Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the first social reformer of modern India, was born on 22nd May, 1772 in Radha Nagar of Hoogly district of Bengal. He had knowledge of Arabian, Sanskrit, Persian, Bengali, Latin, Greek, Hebrew languages. He had great impact of Western thought on him. He was against orthodoxy, religious rites and rituals that existed in Hindu religion. He gave message to remove them. He was against the Sati pratha, casteism, etc.
By watching the wife of his elder brother who followed the Sati pratha, he was very sad. With the help of Lord William Bentinck, the British Governor General, a law against Sati pratha was formed and passed in 1829. According to this law Sati pratha was illegal. He was against child marriage, polygamy, untouchability, liquor, etc. He was in favour of western education in India’s Schools and Hindu Colleges also. He published Samvad Kaumudi in Bengal, Miratual newspaper in Persian and a Brahamnical magazine in English. He breathed his last in Bristol city of England in 1833.
After his death, Brahmo Samaj was divided into two parts :
1. Adi Brahmo Samaj by Devendra Nath Tagore and
2. Bharatiya Brahmo Samaj by Keshav Chandra Sen.
Important teachings of Raja Ram Mohan Roy/Brahmo Samaj:
1. God is one, he is the creator of universe, observer, eternal (Anadi) and formless.
2. Worship of God should be done spiritually without any discrimination.
3. Moksha, Mukti or Salvation can be achieved by confessing sins and discarding evil attitude.
4. Soul is immortal. It is responsible or accountable to God.
5. All are equal before God. He accepts the prayers of all equally.
6. Prayers are must for spiritual progress.
7. Everyone must believe in the principles of work.
8. All the people must have belief in truth.
