( Indian History )BL 4004

Brahmo Samaj, (Sanskrit: “Society of Brahma”)Brahmo also spelled Brahma, theistic movement within Hinduism, founded in Calcutta [now Kolkata] in 1828 by Ram Mohun Roy. The Brahmo Samaj does not accept the authority of the Vedas, has no faith in avatars (incarnations), and does not insist on belief in karma (causal effects of past deeds) or samsara (the process of death and rebirth). It discards Hindu rituals and adopts some Christian practices in its worship. Influenced by Islam and Christianity, it denounces polytheism, image worship, and the caste system. The society has had considerable success with its programs of social reform but has never had a significant popular following.

Whereas Ram Mohun Roy wanted to reform Hinduism from within, his successor, Debendranath Tagore, broke away in 1850 by repudiating Vedic authority and making reason and intuition the basis of Brahmanism. He tried, however, to retain some of the traditional Hindu customs, and a radical group led by Keshab Chunder Sen seceded and organized the Brahmo Samaj of India in 1866 (the older group became known as the Adi—i.e., original—Brahmo Samaj). The new branch became eclectic and cosmopolitan and was most influential in the struggle for social reform. It sponsored the Band of Hope temperance society, encouraged the education of women, and campaigned for the remarriage of widows and for legislation to prevent child marriages. When Keshab arranged for his daughter to marry the Prince of Cooch Behar, both parties were well under age. He was thus violating his own reformist principles, and many of his followers rebelled, forming a third samaj (“society,” “association”), the Sadharan (i.e., common) Brahmo Samaj, in 1878. The Sadharan Samaj gradually reverted to the teaching of the Upanishads and carried on the work of social reform. Although the movement lost force in the 20th century, its fundamental social tenets were accepted, at least in theory, by Hindu society.

It was one of the most influential religious movements in India and made a significant contribution to the making of modern India. It was started at Calcutta on 20 August 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Debendranath Tagore as reformation of the prevailing Brahmanism of the time (specifically Kulin practices) and began the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century pioneering all religious, social and educational advance of the Hindu community in the 19th century. Its Trust Deed was made in 1830 formalising its inception and it was duly and publicly inaugurated in January 1830 by the consecration of the first house of prayer, now known as the Adi Brahmo Samaj.

From the Brahmo Samaj springs Brahmoism, the most recent of legally recognised religions in India and Bangladesh, reflecting its foundation on reformed spiritual Hinduism with vital elements of Judeo-Islamic faith and practice Ram Mohan Roy| Brahmo Samaj: Significance & Objectives Raja Ram Mohan Roy is regarded as Father of Modern India who founded the first religious reform organisation i.e. Brahmo Samaj in 1828.The two most prominent leader of the Brahmo Samaj were Debendranath Tagore and Keshab Chandra Sen.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born in a well-to-do family in Bengal, probably in 1772. He received his traditional Sanskrit learning at Banaras and Arabic and Persian learning at Patna. Later, he learnt English, Greek and Hebrew. He also knew French and Latin. He made a deep study not only of Hinduism but also of Islam, Christianity and Judaism. He wrote a number of books in Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian and English. He started two newspapers, one in Bengali and another in Persian. He was given the title of Raja and sent to England by the Mughal Emperor as his envoy. He reached England in 1831 and died there in 1833. He supported the introduction of English education in India, which was necessary to promote enlightenment and knowledge of science. He was a great believer in the freedom of the press and campaigned for the removal of restrictions on the press. Ram Mohan Roy was convinced that to purify Hindu religion of the evils that had crept into it, it was necessary to bring to the knowledge of the people the original texts of their religion. For this purpose, he took up the hard and patient job of publishing the Bengali translations of the Vedas and Upanishads. He advocated belief in a universal religion based on the principle of one supreme God. He condemned idol-worship and the rites and rituals. Socio-Religious Reform Movements and Reformers in India Brahama Samaj His greatest achievement in the field of religious reform was the setting up of the Brahmo Sabha in 1828 and the Brahmo Samaj was the first important organization of religious reforms. It forbade idol-worship and discarded meaningless rites and rituals. The Samaj also forbade its members from attacking any religion. The greatest achievement in the field of social reform was the abolition of Sati in1829. He had seen how the wife of his elder brother was forced to commit Sati. His campaign against Sati aroused the opposition of the orthodox Hindus who bitterly attacked him. Ram Mohan Roy realized that the practice of sati was due to the extremely low position of Hindu women. He advocated the abolition of polygamy, and wanted women to be educated and given the right to inherit property. The influence of Brahmo Samaj spread and branches of the Samaj were opened in different parts of the country. The two most prominent leader of the Brahmo Samaj were Debendranath Tagore and Keshab Chandra Sen. To spread the message of Brahmo Samaj Keshab Chandra Sen travelled throughout Madras and Bombay presidencies and, later, the northern India. In 1866, there was a split in the Brahmo Samaj when Keshab Chandra Sen and his group held views which were more radical than those of the original Brahmo Samajists. They proclaimed freedom from the bondage of caste and customs, and from the authority of scriptures. They advocated and performed inter-caste marriages and widow remarriages, opposed the custom of purdah and condemned caste divisions. They attacked caste rigidity, started taking their food with the people of the so-called lower castes and other religions, opposed restrictions about food and drink, devoted their life to the spread of education and condemned the old Hindu opposition to sea voyages. This movement influenced similar movements of reforms in other parts of the country. While this group rose in prominence, the influence of the other group, which showed little interest in social reforms, declined.

