Establishment of Adi Brahmo Samaj by Debendranath Tagore

Debendranath Tagore was a prominent Bengali philosopher and religious reformer who played a significant role in the establishment of the Adi Brahmo Samaj. He was born on May 15, 1817, in Kolkata and was the father of Rabindranath Tagore, the famous Indian poet, and writer.

Background

During the early 19th century, Hindu society was deeply rooted in orthodoxy and superstition. Social evils such as caste discrimination, sati, and child marriage were prevalent. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, another prominent social reformer, had initiated a movement for social and religious reforms. He founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828, which was aimed at removing the evils of Hindu society.

Establishment of Adi Brahmo Samaj

Debendranath Tagore was greatly influenced by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and his teachings. In 1839, he established the Tattwabodhini Sabha, a religious reform organization, which aimed to promote the study of the Upanishads and the Vedas. Debendranath Tagore believed that the study of the Upanishads could help in removing superstitions and promoting rationalism.

In 1843, Debendranath Tagore and his close associates founded the Adi Brahmo Samaj, which was aimed at promoting monotheism and the worship of one God. The Adi Brahmo Samaj rejected the caste system and other social evils prevalent in Hindu society.

Expansion of Adi Brahmo Samaj

The Adi Brahmo Samaj gained popularity, and its members included some of the most prominent Bengali intellectuals and social reformers of the time. Keshab Chandra Sen, who later became one of the leaders of the Brahmo Samaj, was a member of the Adi Brahmo Samaj. The Samaj played a significant role in the Bengal Renaissance and helped in the spread of education and social reforms.

Conclusion

Debendranath Tagore's establishment of the Adi Brahmo Samaj was a significant step towards social and religious reforms in Bengal. The Samaj played a crucial role in the spread of education and rationalism and helped in removing social evils from Hindu society.