Raja Ram Mohan Roy has come to be

Raja Ram Mohan Roy has come to be called the maker of modern India. What was good and noble in the past, he laid the foundations for a great future. He put an end to the horrible custom of burning the living wife with the dead husband. He was a great scholar and an independent thinker. He advocated the study of English, science, western medicine and technology. He spend his money on college to promote these studies.

OBJECTIVES 1. To illustrate eminent personality who influence the Indian society. 2. To explore the role of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in the upliftment of the society. 3. To assess the social conditions or evils prevailing in the society during their regime. 4. To evaluate the importance of his contributions in the present scenario.

Childhood and early life Ø Ram Mohan Roy was born on 1772 in Bengal. He was born in to a high ranking Brahmin family. Ø He received his basic education in Sanskrit and Bengali in the village school after which he was sent to Patna to study in Madras where he learnt Persia and Arabic. Ø He learnt the English language only when he was 22 years

Later life Ø He found a job in east India company (revenue officer-1809). Ø He also voiced his dissent against the unjust actions of the British India. Ø He raised his voice against Sati. Ø He supported the freedom of press. Ø He set up an English school in Calcutta in 1816 using his own funds. Ø Following years of his hard work in fighting against sati, the government of the Bengal presidency Lands Lord William Bentinck formally banned the practice on 4 December 1829. Ø In 1828 he founded Brahmo Samaj. Ø He was also a Journalist –”Sambad kaumudi "his most popular journal.

Personal life §As was the custom during those days he was first married as a child. When his child bride died, he was married again. His second wife too predeceased him. His third marriage was to Uma Devi who out lived him. He had two sons. § He died on 27 September 1833.

SOCIAL REFORMS MADE BY RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY Abolition of sati § In the funeral pyre of the deceased husband, his wife was mercilessly thrown if she did not enter in to the flame voluntarily. This was termed as sati. § His efforts bore fruits and his practice was stopped by an Act passed in 1829 during Lord William Bentinck. Thus, a long prevailing ugly practice of the Hindus was uprooted.

Voice against idolatry §In his book “Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin”he championed the cause of Monotheism. § He criticized idol-worship by the Hindus. § He also opposed the principle of “Trinitariasm "of the Christianity. § He rejected polytheism, idol worship and rituals of different regions. § He advocated monotheism. § He inspired men to cultivate rationality.

Women liberty § He was determined to give women her proper place in the society. § He advocated widow remarriage. § Right over parental property. § Voice against child marriage and polygamy. § Women education. Opposite to caste system §The Indian society was fragmented by the name of different castes. §He advocating equality among men.

Advocate of western education üHe supported English education. üHe supported introduction of western learning into Indian education. ü He established English school in 1816 and Vedanta college in 1825. ü Modern system of education. Father of Indian journalism ü He believed in the freedom of press. ü His most popular journal “sambad kaumudi”. ü Editor of Mirat-ul-akbar. ü He could express his view in powerful English.

Economic ideas q. He wanted the state intervention to protect the property. q Protect the peasants. Champion of internationalism. q His economic ideas were tinged with liberalism. q He wanted universal religion. q Synthesis of human culture and ideas. q End of imperialism and peaceful co-existence of nations. q Principle of collaboration of man kind.

Reforms through Brahmo Samaj (1930) v It preached monotheism. v It condemned idolatry. v It condemned ritualistic practices. v Fought for the emancipation of women. v Target many evil practices. Champion of nationalism v He believed in the political freedom of man. v He advised Indians to have self-freedom in thought and action.

Synthesis for religion and morality o. He brought a perfect blending between religion and morality. o. He aimed at welfare of the society at large. Love for liberty and constitutionalism o He preferred a constitutional form of government for every nation. o Despotism or autocracy, he hated from the core of his heart. o constitutional government give guarantee of individual freedom.

Educationist § Roy believed education to be an implement for social reform. §In 1817, in collaboration with David Hare, he set up the Hindu college at Calcutta. §In 1822 , Roy founded the Anglo-Hindu school followed four years later(1826) by the Vedanta college §In 1830 , he helped Rev. Alexander Duff in establishing the General Assembly's Institution. §He supported induction of western learning into Indian education.

Reforms in the field of Indian education ØSynthesis of eastern and western culture. ØEnglish education. ØLiterature. ØLanguage. ØWomen education

Relevance of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in Present Time • He wanted to modernize India as early as possible; therefore, he was called the “representative” of the modern age. • Progress and development of social and religious movements. • He made development of education and literature. • Opened schools and colleges at several places. • News papers and books are the medium to propagate his ideals. • Contribution of modern education. • Empowerment of women. • Religious universalism.

CONCLUSION Raja Ram Mohan Roy was not only a social, political economical, religious reformer but also a great educational thinker or reformer. His contribution particularly in the field of education is very praiseworthy and notable. He is the innovator of modern India. Really both Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Brahmosamaj played a significant role in the making of the modern India.

REFERENCES www. freeindia. org/biographies/roy/ www. yourarticlelibrary. com/history/social-reforms-made-by-raja-ram-mohanroy -2/47606/ www. thefamouspeople. com/profiles/raja-ram-mohan-roy-5302 php