17. Identify the following personality and write a short paragraph
on him highlighting his contribution to the Indian national movement
Answers
a) Person in the given picture is Raja Rammohan Roy. In 1828, he founded the Brahmo Sabha, which was later renamed as Brahmo Samaj.
b) The Brahmo Samaj which was founded by him condemned idol worship, and laid emphasis on prayer, meditation, morality and strengthening the bonds of unity between men of all religions and creeds. Hew as against the rigidity of the caste system. He protested against the restrictions on the freedom of Press.
c) The socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century were great pioneers of Indian nationalism. The impact of western education, which led to a rational, humanitarian and scientific approach to life, made the educated Indians realise the need to reform their religion and society. These movements touched almost every segment of Indian society. In the social sphere these movements worked for the abolition of caste system, child marriage, dowry system, purdah system, sati and infanticide. In the religious sphere, these reform movements combated religious superstitions, attacked idolatry, polytheism and hereditary priesthood. These movements fought for individual liberty and social equality.
Prominent reform movements were Brahmo Samaj (founded by Raja Rammohan Roy), Arya Samaj (founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati), Ramakrishna Mission (founded by Swami Vivekanand) and Satya Shodhak Samaj (founded by Jyotiba Phule.