Best History Notes on Social Reformers available for BPSC and for other Competitive Exams aspirants in 2025
History-14
Here is a detailed explanation of the Social Reformers — Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar — for BPSC/UPSC Mains (GS Paper I / Ethics / Bihar Special). Their reforms addressed issues like women’s rights, education, caste system, and superstition, laying the foundation of modern Indian society.
Social Reformers in 19th Century India
The 19th century was marked by a renaissance in Indian society, challenging regressive customs through education, rationality, and reformist movements. Two of the most influential figures in this transformation were:
1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833)
Background:
- Born in Bengal Presidency (now West Bengal) in a Brahmin family
- Well-versed in Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, and English
- Deeply influenced by Western liberalism and Indian Vedanta
Major Contributions:
A. Abolition of Sati (1829)
- Campaigned vigorously against the inhuman practice of Sati
- Published articles, submitted petitions to the British government
- Instrumental in Lord William Bentinck passing the Sati Regulation Act, 1829
B. Promotion of Modern Education
- Advocated for English education with a focus on science, rationality, and human rights
- Established Anglo-Hindu School (1822) and Vedanta College (1825)
C. Religious Reform – Brahmo Samaj (1828)
- Founded the Brahmo Samaj to promote monotheism, rational thinking, and ethical living
- Opposed idol worship, caste discrimination, and rituals
- Promoted inter-faith harmony and social equality
D. Women’s Rights
- Supported widow remarriage, women’s education, and property rights for women
- One of the first modern Indian feminists
E. International Recognition
- Known as the ‘Father of Indian Renaissance’
- Admired by Western thinkers for bridging Indian tradition with Enlightenment ideas
2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820–1891)
Background:
- Born in Midnapore, Bengal; humble Brahmin background
- A brilliant student at Sanskrit College, Kolkata
- Earned the title ‘Vidyasagar’ (Ocean of Knowledge)
Major Contributions:
A. Widow Remarriage Movement
- Campaigned for the legalisation of widow remarriage
- Faced strong orthodox opposition
- Resulted in the passing of the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, 1856
B. Education for Girls
- Opened many schools for girls in Bengal (including in tribal and lower caste areas)
- Believed that social reform begins with education
- Introduced vernacular education (Bengali) in schools
C. Modernisation of Bengali Language
- Reformed Bengali prose and typography
- Wrote and simplified textbooks for school education
- Authored ‘Borno Porichoy’, a Bengali primer still used today
D. Against Polygamy and Child Marriage
- Criticised social evils like child marriage, polygamy, and caste rigidity
- Promoted reason, compassion, and gender equality
Comparison Chart: Ram Mohan Roy vs. Vidyasagar
| Aspect | Raja Ram Mohan Roy | Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar |
| Birth | 1772, Bengal | 1820, Bengal |
| Main Focus | Religious reform, women’s rights | Social reform, education |
| Key Movement | Brahmo Samaj (1828) | Widow Remarriage Act (1856) |
| Education | Promoted Western education | Focused on vernacular & women’s education |
| Major Reform | Abolition of Sati (1829) | Widow Remarriage, Girls’ Education |
| Legacy | Father of Indian Renaissance | Reformer of Bengali society and language |
Relevance for Civil Services
Ethics & GS Paper I:
- These reformers laid the foundation of modern Indian consciousness
- Inspired later leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar
- Showed how individual moral courage can change entrenched societal norms
For Bihar and Bengal Special:
- Both leaders worked largely in Bengal Presidency, influencing Bihar’s social landscape
- Their educational reforms extended to schools and girls’ education in Bihar as well
Mains Answer Framework (BPSC/UPSC)
“Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar were torchbearers of India’s social awakening. Roy used rationalism and liberalism to challenge religious orthodoxy, while Vidyasagar combined traditional scholarship with humanism to reform society. Their efforts in eradicating sati, promoting widow remarriage, and advancing education were foundational to the modern Indian social fabric.”
Keywords for Mains:
- Brahmo Samaj, Sati Abolition, Widow Remarriage Act 1856, Women’s education, Bengali Renaissance, Social justice, Rational reformism
Concise and Important