Q.) Raja Ram Mohan Roy is often called the "Father of Modern India." Justify this title with reference to his socio-religious and intellectual contributions. (RAS)

Answer:

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833) is regarded as the first great figure to bridge the traditional and modern worlds in India. He was among the earliest Indians to question outdated social customs, blind ritualism and religious orthodoxy through the use of reason and modern education. His work in social reform, religious renewal and intellectual awakening laid the foundation for the modernisation of Indian society.

Social Contribution

1. Campaign against Sati: He carried out a long campaign against Sati through public persuasion and petitions, leading the government to finally ban the practice in Bengal in 1829.
2. Support for women's rights: He spoke out for women's right to property and inheritance, and opposed polygamy and child marriage, writing tracts defending a widow's right to her husband's property. 
3. Opposition to caste rigidity: He criticised the caste system for dividing society, and encouraged inter-dining among people of different castes at his own gatherings.

Religious Contribution

1. Founding of Brahmo Samaj: In 1828, he founded the Brahmo Samaj to reform Hindu religion by removing idol worship and ritualism, holding prayer meetings based only on readings from the Upanishads.
2. Criticism of idolatry and ritualism: He rejected polytheism, idol worship and priestly domination, writing Bengali and Persian tracts directly challenging orthodox priests on this issue. 
3. Comparative study of religions: He studied Hinduism, Islam and Christianity closely, writing 'The Precepts of Jesus' to draw out Christ's moral teachings while setting aside the miracles.
4. Belief in religious tolerance: He held that all religions shared a common ethical core, and maintained friendly exchanges with Christian missionaries and Muslim scholars alike.

Intellectual Contribution

1.  Advocate of Western education: In his 1823 letter to Lord Amherst, he opposed spending on Sanskrit colleges and urged support for English education in science and modern subjects.
2. Founding of educational institutions: He helped establish institutions combining Western learning with Indian philosophy, supporting the Anglo-Hindu School and later the Vedanta College. 
3. Contribution to press and public opinion: He used the press to spread rational thought, starting the Sambad Kaumudi in Bengali and the Mirat-ul-Akhbar in Persian. 
4. Rational and scientific outlook: He encouraged science and logical reasoning over blind faith, promoting the teaching of mathematics and astronomy in the schools he supported.
5. Political awareness: He was among the first Indians to speak on constitutional issues, giving evidence before the British Parliament and pressing for freedom of the press.

Conclusion

♦ Raja Ram Mohan Roy's work touched almost every sphere of Indian life, from social customs and religious belief to education and public opinion. He did not merely criticise the old order but offered a rational and constructive path forward. It is this rare combination of reform, reason and vision that justifies his title as the 'Father of Modern India.'