Question map
Which one among the following was the primary reason behind the failure of the Young Bengal Movement in Bengal ?
Explanation
The Young Bengal Movement, led by Henry Vivian Derozio in the late 1820s and 1830s, failed primarily because it was too radical for the prevailing social conditions of the time [1]. The Derozians adopted a 'bookish' radicalism that included a total rejection of tradition and an intellectual trend that was not yet ripe for adoption by the broader society [1]. Their ideas, influenced by the French Revolution and Western Enlightenment, lacked a real link with the masses and failed to gain support from other social groups or classes [1]. While they advocated for progressive reforms like the freedom of the press and protection of ryots, their extreme stance against socio-cultural dogmas and orthodox Hindu society alienated the very people they sought to reform [1]. Consequently, the movement remained restricted to a small circle of students and failed to develop into a sustainable mass movement.
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > Young Bengal Movement and Henry Vivian Derozio > p. 213