Who was Raja Rammohun Roy?
- Raja Rammohun Roy was a significant leader and thinker in early 19th century India.
- He is often called the “Father of the Indian Renaissance” because of his efforts to bring about social and educational reforms.
Founding of Brahmo Sabha:
- In 1828, Raja Rammohun Roy founded a group called the Brahmo Sabha in Calcutta (now Kolkata), which later became known as the Brahmo Samaj.
- The Brahmo Samaj was a movement that aimed to reform society by focusing on social and religious practices that needed change.
Focus on Social Reforms:
- One of the main issues Raja Rammohun Roy targeted was the practice of Sati. Sati was a cruel and inhumane tradition where a widow was compelled to sacrifice herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.
- He used arguments based on reason and moral principles to convince people that Sati was wrong and needed to be abolished.
Advocacy for Women’s Rights:
- Raja Rammohun Roy was a strong advocate for the education and equality of women.
- He believed that for society to progress, women needed to be educated and treated as equals to men.
- His efforts included arguing for the right of women to inherit property and participate more fully in society.
Impact of His Reforms:
- The work of Raja Rammohun Roy led to significant changes in Indian society.
- His campaigning against Sati contributed to the official ban of the practice by the British government in 1829.
- His ideas about women’s education paved the way for more schools for girls and greater acceptance of women’s roles in public life.
