Question

With reference to the rise of 'National Consciousness' in India, mention any three contributions of Raja Rammohan Roy.

Answer 1

Hint: The social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy is known as the father of Modern India’s Renaissance. He has founded the Brahmo Samaj and has taken efforts to put an end to the practice of child marriage and the evil practice of Sati.

Complete answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy has made enormous socio religious contributions which had the impetus to bring changes in Indian society.
His major contributions include:
- Establishment of Brahmo Sabha in 1828 which later came to be known as Brahmo Samaj.
- Establishment of Vedanta college in 1825 where courses in Indian learning, as well as Western social sciences and physical sciences were provided.
- His efforts for the emancipation of women and particularly on the abolition of sati and widow remarriage.
- Exposing of irrational religious beliefs and corrupt practices of the Hindus through his book Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhiddin published in 1803
- His campaigns against the evils of caste system, untouchability, superstitions etc.
- His support for the movement for a free press in India through his writings and activities.
- Demanding of fixating minimum rents and the abolition of taxes on tax-free lands.

Note: Raja Ram Mohan Roy was influenced by western modern thoughts and emphasised on rationalism and modern scientific approach. He was also a believer in the social equality of all human beings. He published several works like Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin, Vedanta Gantha, Kena Upanishads, Ishopanishad, Kathopanishad and so forth.