Examine the role of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in the reform of Hindu society. How did his thoughts on monotheism and rationalism challenge the orthodox religious practices of his time?

Answer: 

Approach to the answer:

The question discusses Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s contributions to India’s socio-religious awakening. Here, the declaration details how Roy and Vidyasagar’s global awareness and expertise helped them to carry out socio-religious initiatives.

Introduction: To begin, we can either give a brief overview of the two figures or explain how the 18th and 19th centuries necessitated reforms.

• For Example: Known as the “Dark Age,” religious superstition and social decay afflicted Indian civilization from the late 18th to the early 19th century. However, with the advent of modern education and increased global consciousness, the time was right for socio-religious changes.

Body: Since “examine” is the directive employed in the question, we must delve deeper into the subject and highlight the viewpoint. Here, we must attempt to connect the statements from the first half of the question with the contributions of both individuals in the second half.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s Movements: Opposition to Orthodox Religious Practices believed in monotheism and reason, and opposed idolatry and polytheism. Ancient Hindu writings were translated in favor of monotheism. 

• In order to combat social evils like caste rigidities and advance the monotheistic principles of Vedanta, the Atmiya Sabha was established in 1814. 
• Western rationality had an impact since it was thought that Vedanta was founded on reason and that deviations from the scriptures were acceptable when they were warranted.

Conclusion: We can either summarize the points made in the body part or discuss how these two figures influenced India’s socioreligious milieu. 

• Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and Raja Ram Mohan Roy were both exceptional men. They rebelled against the prevalent sense of isolation, saw internationalism as a chance, embraced realism in their thinking, and fearlessly spread the concepts of the new India.

Practice Question:

Question: How did Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar’s works converge on the issue of women’s status in society? Discuss their specific contributions to improving women’s rights in 19th-century India.

Keywords: women’s rights, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, women’s education, inheritance rights, polygamy

MCQs

Question:Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj? (2012)

1. It opposed idolatry.
2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts.
3. It popularized doctrine that the Vedas are infallible.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: b

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