Publication Type: Edited Book
ISHWAR CHANDRA VIDYASAGAR: A SOCIAL REFORMER AND PIONEER OF HUMANISM
Book Name: দ্বি-শতবর্ষের আলোকে ঈশ্বরচন্দ্র বিদ্যাসাগর (Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in the Light of Two Hundred Years)|
Authors: Dr. Rubi Das (Chakraborty)
Keywords: educationist, social reformer, philanthropist and pioneer of humanism, Renaissance, rationalism
Area/Stream: Language, literature and linguistics / Language / Others
Published in: IIP Series
Volume: 4, Month:July ,Year:2025
Page No.: 137-142
e-ISBN: 978-93-7020-770-7
DOI/Link: https://www.doi.org/10.58532/nbennurICVLSW19
Abstract:
Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, born Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay (1820–1891), was a significant figure in India's Renaissance in the nineteenth century. He was a polymath, an educationist, social reformer, philanthropist and pioneer of humanism. He was awarded the title of Vidyasagar, meaning "sea of knowledge," due to his vast erudition. Vidyasagar dedicated his life to women's empowerment and prosperity through education and social reforms. He was also known as "dayar sagar" in Bengali, meaning "ocean of kindness." He was the father of the modern Bengali school system, textbooks, and press. Despite being influenced by Western knowledge, rationalism, and Renaissance ideals, he remained true to his native identity and challenged colonizers when necessary. Vidyasagar is called the pioneer of the Indian Renaissance. Needless to say, the Indian Renaissance was influenced by the European Renaissance. The Renaissance began in Europe in the fifteenth-sixteenth centuries. This renaissance or humanist movement began with the opposition to the concept of God and the Church and based on the judgment that ―what is irrational, what is not supported by evidence is excluded‖. It was completely free from religion – secular His main point was people. His main focus was people. He sang the victory song of human values. Until then, the concept of social values that guided people, was the main theme – ―Man is God's creation‖. So if you love people, you can love God, you can go to God. Human values are guided by these values. This is the common humanity. But the values by which humanism is guided are essentially secular, based on the denial of the supernatural. His main point was that ―people are the truth, people are above all‖.
Cite this: Dr. Rubi Das (Chakraborty),"ISHWAR CHANDRA VIDYASAGAR: A SOCIAL REFORMER AND PIONEER OF HUMANISM ", দ্বি-শতবর্ষের আলোকে ঈশ্বরচন্দ্র বিদ্যাসাগর (Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in the Light of Two Hundred Years)|,IIP Series, Volume 4, July , 2025, Page no.137-142, e-ISBN: 978-93-7020-770-7, DOI/Link: https://www.doi.org/10.58532/nbennurICVLSW19
