Raja Rammohan Roy Exploration of Multidimensionality

e - ISBN : 978-1-68576-488-3
Print ISBN : 978-1-68576-473-9
Publisher: Iterative International Publishers (IIP), Selfypage Developers Pvt Ltd.
Publication date: 2024

DOI  : https://www.doi.org/10.58532/RRREMB1

Chapter – I Introduction

Cross-Currents of Unitarian Thought in the West: Rammohan Roy’s Reimagining of Belief

Raja Rammohan Roy: The Father of Modern Indian Renaissance

Enlightened Minds and Diverse Paths: Comparative Analysis of Raja Rammohan Roy and Influential Figures in Indian History

Contribution of Raja Rammohan Roy Towards the Development of Modern Education in India

Chapter – II Educational Enlightenment: Rammohan’s Impact

Socio-Educational and Philosophical Approach of Raja Rammohan Roy in Reformation

Raja Rammohan Roy's Enduring Legacy: Advancing Women's Education in 19th-Century India and Its Contemporary Relevance

The Architect of Enlightenment: Raja Ram Mohan Roy's Influence on Modern Education and Women's Empowerment

Raja Rammohan Roy’s Contribution of Women Education and its Present Relevance

Raja Rammohun Roy: The Precursor of Social, Cultural and Educational Reformer- A Qualitative Descriptive Review

Chapter – III Social Transformations: Rammohan’s Advocacy

Raja Rammohan Roy: The Father of the Indian Renaissance and his Thoughts on Social Change

Raja Rammohan Roy's Pivotal Role in the abolition of Sati System and Catalysing Social Reforms

Raja Rammohan Roy: Pioneer of Socio-Political Reform Colonial India

Up to the Minute: Sketching the Role of Raja Rammohan Roy on advancement of Society and Women’s Empowerment

Role of Raja Rammohan Roy in Shaping Modern Indian Society

Chapter - IV Political Ideals: Rammohan’s Influences

Bengal Renaissance, Raja Rammohun Roy and the Marxist Critics: An Evaluation in the Historical Perspective

Socio-Political Thinking of Raja Rammohan Roy

Raja Rammohan Roy: Pioneer Indian Liberalism

Chapter - V Empowering Women: Rammohan’s Progressive Stance

Raja Rammohan Roy's Vision for Gender Equality - Empowering Women through Social Reform and Education in India: A Prospective Study

Raja Rammohan Roy as a Champion of Women Rights

Raja Rammohan Roy's Legacy: Pioneering Human Rights and Women's Empowerment

Empowering Women in a Patriarchal Society: Raja Rammohan Roy’s Struggles and Triumphs

Contributions of Raja Rammohan Roy to establish human rights and women empowerment

