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Brahmo Samaj

The document discusses the Brahmo Samaj, highlighting the leadership of Debendra Nath Tagore and the radical reforms introduced by Keshab Chandra Sen, which led to a split in the movement. It also mentions the establishment of similar reform movements in Maharashtra, such as the Paramhansa Mandali and Prathan Samaj, which aimed for social reforms but followed gradualist methods. Overall, the Brahmo Samaj and its offshoots faced challenges due to differing goals and methods among leaders, resulting in multiple splits and limited success in reforming society.

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11 views

Brahmo Samaj

The document discusses the Brahmo Samaj, highlighting the leadership of Debendra Nath Tagore and the radical reforms introduced by Keshab Chandra Sen, which led to a split in the movement. It also mentions the establishment of similar reform movements in Maharashtra, such as the Paramhansa Mandali and Prathan Samaj, which aimed for social reforms but followed gradualist methods. Overall, the Brahmo Samaj and its offshoots faced challenges due to differing goals and methods among leaders, resulting in multiple splits and limited success in reforming society.

Uploaded by

burhan mohammad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Brahmo Samaj(BS)1828:

• Debendra Nath Tagore(DBT): [Gradualist Reformer]


• He took over leadership after the death of Roy(in 1833).
• Brahmoism/BS was a major religious movement based on monotheism among the
educated middle-class upper castes Bengalis (i.e., Not among the masses).
• DBT gave organizational strength to BS.
• Keshab Chandra Sen(KCS) was a radical reformer while DBT was a
gradualist(wanted gradual reforms)(*Mild goals Mild methods).
• KCS was radical as he argued strongly in favour of women-related reforms. For
example, against child marriage and pro-widow remarriage(WR)+ attacked casteism and
questioned high caste leadership of BS, and supported inter-caste marriages.
• Issues of caste and women were considered sensitive by gradualists like DBT
in the early 19th century. Therefore DBT feared the alienation of Hindus from BS.
• KSC tried to make BS a mass movement by spreading it among the common man,
outside Calcutta, and even outside Bengal.
• KCS started missionary activities (wanted Brahmoism as an alternate religion
to Hinduism) while DBT did not want this. (Strong methods)
• Radicalism of KCS and differences with DBT caused a split, therefore KCS set
up BSOI (Brahmo Samaj of India,1866) and DBT set up Adi Brahmo Samaj, 1866
(Adi=Origianl).
• Efforts of KCS led to the Brahmo Marriages Act, of 1872, under which Widow
Remarriages and Intercaste marriages were legally valid(Lord Mayo). It failed
because it required the Bride and groom to leave Hinduism and convert to Brahmoism.
• Fruther split in BSOI when KCS married off his married his minor daughter,
therefore now the formation of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj(1878)
• Therefore Brahmo Samaj failed due to personality differences in goals and
methods and due to multiple splits.

Maharashtra:
1. Paramhansa Mandali(1849):
• It worked like Young Bengal, therefore failed like them.

2. Prathan Samaj(PS 1867):


• Set up by Atmaram Pandurang+ efforts of KCS.
• Main personalities: MG Ranade, RG Bhandarkar, and KT Telang.
• Strong Goals but mild methods.
• Focussed on social reforms including issues of women and caste, therefore had
goals like KCS, but followed the method of gradualism as did not want a break from
Hinduism, therefore methods like DBT.
• PS 1867 opened branches outside Maharashtra. For example, Gujarat, Karachi,
and Madras.
(Slow progress of social reforms in madras due to high casteism + slow progress of
western education.)

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