Brahmo Samaj: Founder, History and Objectives

The Brahmo Samaj founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828 in Calcutta. It aimed to purify Hinduism and promote monotheism. They oppose practices like sati, caste discrimination, child marriage, and idolatry. The Brahmo Samaj was a socio-religious reform movement that marked the beginning of modern Indian awakening. Raja Rammohan Roy also known as the Father of the Indian Renaissance influenced by rationalism and Upanishadic thoughts.

He was also a prolific writer and a pioneer of Indian journalism. He wrote many books like Sambad Kaumudi (1821), Mirat-ul-Akbar (1822), The Brahmanical Magazine (1821). Over the period of time, leaders like Debendranath Tagore and Keshub Chandra Sen expanded and diversified the ideological base of the Brahmo Samaj movement. Later stages in the Brahmo Samaj saw internal differences that led to splits into Adi Brahmo Samaj and Brahmo Samaj of India.

The title of Raja was awarded to Ram Mohan Roy by the then Mughal Emperor Akbar-II in 1831. The Calcutta Unitarian Committee was established by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Dwarkanath Tagore and William Adam. Raja Ram Mohan Roy strongly opposed the Jury Act of 1826. Mohan Roy translated the Vedas and Upanishads into Bengali. He wrote "Gift to Monotheism" in 1809 in Persian and "Precepts of Jesus" in 1820.

• It began reforming Hinduism. It objected to the futile and illogical practices of the time, like sati, early marriage, purdah, untouchability, etc.
• It criticised the caste system and denied the need for a priestly class to perform the rituals and condemned untouchability.
• The Brahmo Samaj worked to uplift women and Raja Ram Mohan Roy was instrumental in legalising the prohibition of Sati.
• The Samaj campaigned against idolatry and polytheism. It advocated monotheism, was based on the teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads, and denounced avatars (incarnations).
• The Samaj tried to disseminate the benefits of both Indian and Western education and had no opinion on the doctrine of karma and transmigration.

• Maharishi Debendranath Tagore founded the Tatvabodhini Sabha in 1839. This organisation had a rationalist outlook and studied Indian tradition systematically. Tagore joined the Brahmo Samaj in 1843. Rammohan Roy denounced the belief in polytheism, but he never questioned the Vedas' authority and considered them infallible. But Debendranath denied the infallibility of the Vedas and gave the Brahmo Samaj a distinctly sectarian character. Debendranath relied on the Upanishads. After 1843, 'Tattvabodhini Sabha' became the main organisational wing of the Samaj. Later, it merged into Brahmo Samaj.
• In August 1843, he started the 'Tattvabodhini Patrika', a Bengali monthly, to popularise the ideals of Brahmo Samaj. In August 1861, he started the 'Indian Mirror', the first English daily journal with Keshub Chandra Sen as its editor. Under Tagore's influence, many youths joined the Brahmo movement. However, it became an all-India movement under the leadership of Keshub Chandra Sen.

• Keshub Chandra Sen infused a progressive element into the Brahmo Samaj. He was in favour of universalism, intercaste marriages, widow remarriages, and the destruction of the caste system, child marriages, and purdah. He established the Sangat Sabha to hold moral debates and formed the Indian Reform Association in 1870.
• His emphasis on social reforms and refusal to accept certain rites such as the tying of the sacred thread created conflict with the conservative elements of the movement, including Debendranath Tagore. Due to these differences, he separated from the Brahmo Samaj and founded the Brahmo Samaj of India in 1866.

• The Adi Brahmo Samaj and Sadharan Brahmo Samaj emerged due to divisions within the Brahmo Samaj movement.
• The Adi Brahmo Samaj was established in 1866 by Debendranath Tagore. It emphasised a more conservative approach and focused on the original principles of monotheism and social reform without radical change.
• The Sadharan Brahmo Samaj was formed in 1878 by Keshab Chandra Sen. His followers advocated a more inclusive and democratic framework, opening membership to all regardless of caste or creed, and promoting progressive reforms like women's rights and education.
• Both factions contributed significantly to India's social and religious reform movements.