Raja Ram Mohan Roy Biography 
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was one of the greatest sons of India and his position is always ranked first, if we count the contributions given by a particular person to his motherland – India. He fought against superstitions and social injustice that existed in Indian society about two centuries back and abolished the greatest evils – Sati and Child Marriage. He strived hard for the equality of woman and he was success also. No doubt, he was the greatest person ever born on India! He was an Indian religious, social, and educational reformer. Yet he challenged traditional Hindu culture and its customs and indicated the lines of progress for Indian society under British rule. He was one among those great leaders of India who started cultural renovation of India. He founded Brahma Samaj with the help of Dwarkanath Tagore in 1828. He co-founded Calcutta Unitarian Society. He preached about the unity of God and made early translations of Vedic scriptures into English. He propagated the need of educating the women and the learning of the English language. He was the greatest reformer in the history of India.
Roy was born in a Bengali Hindu family in Visnagar in Bengal on May 22, 1772. His father Ramkanto Roy was a Vaishnavite, while his mother Tarinidevi was from a Shaivite family. Thus religious diversity existed in his family itself and both his parents wanted to choose a career for their kid according to their personal beliefs. But he had his own views and thinking and never followed the concept of idol worship and the conservative rituals of the Hindus. So he faced criticism from his orthodox family itself. He then left home and travelled across Himalayas and Tibet and returned only after a long journey. He was compelled to marry by his parents. They thought he will change. But Roy left home, went to Varanasi and studied all the Vedas, Upanishads and the Hindu Philosophy in detail. He returned home with the demise of his father and decided to do business as well.
But again, he changed his ways. He founded Brahma Samaj and rose against inequalities against women and strongly criticized the superstitions related to Hindu religion. When we draw the cultural and social map of India, Raja Ram’s position is of course at the top. He was able to abolish two worst customs prevailed in the society at a time when India was blind in religious beliefs. It’s deserves true appreciation for sure.
Published: N/A
Updated: October 17, 2013
