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Know About the Founder of Brahmo Samaj: Raja Ram Mohan Roy History, Biography, Works & More
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 11th, 2023
Know about the Founder of Brahmo Samaj: Raja Ram Mihum Roy was the founder of the Brahmo Samaj in India. He was a social reformer who started the Brahmo Sabha which later became Brahmo Samaj. Due to his influences in the field of politics, education, administration, and various efforts against the “Sati Pratha” he was given the title of Raja by the Mughal Emperor Akbar II and was famously referred to as the “Father of Bengal Renaissance in India” and “Herald of New Age”
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Biography of Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born in the year 1772 at Radhanagar, Hooghly, Bengal. Born in the family of noble Brahmin, he was a great scholar of Sanskrit, English, and Persian literature and also knew Latin, Greek, and Arabic. Being from a wealthy and well-educated family, he was torn between his parental ideas in which one wants him to be a great scholar while the other parent wants him to excel in the field of public administration. Due to this, Ram Mohan Roy was always in conflict with what to do for the rest of his life. His entire life was devoted to the welfare of society, women, and education. He died in the year 1833 at age 61 because of Meningitis and was buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery in southern Bristol.
Family and Children of Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Raja Ram Mohan married three times. From his first wife who died early, he has one son Radha Prasad (Born: 1800). and another son RamaPrasad (Born 1812) from his second wife who also died early.
Known Work done by Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Raja Ram Mohan Roy has had a great impact on Indian history. He was well known because of his translation of Vedas and Upanishad in various languages. He realized the importance of education and the impact of religion and religious text on people and keeping this in mind he has established various schools. He is the founding member of Brahmo Samaj and Calcutta Unitarian Society. The purpose of establishing a number of schools was to replace the Sanskrit Based Education system with the English System so that each and every person was able to get educated in one common language. On a religious point, he believed that there is only one supreme god and thus promoted this belief by founding Brahmo Samaj and condemning various ritual practices and Idol worship.
Brahmo Samaj:
The Brahmo Samaj was founded by Raja Ram Mohan on a fundamental principle that there is always an infinite singularity or Single Author and preserver of existence whose love is manifest everywhere and in everything. According to the Brahmo Samaj, every being is created from the singularity and only that singularity can be loved or worshipped. The following doctrine must be followed by Brahmo (follower of Brahmo Samaj)
- Do not have faith or worship any sculpture
- Do not have faith in Avatars
- No Idol worship
- No caste restrictions
- A Brahmo must reject superstition.
- Followers must reject any totalitarianism.
Social Reform of Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was well known for his efforts and campaign against “Sati Pratha” (the practice of burning widow ) or child marriage. For his campaign and efforts, he was criticized and attacked by the Orthodox. Apart from this he campaigned against polygamy, dowry and raise awareness for the education of women. His campaign and movements influenced other movements in various parts of the country.
Educational Reforms of Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Apart from religious and social reforms, Raja Ram Mohan Roy has also made a significant contribution to the field of education in Bengal. He established a number of schools across Bengal some of which are listed below:
- Hindu College, Calcutta in the year 1817
- Scottish Church College, Calcutta in 1830
- Anglo Hindu College
- Vedanta College
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a great believer in new methods of teaching and always supported the introduction of western learning methods in India. For his educational reform, he had received both constant objection and support from various known people like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. He has translated various religious texts like Vedas and Upanishad into different languages.
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