27 September - Raja Ram Mohan Roy death anniversary

 

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a prominent Indian social reformer and intellectual who played a crucial role in the 19th-century Bengal Renaissance. Born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar, Bengal (present-day West Bengal, India), he is widely regarded as the "Father of Modern India" and a key figure in India's social, cultural, and educational transformation.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a multifaceted personality who championed various causes and initiated significant reforms. He advocated for social, religious, and educational reforms, promoting ideas of modernity, rationality, and humanism. Some of his major contributions include:

1. Abolition of Sati: Raja Ram Mohan Roy vehemently campaigned against the practice of Sati, which involved the immolation of widows on their husband's funeral pyres. His efforts culminated in the passage of the Bengal Sati Regulation Act in 1829, which outlawed the practice in Bengal.

2. Promotion of Women's Rights: Roy advocated for women's rights and education. He founded the Brahmo Samaj, a reformist movement that aimed to eradicate social evils and promote gender equality.

3. Educational Reforms: Recognizing the importance of education, Roy emphasized the need for modern, scientific, and liberal education. He established the Anglo-Hindu School in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and supported the establishment of Sanskrit College and Hindu College.

4. Religious Reforms: Roy worked towards religious reform and criticized various orthodox practices and rituals. He advocated for monotheism, the abolition of idol worship, and the importance of ethical conduct.

5. Promoting Vernacular Literature: Raja Ram Mohan Roy played a significant role in the promotion of vernacular languages, particularly Bengali. He encouraged the translation of Western works into Bengali, making knowledge accessible to a broader audience.

    

   Raja Ram Mohan Roy passed away on September 27, 1833, in Bristol, United Kingdom. He was 61 years old at the time of his death. Roy had traveled to England for medical treatment, but unfortunately, his condition deteriorated, and he succumbed to his illness.

   Despite his untimely death, Raja Ram Mohan Roy left a lasting impact on Indian society and his contributions to social and educational reforms continue to be celebrated and revered. His legacy as a progressive thinker, social reformer, and champion of human rights remains influential in shaping modern India.