Raja Ram Mohan Roy : Birth Anniversary

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s 250th birthday was commemorated on May 22nd this year.

Early Life
- Place of Birth – On 22 May, 1772 in Radhanagar (Bengal Presidency).
- Circumstance he was born – In an orthodox Brahman family
Early Education
- Ram Mohan Roy received his early education in Patna, where he studied Persian and Arabic and read the Quran, Sufi mystic poets’ writings, and Arabic translations of Plato and Aristotle’s works.
- He studied Sanskrit and perused the Vedas and Upnishads in Banaras
Ideology
- Ram Mohan Roy was heavily inspired by Western modern ideas, emphasizing rationalism and current scientific methods.
- He was against
  - Religious orthodoxy
  - Polytheism
  - Idol worship
  - Oppression of women
- Supported
  - Social Equality
  - Monotheism
  - Women Empowerment

In England, he represented Akbar II and argued for his pension and allowances. He was given the title of ‘Raja’ by Akbar II.

He was opposed to the practice of sati and R.R Mohan Roy’s efforts resulting in the 1829 Abolition of Sati Act.
He argued for women’s inheritance and property rights.
He opposed polygamy and child marriage, which were common at the time.
He advocated for women’s education because he believed that education was the only way for women to achieve social equality with men.

Civil Liberties – He advocated the British authorities to give civil liberties to Indian people .
Press Freedom – He backed the campaign for a free press in India by his writings and activism.
Taxation – He denounced Bengali zamindars’ exploitative practices and requested that minimum rents be set. He also urged that taxes on tax-free lands be abolished.
Administration – He urged that superior services be Indianized and that the executive and judiciary be separated. He advocated that Indians and Europeans be treated equally.

1814 – In order to campaign against idol worship, pointless rituals, and superstitious beliefs, Atmiya Sabha was founded.
1817 – Founded Hindu College at Calcutta along with David Hare
1821 – The Calcutta Unitarian Committee, co-founded by William Adam and Rammohun Roy, aimed to gather together prominent Brahmins who were Roy’s friends and supporters of his religious monotheistic and social reform programme.
1822 – He established an Anglo-Hindu school where mechanics and Voltaire’s ideas were taught.
1825 – He founded Vedanta College, where he taught Indian learning as well as Western social and physical sciences.
1828 – He created the ‘Brahma Sabha’
1830 – He helped Alexander Duff establish the General Assembly’s Institution, which eventually became the Scottish Church College.

Content Source : PIB