Profile: Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833) in 200 words

He was an influential socio-religious reformer whose works influenced the contemporary politics, administration, education and religion of India during pre-independence.

Some of his achievements are.

1. He established Atmiya Sabha in 1815, which is seen as precursor for socio-religious reforms in Bengal and thereby in India. Through Atmiya Sabha, he campaigned for the rights of women, he started opposing Sati System and Polygamy in Hindus, demanded property inheritance rights for Women.

2. In 1817, he founded Maha Patshala which came be to known as Hindu College at Calcutta. This was re-named as Presidency College in 1855.

3. In 1821, he established Sambad Kaumudi, through which he advocated for freedom of Press, induction of Indians into High ranks and separation of executive and judiciary. He also published a Persian news Magazine the following year named Mirat-ul-Akbar

4. In 1828, he established Brahmo Sabha, along with Dwarkanath Tagore which later became Brahmo Samaj and was influential in bringing various social reforms in India, with the efforts of this Sabha, in 1829, Lord William Bentinck abolished Sati through Regulation XVII.By this time he became a well known figure in India.

5. It was then, Akbar-II gave him the title of “Raja”, Akbar sent him to England to persuade them for the cause of Mughal Emperor, where he died of meningitis in 1833.

Thus was our one of the earliest reformers whose legacy is Brahmo Samaj.