Yugapurush Rammohan: Pioneer and Preventer/ যুগপুরুষ রামমোহন : প্রবর্তক ও নিবর্তক

Abstract

Raja Rammohan Roy, one of the renowned thinkers who played a leading role in social reform in the 19th century, He wanted to awaken the consciousness of the nation by appearing in a caste-based country full of cosmopolitan fanaticism and prejudice. According to Rabindranath, he was a globalist (‘Biawapathik’). His attitude towards everything, such as religion, was mainly guided by his humanistic outlook. Adopting Vedanta's Brahmanism, Rammohan created the foundation of his own ideas, dharma prachar, social reform, all associated with his discourses.  But it should be remembered that, he knew that, in order to get something, it is necessary to have a rational sense of why to get it in the recipient, then only that person and then his behavior can be properly treated. Even though he himself was a Sanskrit scholar and a wise person he opposed the establishment of Sanskrit college and Sanskrit education. But this opposition should not be taken as ideological opposition to Sanskrit. Because he understood that, if the countrymen were not educated in Western education, it was not possible to progress. The Sanskrit education of the nineteenth century would not be fruitful for Indians personally and for their livelihood. Englishman as well as the East India Company who took the responsibility of ruling India, needed to learn English to keep up with them, but he was in favor of modernity while respecting the Indian tradition and culture. Together with these two way, the path of human progress will be widened. He also took strong steps to protect the rights of women as well as the freedom of expression. All this came in the context of his refined thoughts. At the same time, one thing must be very consciously remembered that, Rammohan did not stop at just realizing or expressing his ideas and realizations. A large part of Rammohan's reform movement covered with the wellness of women.  He raised the question of rights and was concerned about the rights of women in subject property. Rammohan played the role of simultaneous promoter and detractor in various fields such as Dharma Samaj Act etc.