Brahmo Samaj (Society of God): Raja Rammohan Roy! Born in to a Bengali Brahmin family in 1772, Raja Rammohan Roy worked for East India Company for some time. He was deceived by the Western education and was greatly influenced by it: he felt that Hinduism must be reformed. He visualized a future free from the traditions of Hinduism. His mission was carried on by Dwarakanath Tagore and Kesab Chandra Sen.

The contribution of Raja Rammohan Roy was multi-dimensional. He was an enthusiastic supporter of educational reforms which emphasized western social and physical sciences with English language as the medium of instruction. In social matters he condemned the rigidities of the caste system.

Rammohan Roys views on various issues can be summed up as follows: 1. Rammohan Roy accepted the concept of one God as propounded by the Upanishads. 2. For him, God was shapeless, invisible, omnipresent and omnipotent, and the guiding spirit of the universe and omniscient.

3. In 1828, he founded the Brahmo Sabha which was later renamed Brahmo Samaj.

4. The object of Brahmo Samaj as explained in the trust deed was “the worship and adoration of the Eternal, Unsearchable, Immutable Being who is the Author and Preserver of the Universe”.

5. It out-rightly condemned the practice of idol worship in any form, which was responsible for many evils.

6. There was no place for priesthood in the Samaj nor sacrifices of any kind were allowed. The worship was performed through prayers and meditation and readings from the Upanishads.

7. Great emphasis was laid on promotion of charity, morality, piety, benevolence, virtue, and strengthening of the bonds of union between men of all religious persuasions and creeds.

8. Propagated the ideals of Vedanta and divine monotheism, which was a supreme ideal in Hinduism.

9. Crusade against all outer forms of Hinduism like polytheism, worship of images, ritualistic ceremonies, and superstitious rites. Brahmo Movement Contribution: Despite the schisms and ideological disputes, over a period of time, the Brahmo movements contribution towards Indian renaissance was manifold.

In the field of social reform it discarded many of the established principles and practices as given below: 1. It discarded faith in divine avatars.

2. It denied that any scripture could enjoy the status of ultimate authority transcending human reason and conscience.

3. It denounced polytheism and idol worship.

4. It also criticized the caste system.

5. It took no definite stand on the doctrine of karma and transmigration of soul and left it to individual Brahmos to believe either way.

6. It condemned the prevailing Hind prejudice against going abroad. Worked for a respectable status for women in society by condemning Sati, purdah system, discouraging child marriages, polygamy, and crusaded for widow remarriage, women’s education, etc.

7. It also attacked untouchability and casteism, but with limited success.

Dr.Ajay Kumar Sindhu