Chapter - VI Economic Perspectives: Rammohan’s Legacy

Raja Rammohun Roy’s Economic Thought in Modern India

Chapter - VII Religious Reforms: Rammohan’s Vision

A Critically Study of Raja Rammohan Roy's Philosophy of Religion

AIM & SCOPE

In this dark gloom of India's degeneration, Rammohun rose up, a luminous star in the firmament of India's history, with prophetic purity of vision and unconquerable heroism of soul. He shed radiance all over the land; he rescued us from the penury of self-oblivion”. (This address was delivered by Rabindranath Tagore as President of the Preliminary Meeting of the Rammohun Roy Centenary held at the Senate House, Calcutta, on 18 February 1933). In the History of India, the 19th century had witnessed a remarkable transformation in the social ideas. Age old system of burning of widow in her dead husband’s funeral pyre, so called ‘Sati system’, which existed in India was abolished due to the effort of Raja Ram Mohan Roy. He was the founder of Brahmo Samaj (1828) and he also played a vital role in the abolition of Polygamy and Child marriage in India. Multifaceted social, religious and educational reformer is considered as the Father of Indian Renaissance. In the year 2022, his 250th birthday, which fell on May 22, passed largely unnoticed and through this edited book a serious effort is made to revive his legacy through a re-evaluation of the remarkable life he lived. In our current edited book, we have brought together Seven contributed chapters (containing twenty-four articles) from some leading educationists and researcher. In This edited book not only discusses the contribution of Raja Rammohan and his philosophy of life, but also the influence of Rammohan on the life and philosophy of the entire Indian people remains relevant in today’s world. That multidimensionality has emerged in the thoughts of authors in our present book. Throwing sons into the Ganges, the fight against sati-immolation is actually a fight against falsehood and corruption. By winning the war and establishing the truth, Rammohan was able to build a new India. India's renaissance began. This is specifically discussed at the very beginning of the book in Chapter-I, on “Introduction”. All kinds of misinterpretations, misconceptions and fallacies from the society can be removed only by proper education. Due to his foresight and vowed to reform educational system, the darkness of ignorance has been removed from the human mind and consciousness has been enlightened by the light of knowledge. Why and what was the purpose of his educational reforms is discussed in the Chapter-II, on “Educational Enlightenment: Rammohan’s Impact”. Rammohan's greatest achievement was his movement to abolish the heinous and cruel practice of satiimmolation. Chapter-III on “Social Transformations: Rammohan’s Advocacy” describes the history of sati-immolation, its religious misinterpretation and brutality. Each of the reforms that Rammohan undertook in his versatile life began at a particular time. But there was another aspect of his life that has remained almost entirely out of discussion. If Rammohan's career is divided into two parts, it will be seen that the first phase of his life is not discussed, but this first phase is the basis of the second phase of his life. In the earlier life, Rammohan joined the East India Company as a clerk and promoted to the rank of Dewan, which denoted a native officer tasked with revenue collection. He estimated that around half of the total revenue collected in India was sent to England. Between 1810 and 1820, he published numerous works on a wide range of subjects including religion and politics. This untold period is discussed in the Chapter-IV on “Political Ideals: Rammohan’s Influences”. In the Chapter-V, “Empowering Women: Rammohan’s Progressive Stance” present Rammohan’s pioneering thought and action on the liberty of women and especially on the abolition of sati-immolation and supported widow remarriages. He also struggled for the empowerment of women and argued against the law that deprived women of their right to inherit property. The tremendous significance of the liberal ideals of Rammohan about economic policies are discussed in the Chapter-VI, “Economic Perspectives: Rammohan’s Legacy”. Rammohan’s competency in several languages and his in-depth understanding of Hindu scriptures, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity enabled him to cultivate universal model for humanity. Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s first published work, Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin (1804), a treatise written in Persian, exposed irrational religious beliefs. In the last Chapter-VII, “Religious Reforms: Rammohan’s Vision”, comprehensively discuss his comparative perspective on religious thoughts. We hope that this book will benefit a wide range of educationists, researchers, students, social workers and common people. In this edited book we will analyse in detail of Rammohan’s various facets of his life as a socio, economic, religious, political and educational reformer. The enormous contributions of Raja Rammohan Roy to modern India are worthy, hence he is considered as the “Father of modern India”. He strove to improve the status of women in India. His idea of worship of the only one eternal God i.e., monotheistic doctrine in religion propagating the idea of unity of all religions. The tomb of renowned Indian social reformer Raja Rammohan Roy, located in the Arnos Vale Cemetery on the outskirts of Bristol, was built by Dwarkanath Tagore in 1843, after Rammohun’s death due to meningitis in Bristol on September 27, 1833. The British government has named a street in Bristol as ‘Raja Ram Mohan Way’ in his memory. We want to thank the contributing authors for their excellent contributions. Finally, we thank Iterative International Publishers in completing this book project. We are thankful to our President, Governing Body of Rammohan College for her encouragement. We are very much indebted to our Principal Madam for her constant suggestions and support. We extend our sincere gratitude to Sir Saktipada Patra, recipient of the Bangaratna, for his contribution to the book as the author of the foreword. We gratefully acknowledge Prof. Nandita Dasgupta and Mrs. Samita Das of Raja Rammohun Roy Memorial Museum for their help and support. We are also very much thankful to Dr. Abhijit Guha, Associate Professor, Ramakrishna Mission Sikshanamandira, Belur Math, for his support. We want to thank the contributing authors for their excellent contributions. Finally, we thank Iterative International Publishers for completing this book project

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. Madhab Ghosh
Assistant Professor
Department of Education, Rammohan
College, 102/1 & 85A, 85B, 85C, 85D-Raja Rammohan Sarani, Kolkata-700009
West Bengal,India

Dr. Samiran Mondal
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry, Rammohan
College, 102/1 & 85A, 85B, 85C, 85D-Raja Rammohan Sarani, Kolkata-700009
West Bengal, India

Mr. Jagoda Roy
Assistant Professor
Department of Philosophy, Rammohan
College, 102/1 & 85A, 85B, 85C, 85D-Raja Rammohan Sarani, Kolkata-700009
West Bengal, India