Old NCERT Summary (Bipan Chandra): Social & Cultural Awakening in the First Half- 1 | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

1. Introduction: 
   • Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a central figure in the Indian awakening, is considered the first leader of modern India.
   • His profound love for his people and country motivated him to work tirelessly for social, religious, intellectual, and political regeneration.

2. Concerns about Contemporary Indian Society:

   • Pain at the stagnation and corruption of society dominated by caste and convention.
   • Critique of popular religion filled with superstitions and exploited by corrupt priests.
   • Upper classes prioritizing narrow interests over societal well-being.

3. Synthesis of East and West:

   • Deep respect for traditional Eastern philosophic systems.
   • Advocacy for embracing rational and scientific approaches, human dignity, and social equality.
   • Promotion of modern capitalism and industry in India.
   • Raja Ram Mohan Roy represented a blend of Eastern and Western thought.

4. Multilingual Scholar:

   • Proficient in over a dozen languages, including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English, French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.
   • Extensive studies in Sanskrit literature, Hindu philosophy, Quran, Persian, and Arabic literature.

5. Rational Critique of Religion:

   • Advocacy for monotheism through the publication of "Gift to Monotheists."
   • Formation of Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta for social reform.

6. Defender of Hinduism and Critic of Blind Faith:

   • Opposition to idol worship, caste rigidity, and meaningless rituals.
   • Translation of Vedas and Upanishads to emphasize monotheism.
   • Rational critique extended to Christianity in "Precepts of Jesus."

7. Foundation of Brahmo Sabha (Later Brahmo Samaj):

   • Formation in 1828, emphasizing reason and Vedas/Upanishads.
   • Incorporation of teachings from various religions.
   • Opposition to idolatry and criticism of social evils like sati.

8. Advocate for Women's Rights:

   • Pioneering efforts against the inhuman custom of sati.
   • Roused public opinion, cited sacred texts opposing sati, and appealed to reason and humanity.
   • Establishment of Brahmo Samaj laid emphasis on human dignity, opposing social evils.

9. Contributions to Education:

   • Support for modern education and collaboration with David Hare in founding Hindu College.
   • Personal funding for an English school in Calcutta and establishment of Vedanta College in 1825.
   • Advocacy for Bengali as a language of intellectual discourse.

10. Advocate for Social and Political Reforms:

    • Public agitation against oppressive practices of Bengal zamindars.
    • Demands for fixing maximum rents for cultivators and abolition of Company's trading rights.
    • Support for Indianization of superior services, separation of executive and judiciary, trial by jury, and judicial equality.

11. Internationalist and Advocate for Liberty:

    • Keen interest in international events and support for liberty, democracy, and nationalism.
    • Opposition to injustices and tyranny worldwide.
    • Fearless stance against oppressive regimes.

12. Legacy and Impact:

    • Fearless and unyielding in his fight against social injustice, inequality, and orthodoxy.
    • Influence on education, journalism, and political thought.
    • Catalyst for the rise of national consciousness in India.
    • A visionary leader who envisioned a united, independent, and resurgent India.

DEROZIO AND YOUNG BENGAL

1. Young Bengal Movement:

   • Radical trend among Bengali intellectuals in the late 1820s and 1830s.
   • More modern than Rammohan Roy's ideas.
   • Led by Henry Vivian Derozio, an Anglo-Indian teacher at Hindu College.

2. Henry Vivian Derozio:

   • Born in 1809, taught at Hindu College from 1826 to 1831.
   • Inspired by radical views, drawing inspiration from the French Revolution.
   • Dazzling intellect and a brilliant teacher.
   • Leader of the Young Bengal movement.
   • Encouraged rational thinking, questioning authority, and embracing liberty, equality, and freedom.

3. Young Bengal's Ideals:

   • Derozians and Young Bengal known for fiery patriotism.
   • Advocates of women's rights and demanded education for women.
   • Derozio considered the first nationalist poet of modern India.

4. Challenges and Fate of Derozio:

   • Removed from Hindu College in 1831 due to radicalism.
   • Died of cholera at the young age of 22.

5. Derozians' Critique:

   • Attacked old and decadent customs, rites, and traditions.
   • Passionate advocates for women's rights and education.
   • Failed to create a widespread movement due to unripe social conditions.
   • Neglected the peasant's cause and lacked support from other classes or groups.
   • Radicals' ideas remained bookish and detached from Indian reality.

6. Legacy of the Derozians:

   • Continued Rammohan Roy's tradition of educating people through newspapers, pamphlets, and public associations.
   • Engaged in public agitation on various issues like Company's Charter revision, freedom of the press, better treatment for Indian labor abroad, trial by jury, protection of the ryots from oppressive zamindars, and employment of Indians in higher government services.
   • Described by Surendranath Banerjee as "pioneers of modern civilization in Bengal" with virtues worthy of veneration and failings treated with consideration.