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Introduction
The term Brahmo Samaj interprets devotees of the One Absolute God’s assembly. Brahmo refers to someone who venerates Brahma, the universe’s Absolute Spirit, and Samaj refers to a group of men. As a result, the Brahmo Samaj symbolises a group of individuals who desire to develop spiritual devotion to the Ultimate Being instead of the land’s current idolatry.
The Brahmo Samaj has contributed to India’s renaissance and the development of most of India’s contemporary thought. The primary tenet of the Brahmo Samaj, which was assembled in Calcutta in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, is in one God who is omniscient. The Brahmo faith has spread throughout the world.
Several Factors influence Socio-Religious Reforms.
European Orientalists worked hard to bring India’s beautiful history to light. Perhaps the most fundamental cause was British rule, which profoundly impacted India’s economic, political, social, and cultural life. It produced an environment that encouraged intellectual development.
This may include Sir William Jones, James Princep, Charles Wilkins, Muller, and others. In addition, several Indian intellectuals such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Rajendralal Mitra, M. G. Ranade, and others helped reconstruct India’s history.
The rise of the progressive movement resulted in a burgeoning body of highly imaginative writing. It was distinguished by a wonderful fusion of ancient and contemporary, a great admixture of ancient India’s best literary practices with the best aspects of modern world culture. Renowned academics included Keshav Chandra Sen, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Kashinath Trimbak Telang, and others in this field.
The negative impact of Christian missionaries who believed that spreading religious beliefs in India would benefit Britain’s imperial ambitions and contribute to the empire’s security. Indians viewed it as an attack on their social practices, religion, and heritage. They wished to change it to rid society of harmful social behaviours.
Brahmo Samaj
In August of 1815, Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833) formed the Atmiya Sabha, eventually called Brahmo Samaj in 1828. The Brahmo Samaj’s influence grew, and subsidiaries of the organisation sprung up throughout the country. Debendranath Tagore and Keshab Chandra Sen were Brahmo Samaj’s two most renowned leaders. Keshab Chandra Sen travelled across the Madras and Bombay presidencies and northern India to propagate the Brahmo Samaj message.
It was dedicated to “worshipping and adoring the Inaccessible, Eternal, Unchanging Being who would be the Creator and Keeper of the Universe.”
Meditation techniques, chants, and Upanishads readings were the methods of worship, with no consecrated image, sculptures or statute, carvings, pictures, paintings, or portraiture permitted in the Samaj’s structures emphasising the Samaj’s rejection of idolatry and meaningless rituals. Brahmo Samaj’s long-term purpose was to cleanse Hinduism and promote monotheism.
It was built on the backs of two pillars: reason and the Vedas. The Samaj focused on human integrity, resistance to idolatry, and critique of societal ills like the Sati practice.
When Maharshi Debendranath Tagore joined the Brahmo Samaj in 1843, he breathed new life. Widow remarriage , women’s education and the elimination of promiscuity were all advocated by the Brahmo Samaj.
After being expelled from Brahmo Samaj for his extreme initiatives, Keshab Chandra Sen created Brahmo Samaj of India. He played a key role in popularising the ideology. The Samaj entered a new era of vitality, enthusiasm, and fluency when Keshub Chandra Sen eventually joined it.
The Brahmo Samaj’s Importance
- Condemned polytheism and idolatry
- Samaj has abandoned all belief in divine incarnations
- Refuted the idea that any text might be regarded as having ultimate power over rational thought and conscience
- It was critical of the caste system
- However, it took no firm stance on karma and soul transmutation doctrines
Later, Keshab Chandra Sen’s 13-year-old daughter married a Cooch-Behar prince. Many participants objected to these practices since they were contrary to the principles of the Brahmo Samaj. As a result, they decided to split.
Furthermore, just a handful of them did not accept his “Doctrine of God in Conscience.” As a result, in 1878, Sadharan Brahmo Samaj members got separated. Anand Mohan Bose, Derozian Shib Chandra, Sivnath Shastri, and Vijay Krishna commanded the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj.
Conclusion
The Brahmo Samaj had been a monotheistic group. The Brahmo Sabha was the name given to this organisation initially later changed the name into brahmo samaj in 1830. It condemned polytheism and idolatry. The Brahmo Samaj also abandoned beliefs in divine incarnations. Bengali assemblies in Calcutta in 1828 kicked off the campaign. Ram Mohan Roy played a key role in the movement. Roy went to England as a reformist ambassador in 1831 and died there in 1833.
