Question

Write a short note on Brahmo Samaj.

Hint:

Founded 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy; fought sati, caste, idol worship; promoted women's education.

Answer 1

Step 1: Founding:
Brahmo Samaj was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in Calcutta in 1828 as a reformist movement within Hinduism, aimed at purifying religious practice and promoting rational, monotheistic worship.

Step 2: Reform agenda:
It opposed idol worship, the caste system, sati, child marriage and polygamy, while advocating widow remarriage, women's education and rational, scripture-based worship of one formless God.

Step 3: Impact:
Brahmo Samaj played a pioneering role in India's socio-religious reform movement and social modernisation, influencing later reformers like Keshab Chandra Sen and Debendranath Tagore who further developed the movement.

Final Answer:
Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, was a pioneering religious and social reform movement opposing idol worship, sati and caste discrimination while promoting monotheism, women's rights and rational worship.