Dr. Abhijit Datta
Assistant Professor, Department of History, Islampur College, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal
E-mail: abhijit@islampurcollege.ac.in
Issue: Volume 2 No. 2 (June 2026) Anubodhan
Received: 23 June 2026 / Revised 26 June 2026 / Accepted: 27 June 2026 / Published: 30 June 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n2.2026.088
Abstract
Raja Rammohun Roy was one of the foremost architects of the modern Indian renaissance whose reformist ideas laid the foundation for social, religious, and intellectual transformation in 19th-20th century India. His reforms emerged during a period marked by rigid social customs, religious orthodoxy, and widespread social inequalities. Deeply influenced by rationalism, humanism, and the ideals of the Enlightenment, Rammohun Roy advocated a reinterpretation of Hindu religious traditions through reason and ethical values. He strongly opposed practices such as Sati, child marriage, caste discrimination, and the denial of women’s rights. His relentless campaign against the Sati system significantly contributed to its abolition through the Regulation XVII of 1829 under Governor General William Bentinck. Rammohun Roy also emphasised the importance of women’s education, widow remarriage, and property rights for women, thereby initiating an early discourse on gender equality in colonial India. His intellectual contributions extended to the field of education, where he supported the introduction of Western scientific learning and English education alongside traditional Indian knowledge systems. Through newspapers such as Sambad Kaumudi and Mirat-ul-Akbar, he advocated freedom of expression and public awareness.
The reform movements initiated by Rammohun Roy not only challenged conservative social structures, but also inspired subsequent reformers and nationalist thinkers in India. His synthesis of Eastern spiritual traditions and Western liberal thought played a crucial role in shaping modern Indian society.
Keywords: Social Reform, Brahmo Samaj, Sati Abolition, Women’s Rights, Religious Reform, Indian Renaissance, Rationalism.
How to cite: Datta, A. (2026). Raja Rammohun Roy: Pioneer of Indian Renaissance and Social Transformation. Anubodhan, 2(2), 262–272. https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n2.2026.088