Mains Daily Question
March 8, 2024
Q3. The contact of the new Indian middle class with the west proved to be a catalyst for socio-religious reforms. In this context, examine the social and religious movements launched by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar. (10M, 150W)
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Approach to the answer: Understanding the question: The question talks about the role played by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar in India’s socio-religious awakening. Here, the statement specifies how both Roy and Vidyasagar were aided with their international awareness and knowledge in carrying out socio-religious movements. Introduction: We can introduce the answer by either briefly mentioning the two personalities or we can state the context of the 18th and 19th century which demanded reforms. Body: The directive used in the question is ‘examine’, thus, we must probe deeper into the topic and bring out the perspective to light. Here, while enlisting in the contributions of both personalities in the second half of the question, we must try and link them with the statement used in the first half. Conclusion: We can conclude by either summarizing the arguments of body section or stating the impact of these two personalities had on socio-religious landscape of India. |
Answer: The late 18th to early 19th century period in India is referred to as ‘Dark Age.’ Religious superstition and social degradation plagued Indian society. However, with modern education and rising international awareness, the time was ripe for socio-religious reforms.
Social and Religious Campaigns/Movements by Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
- Against Orthodox Religious Practices: Opposed polytheism and idol worship, believed in monotheism and rationalism. Translated ancient Hindu texts to support monotheism.
- Atmiya Sabha: Set up society in 1814 to promote monotheistic ideals of Vedanta and campaign against social ills like caste rigidities.
- Impact of Western Rationalism: Believed Vedanta was based on reason and departure from scriptures justified if reason demanded it.
- Brahmo Sabha/Samaj: Founded in 1828 to institutionalize his ideas and mission, worship was through prayers, meditation and readings of the Upanishads. Opposed idolatry and meaningless rituals.
- Against Sati: Crusader against inhuman practice, organized vigilance groups and filed counter petitions. Government Regulation in 1829 declared sati a crime.
- Women’s Status: Condemned subjugation of women, attacked polygamy and demanded inheritance and property rights for women.
Social and Religious Campaigns/Movements by Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar:
- Ideas Blended Indian and Western Thought: Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar’s ideas were a happy blend of Indian and Western thought. For instance, he introduced Western thought in Sanskrit College to break the self-imposed isolation of Sanskritic learning.
- Women’s Education: Vidyasagar campaigned for the cause of women’s education. For instance, as government inspector of schools, he helped organize 35 girls’ schools many of which he ran at his own expense. Also, as secretary of Bethune School (established in 1849), he was one of the pioneers of higher education for women in India.
- Open Gate for Non-Brahmins: In 1850, he became the principal of Sanskrit College. He was determined to break the priestly monopoly of scriptural knowledge, and for this he opened the Sanskrit College to non-brahmins.
- Campaigned Widow’s Remarriage: Vidyasagar started a movement in support of widow remarriage which resulted in legalization of widow remarriage (1856).
- Against Child Marriage and Polygamy: He was also a crusader against child marriage and polygamy.
- Innovator: As an academician, he evolved a new methodology to teach Sanskrit. He also devised a new Bengali primer and evolved a new prose style.
Both Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar were men par excellence. They rose against the common notion of seclusion, viewed internationalism as opportunity, adopted rationalism in their outlook and courageously propagated the ideas of new India.
