Question map
Consider the following statements relating to Raja Rammohan Roy: I. He knew that the spread of Western education was necessary to develop a national and scientific attitude in the Indian society. II. He played a pioneering role in the religious and social reform movements of nineteenth century Bengal. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Raja Rammohan Roy is widely regarded as the 'father of the Indian Renaissance' and a pioneer of modern India [c1]. Statement I is correct as Roy believed that the spread of Western education, including modern science, technology, and philosophy, was essential to develop a rational and scientific attitude in Indian society [t1, t4]. He supported the establishment of the Hindu College in 1817 and founded a Vedanta College that integrated Indian learning with Western social and physical sciences [c2]. Statement II is also correct; Roy played a pioneering role in the socio-religious reform movements of 19th-century Bengal by founding the Atmiya Sabha and the Brahmo Samaj [c1, t2]. He campaigned vigorously against social evils like Sati, polygamy, and the caste system while advocating for monotheism and women's rights [c2, t1].
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > Socio-Cultural Reform Movements and their Leaders > p. 206
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > Raja Rammohan Roy's Efforts at Social Reform > p. 208
- [3] https://gcwk.ac.in/econtent_portal/ec/admin/contents/91_P18HSC104_2020121408501316.pdf
- [4] https://www.hmc.ox.ac.uk/article/the-indian-connections