18th -19th Century Reforms and Revolts- Raja ...

18th -19th Century Reforms and Revolts- Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s Brahmo Samaj

Author Name : Bhargaavii Barman

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56025/IJARESM.2025.1302252241

ABSTRACT This paper explores the profound contributions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj to the social, religious, and intellectual reforms in 19th-century India. Often regarded as the Father of the Indian Renaissance, Raja Ram Mohan Roy played a pivotal role in challenging orthodox practices such as Sati and child marriage, advocating for women’s rights, and promoting modern education. The establishment of the Brahmo Samaj provided a platform for religious and social reforms that sought to integrate rational thinking and religious tolerance into Indian society. This paper examines the historical context in which these reforms took place, their immediate impact on Indian society, and how their legacy continues to influence contemporary India. Through analyzing the transformative ideas of Roy and the Brahmo Samaj, the paper highlights the enduring significance of social reforms in shaping modern India’s identity, focusing on the ongoing struggles for equality, secularism, and intellectual development. The study underscores how these reforms laid the foundation for the larger nationalist movements that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.