Question

Which of the following is not a work of Rammohan Roy?

• A. The Precepts of Jesus
• B. Brahma-Puthalika Samvad
• C. Gift to Monotheists
• D. Brahmo Dharma

Answer 1

Answer:

D. Brahmo Dharma

Understanding the Brahmo Samaj and its Leaders

• The Brahmo Samaj was a monotheistic movement founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, initially as the Brahmo Sabha.
• It aimed to purify Hinduism and combat social evils like Sati and polytheism.
• The work 'Brahmo Dharma' (ബ്രഹ്മധർമ്മം) is a significant text of the Brahmo Samaj, but it was primarily authored by Debendranath Tagore.
• Debendranath Tagore, father of Rabindranath Tagore, took over the leadership of the Brahmo Samaj after Raja Ram Mohan Roy's death and played a crucial role in its revitalization and propagation.
• He systematized the doctrines of Brahmoism through works like 'Brahmo Dharma', which contained a compilation of Upanishadic texts and philosophical principles.

Key Works and Contributions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy is often called the 'Father of Indian Renaissance' or 'Father of Modern India'.
• He was a polyglot, proficient in many languages including English, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit.
• His prominent works include:
  • 'Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin' (A Gift to Monotheists) - Written in Persian (1803), it critiqued idol worship and advocated for monotheism.
  • 'Precepts of Jesus, the Guide to Peace and Happiness' (1820) - A collection of moral and ethical principles from the Gospels.
  • 'Sambad Kaumudi' (The Moon of Intelligence) - A Bengali weekly newspaper, started in 1821, which played a crucial role in socio-religious reforms and propagating his ideas.
  • 'Mirat-ul-Akhbar' (The Mirror of News) - A Persian weekly newspaper, started in 1822, reflecting his efforts to promote journalism.
  • He also translated the Vedas and Upanishads into Bengali, Hindi, and English to make ancient Indian philosophical texts accessible.
• Roy was a staunch advocate for the abolition of Sati (widow immolation) and played a pivotal role in its legal prohibition by Lord William Bentinck in 1829.
• He also campaigned for women's rights, including the right to inheritance, and for modern education in India, including Western sciences.
• The title 'Raja' was bestowed upon him by the Mughal Emperor Akbar II, who sent him to England as an envoy to plead for his pension.