Ramtanu Lahiri Biography
Ramtanu Lahiri was a ‘Young Bengal’ leader, a renowned teacher and a social reformer who was one of those educators and intellectuals who paved the way for several social reform movements in Bengal in the 19th century. Thus he played a key role in Bengal renaissance that happened in the latter half of 19th century.
He was born in 1813, as the son of Ramkrishna Lahiri, was a diwan of the Nadia Raj. His primary education was done at village paatshaala till he reached 11. He learnt Arabic, Persian and English from school. Then he came to Kolkata with his elder brother, Keshab Chandra Lahiri. He got a chance to study free at Hare School through the patronage of David Hare. Later he got a scholarship and thus started his college life with Hindu college. It was during his college days at Hindu college, he came under the influence of Derozio, one of the most remarkable educators of Bengal. After completion of studies, he joined the same college as a lecturer in the year 1833 with a slary of 30 rupees per month. In 1846 he moved to Krishnanagar College and later he worked as faculty in several colleges before he retired from Barisal Zila School as headmaster in 1865.
Lahiri cast off his Brahmanical thread and became a Brahmo. He faced severe criticism from the society for this act. But educated people accepted him as a role model and teacher. He has guided many students who became famous later. Lahiri has given significant contributions for the expansion of Brahmoism. One of the direct descendants of Lahiri, Sanat Lahiri, was the first Asian to be president of the International Public Relations Association in 1979.
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Updated: January 10, 2014