. He appealed to reason and humanity and compassion of the people. His campaign played a key role in forcing the Governor-General William Bentinck’s legislation abolishing sati in 1829.
Rammohan Roy condemned the subjugation of women and opposed the prevailing ideas that women were inferior to men. He strongly advocated education for women. He gave his full support for the introduction of English language and western sciences in schools and colleges.
Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj on 20 August 1828. He opened a templein Calcutta, where there was no image. There he laid down that ‘no religion should be reviled or slightly or contemptuously spoken off or alluded to.’ The Samaj forbade idol-worship and condemned meaningless religious rites and ceremonies.
However, from the beginning, the appeal of the Brahmo Samaj remained limited to the intellectuals and enlightened Bengalis. Though the Samaj failed to attract the people from the lower sections of society, its impact on the culture of modern Bengal and its middle class was quite significant.
(b) Maharishi Debendranath Tagore
After the death of Rammohan Roy (1833), Maharishi Debendranath Tagore (1817–1905), the poet Rabindranath Tagore’s father, carried on the work. He laid down four articles of faith:
1. In the beginning there was nothing. The one Supreme Being alone existed who created the Universe.
2. He alone is the God of Truth, Infinite Wisdom, Goodness, and Power, eternal, omnipresent, the One without second.
3. Our salvation depends on belief in Him and in His worship in this world and the next.
4. Belief consists in loving Him and doing His will.
(c ) Keshab Chandra Sen & Brahmo Samaj of India
Debendranath was a moderate reformer. But his younger colleagues in the Sabha were for rapid changes. The greatest of these, Keshab Chandra Sen, (1838–84) joined the movement in 1857. But in 1866 a split occurred in the ranks of Brahmo Samaj.
Keshab left the Samaj and founded a new organization. Debendranath’s organization, thereafter, came to be known as Adi Brahmo Samaj. After Keshab had his fourteen-year-old daughter married to an Indian prince, in contravention of the Samaj’s condemnation of child marriages, the opponents of child marriage left the Brahmo Samaj of India and started the Sadharan Samaj.
(d) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Another outstanding reformer in Bengal was Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820–1891). While Ram Mohan Roy and others looked to western rationalist ideas to reform society, Vidyasagar argued that the Hindu scriptures were progressive.
He provided evidence from scriptures that there was no sanction for burning of widows or for the prohibition on the remarriage of widows. He wrote a number of polemical tracts, and was the pioneer of modern Bengali prose. He played a leading role in promoting education of girls and helped them in setting up a number of schools.
He dedicated his whole life for the betterment of the child widows of the Hindu society. The movement led by Vidyasagar, resulted in the Widows’ Remarriage Reform Act of 1856. This Act was intended to improve the lot of child widows and save them from perpetual widowhood.
Note:
It was also to the credit of Vidyasagar that the first age of consent was included in
the Indian Penal code, which was enacted in 1860. The age for marriage was fixed as ten years. It was raised to twelve and thirteen years in 1891 and 1925 respectively. Sadly, as reported in the Age of Consent Committee (1929), the law remained on paper and the knowledge of it was confined to judges, lawyers and a few educated men.
(e) Prarthana Samaj
The Maharashtra region was another region where reform activities gained steam. A movement similar to the Brahmo Samaj, but founded in Bombay in 1867, was Prarthana Samaj.
Its founder was Dr. Atma Ram Pandurang (1825–1898). The two distinguished members of this Samaj were R.C. Bhandarkar and Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade. They devoted themselves to activities such as inter-caste dining, inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage and improvement of women and depressed classes.Mahadev Govind Ranade (1842–1901) was the founder of the Widow Marriage Association (1861), the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (1870) and the Deccan Education Society (1884).
Conclusion:
The early reform movements in Bengal were instrumental in bringing about social transformation and awakening among the masses. They not only redefined traditional norms but also paved the way for future reformist and nationalist struggles. The impact of these movements continues to resonate in contemporary India, serving as a reminder of the power of progressive thought and collective action in driving societal change.
FAQs:
1. What were the main objectives of the early reform movements in Bengal?
The early reform movements aimed to challenge social evils, outdated traditions, and oppressive practices while promoting education, women’s rights, and rational thinking.
2. Who was Raja Rammohan Roy, and what was his contribution to social reforms?
Raja Rammohan Roy was a key reformer who opposed religious superstitions and social evils like sati and child marriage. He played a crucial role in the abolition of sati in 1829 and founded the Brahmo Samaj to promote monotheism and rationalism.
3. What was the significance of the Brahmo Samaj in Bengal’s reform movements?
The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Rammohan Roy in 1828, played a pivotal role in promoting social and religious reforms, advocating against idol worship and meaningless rituals, and supporting women’s rights and education.
4. How did Maharishi Debendranath Tagore contribute to the reform movement?
After Rammohan Roy’s death, Debendranath Tagore led the Brahmo Samaj, emphasizing monotheism and spiritual beliefs. He played a crucial role in strengthening the reform movement in Bengal.
5. What led to the split in the Brahmo Samaj?
In 1866, Keshab Chandra Sen’s progressive stance led to differences within the Brahmo Samaj, resulting in a split. His faction became the Brahmo Samaj of India, while Debendranath Tagore’s group was known as Adi Brahmo Samaj.
6. How did Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar advocate for women’s rights?
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar championed widow remarriage and worked towards improving the status of women through education. His efforts led to the enactment of the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856.
7. What was the impact of the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856?
The Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 allowed Hindu widows to remarry, challenging orthodox traditions and improving the lives of many women in India.
8. What was the significance of the Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra?
Founded in 1867 in Bombay, the Prarthana Samaj promoted social reforms like inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage, and education for women and the underprivileged.
9. Who were the key figures of the Prarthana Samaj?
Dr. Atma Ram Pandurang, R.C. Bhandarkar, and Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade were among its prominent leaders. Ranade also founded the Widow Marriage Association and other reformist organizations.
10. How did these early reform movements influence modern India?
These movements laid the foundation for progressive changes in Indian society, influencing future social reformers, nationalist movements, and legislative changes aimed at social equality.
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