Great Personalities of West Bengal - 1 | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

India has been home to numerous leaders throughout history, whose contributions have significantly impacted various facets of Indian society. These figures not only serve as sources of motivation but also impart valuable lessons for the positive development of our personalities. This description focuses on key personalities from West Bengal who have played pivotal roles in the state's development across different domains.
The luminaries of West Bengal have brought glory to their homeland through remarkable achievements in diverse fields. Eminent individuals such as Raja Rammohan Roy, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, and Amartya Sen are among the illustrious figures who have hailed from West Bengal.

Religious/Social Reformers or Thinkers of West Bengal 

• Chaitanya
  Religious and social reformers or thinkers from West Bengal include Chaitanya, born on 18th February 1486, in Nabadwip, Nadia district. A devoted follower of Lord Krishna, Chaitanya propagated the message of Bhakti in Bengal and founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism. His influence extended to literature and culture, leaving an indelible mark until his passing on 14th June 1534.
• Raja Rammohan Roy
  Raja Rammohan Roy, born on 22nd May 1772 in Hooghly district, emerged as a prominent religious, social, and educational reformer. Recognized as the "Maker of Modern India" and the "Father of Modern India," he staunchly opposed practices like Sati, polygamy, child marriage, and the caste system. His efforts, along with others during the Bengal Renaissance, led to the formation of the influential Brahmo Sabha in 1828. Raja Rammohan Roy's legacy continued until his death on 27th September 1833.
• Debendranath Tagore
  Debendranath Tagore, born on 15th May 1817 in Kolkata, was a philosopher and religious reformer known as Maharshi. He played a pivotal role in reforming Hindu religion and life, founding the Tattwabodhini Sabha and later merging it with the Brahmo Sabha to form the Brahmo Samaj Movement in 1843. He passed away on 19th January 1905.
• Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
  Ramakrishna was born on 18th February, 1836 in a poor Brahmin, Vaishnava family in rural Bengal. He was a famous mystic of 19th century India.  
  His religious school of thought led to the formation of the Ramakrishna Mission by his chief disciple Swami Vivekananda. He is also referred to as Paramahamsa by his devotees, as such he is popularly known as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
  He became a priest of the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, built by Rani Rashmoni, dedicated to the Goddess Kali, which had the influence of the main strands of Bengali bhakti tradition.
  Ramakrishna’s teachings were imparted in rustic Bengali, using stories and parables which made a powerful impact on people at that time. He died on 16th August, 1886.
• Swami Vivekananda
  Swami Vivekananda, born as Narendranath Datta on 12th January 1863 in Kolkata, emerged as a prominent figure known for raising interfaith awareness and introducing Indian philosophies on a global stage. His influential speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in 1893 showcased his commitment to the ideals of Vedanta and yoga. He founded the Ramakrishna Math and Mission and is celebrated annually on National Youth Day. Swami Vivekananda passed away on 4th July 1902.
• Mother Teresa
  Mother Teresa, born as Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje (now the capital of the Republic of Macedonia), was a Roman Catholic individual who spent the majority of her life in Kolkata. On October 7, 1950, she established the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation that, as of 2012, comprised over 4,500 Sisters and operated in 133 countries.
  Recognized for her humanitarian efforts, Mother Teresa received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. In 2003, she was beatified as 'Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.' Proficient in five languages—Bengali, Albanian, Serbian, English, and Hindi—she also founded the Home of the Pure Heart (Nirmal Hriday) in Kalighat in 1952, providing care for the sick, destitute, and dying. Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, in Kolkata.
• Amartya Sen
  Amartya Sen, born on 3rd November 1933 in Shantiniketan, Birbhum district, is a distinguished Indian economist and philosopher. His notable works, including "The Political Economy of Hunger" and "Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation," earned him the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1998. Amartya Sen was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1999 for his significant contributions.