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Ram Mohan Roy (May 22, 1772-September 27, 1833)
was the founder of the Brahmo Samaj, one of the first Hindu reform movements. His remarkable influence was apparent in the fields
of politics, public administration and education as well as religion.
In the history of social reform in India, Ram Mohan Roy's name will always be remembered in connection with the abolition of
sati (the immolation of widows). Ram Moham Roy also made people aware of the fact that polygamy, which was extremely prevalent in
his day, was in fact contrary to Hindu law. On the authority of Hindu lawgivers he pointed out that it was only under specific
circumstances (eg if a woman is barren or has an incurable disease) that a man was permitted to take a second wife while the
first was still alive.
In the social, legal and religious reforms that he advocated, Roy was moved primarily by considerations of humanity. He took
pains to show that he was not out to destroy the best traditions of the country, but was merely brushing away some of the
impurities that had gathered on them in the days of decadence. He repeatedly declared that he had no intention of breaking away
from the religion of his ancestors. He only wished to restore it to its original purity. Accordingly, he insisted on the
authority of the Vedas, Upanishads and
the Brahma Sutras. He condemned
idolatry in the strongest terms. He stated that according to the Hindu scriptures, the best means of achieving bliss was through
pure spiritual contemplation on and worship of the Supreme Being, and that sacrificial rites were intended only for persons of
less subtle intellect.
Not long after the death of Ram Mohan Roy, the Brahmo Samaj split into two groups because of the differing ideologies of its
leaders. Debendranath
Tagore became the leader of the Adi Brahmo Samaj and Keshab Chandar Sen the leader of the Brahmo Samaj of India. However, both groups failed to win large-scale popular
support, and today their force is almost spent. It should be noted, however, that the Brahmo Samaj undoubtedly heralded the
beginning of the Hindu renaissance, paving the way for other movements.
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