2 he opened an english school at calcutta at his own

(2) He opened an English school at Calcutta at his own cost.
(3) He opened a college which offered both the Indian and the Western literature and
sciences.
(4) He took steps for the promotion of Bengali language and wrote a book on Bengali
grammar. He gave his full support to all those who stood for the introduction of English
language and Western sciences.
(5) He translated Vedas and some of the Upanishads into Bengali and English.
6) SOCIAL REFORM -
He was the first social reformer who severely criticized social evils like the practice of4
Sati\ He pleaded for equal status for women and condemned child marriages to improve
the status of the women. He abolished child marriages. He took following steps for up
liftment the status of women and their education -
(1) He extended his full co-operation to the then Governor General Lord William Bentick in
passing the law declaring Sati' as unlawful. The evil practice of Sati was abolished and it§
practice was made an offence.
(2) Raja Rammohan Roy saved several widows from being burnt alive.
(3) He advocated in favour of widow remarriages.
(4) He demanded the right of inheritancein property for women.
(5) He condemned polygamy and pleaded for monogamy i.e. a man should have only one
wife.

(6) He gave more emphasis on education of women for enabling them to fight against social
evils.
7) FREEDOM OF PRESS -
He carried on strong agitation against the Press Regulation of 1823. His Bengali journal
The Samaved Kaumudi' was the earliest Indian edited newspaper. He submitted a
memorandum to Supreme Court against the policy of British Government against press and
pleaded for freedom of press.
8) CONCLUSION
He was the first to pronounce the rights and privileges of the people. He worked for both
personal and social reforms. He was not only a founder of the Brahmo Samaj and a pioneer
of all social reforms in Bengal, but was also the Father of Constitutional Agitation in India.
He was a Prophet of Humanity and a golden link between the far East and the far West.
THE PRARTHANA SAMAJ (1867 A.D)
Synopsis:-
1) Introduction
2) Objectives and Programmes
3) M.G Ranade
4) Conclusion
1) INTRODUCTION-
The Prarthana Samaj was the socio-religious reform movement of Maharashtra. It owed its
inspiration to Brahmo Samaj of Bengal. It was started in 1867. It was founded in Bombay
by Atmaram Pandurang. It came into existence under the guidance of Keshav Chandra Sen.
The members of Prarthana Samaj were theists. They followed the religious traditions of
Maratha saints like Nam Dev, Tukaram and Ramdas. Keshav Chandra Sen, Navi-Chandra
Rai, P.C Majumdar and Babu Mahendranath Bose of Bengal used to visit Bombay and
encourage Prarthana Samaj activities. Justice Ranade, R.G Bhandarkar and GK Gokhale
were the other greats leaders of this Samaj.

2) OBJECTIVES AND PROGRAMMES -
I. Rational workship and social reforms such as disapproval of caste, the introduction of
widow-marriage, encouragement of women's education and abolition of child marriage.