Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A Pillar of the Bengal Renaissance

• Birth and Early Life: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was born on September 26, 1820, in the Paschim Midnapore District of West Bengal to impoverished Brahmin parents. Despite his humble beginnings, he became a key figure in the social reform movement initiated by Raja Rammohan Roy.
• Social Reformer and Educator: Vidyasagar was a visionary social reformer, philosopher, philanthropist, educationalist. He is remembered for his efforts to modernize society and improve education.
• Recognition and Influence: Michael Madhusudan Dutt, a prominent Bengali poet, praised Vidyasagar for his remarkable qualities, describing him as a blend of ancient wisdom, modern energy, deep compassion.
• Contributions to Bengali Language: One of Vidyasagar's significant achievements was the reconstruction of the modern Bengali alphabet. His work made the Bengali language more accessible and laid the foundation for future linguistic developments.
• Education at Sanskrit College: From 1829 to 1841, Vidyasagar studied various subjects, including Vedanta, Vyakaran (grammar), Literature, Rhetoric, Smriti (Hindu law), Ethics, at Sanskrit College. His exceptional talent earned him the title 'Vidyasagar' in 1839.
• Career at Fort William College: In 1841, at the age of twenty-one, Vidyasagar joined Fort William College as the head of the Sanskrit department. After five years, he moved to Sanskrit College as 'Assistant Secretary.'
• Reforms in Education: Vidyasagar proposed significant changes to the education system, leading to conflicts with the College Secretary, Rasomoy Dutta. After resigning from Sanskrit College, he rejoined Fort William College.
• Literary Contributions: He wrote several influential books, including 'Bornoporichoy', 'Betal Panchabinsati', 'Upakramanika', 'kotha mala', 'Banglar Itihas', and 'Sitar Bonobas.' His first book, 'Betal Panchabingsati', was published in 1847.
• Revolutionizing Education: Vidyasagar transformed the education system in Bengal. In his book 'Barno-Porichoy', he refined the Bengali language and made it accessible to all. He also pioneered Bengali prose through translations and original writings, such as his translation of Kalidas's 'Sakuntala.'
• Legacy: Vidyasagar's contributions to education, language, social reform have left a lasting impact on Bengal and India as a whole, making him a revered figure in the Bengal Renaissance.

Reform 

Educational Reform:

• Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was a prominent figure in 19th-century India.
• He dedicated his life to education and social reform.
• His journey began with rigorous studies in various subjects at the Sanskrit College in Calcutta.
• Vidyasagar studied Sanskrit grammar, literature, Vedanta philosophy, logic, astronomy, Hindu law.
• After more than 12 years of intense learning, he was awarded the title of Vidyasagar, meaning "Ocean of Learning," at the young age of 21.
• Privately, he pursued English literature and philosophy.
• By the age of 31, he became the principal of Sanskrit College on January 22, 1851.
• He strongly believed that the regeneration of India was possible only through education.
• His aim was to extend the benefits of learning to the common people.

Commitment to Education for All:

• Vidyasagar emphasized instruction in the vernacular language and advocated for writing textbooks in the same language.
• His Bengali primer, Borno Porichoy, continues to be the introduction to the alphabet for nearly all Bengali children even 125 years after his death in 1891.
• To free young learners from outdated scholarship, he encouraged the study of Western science and philosophy.
• He also opened the doors of colleges and educational institutions to lower caste students, who were previously excluded and reserved only for Brahmins.
• His immense generosity and kind-heartedness earned him the title "Daya Sagar", meaning "Ocean of Kindness."

Advocate for Women’s Education:

• Having grown up in a village, Vidyasagar was acutely aware of the plight of women. He believed that the emancipation of women was not possible without education and took it upon himself to promote female education.
• Noticing the British Government’s indifference towards this cause, he established model schools for girls and collaborated with Drinkwater Bethune to establish the Hindu Female School in 1849, which is now known as Bethune School and College.

Social Reforms by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Widow Remarriage and Social Issues:

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a key figure in advocating for widow remarriage and addressing the issues of child marriage and polygamy.
• He argued that unrestricted polygamy was not supported by ancient Hindu texts, the Shastras.

Early Efforts Against Child Marriage:

• In the late 1850s, Vidyasagar wrote a paper criticizing child marriage, particularly the practice of marrying girls as young as 10.
• He highlighted the social, ethical, health problems associated with this practice and rejected the authority of the Dharma Shastras that justified it.

Advocacy for Widow Remarriage:

• In 1855, Vidyasagar published two significant tracts on the Marriage of Hindu Widows.
• He used reason and logic to argue that there were no prohibitions against widow remarriage in the Smriti literature, which includes the Sutras and Shastras.

Response to Critics:

• In his second tract, Vidyasagar effectively countered critics who opposed his views after the first tract was published.
• He emphasized that mere reasoning would not convince people and that customs needed to align with the Sastras, which were considered the ultimate authority among Hindus.

Compassion for Widows:

• While expressing sympathy for widows, Vidyasagar made it clear that he advocated for their remarriage only after thorough research showed that the Sastras supported it.
• He urged the people of India to recognize the harm caused by outdated customs and to follow the true spirit of the Sastras.

Pursuit of Social Change:

• Vidyasagar dedicated his life to improving the status of women by campaigning against polygamy and promoting widow remarriage.
• He aimed to reform orthodox Hindu society from within and, with the help of supporters like Akshay Kumar Dutta, popularized widow remarriage.

The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act 1856:

• Vidyasagar played a crucial role in advocating for The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 during the tenure of Governor-General Lord Canning.
• This Act legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows across India under East India Company rule.
• It offered legal protections for remarrying Hindu widows, although it required them to forfeit certain inheritance rights from their deceased husbands.
• The Act particularly addressed Hindu child widows whose marriages were not consummated because their husbands died young.

Challenges and Impact:

• Despite his efforts, Vidyasagar could not achieve a legal ban on child marriage.
• His pamphlets on widow remarriage created a significant impact in Hindu society, with thousands of copies selling out rapidly.
• On October 14, 1855, he petitioned the Government of India to consider passing a law to facilitate the remarriage of Hindu widows.
• Inspired by Vidyasagar, various literary figures wrote plays promoting widow remarriage.
• His work influenced others, such as Jyotiba Phule and Vishnu Shastri Pandit, in advocating for widow remarriage and translating his ideas into regional languages.

Campaign Against Polygamy:

• Alongside his efforts for widow remarriage,Vidyasagar also campaigned against polygamy.
• In 1857, a petition advocating for the prohibition of polygamy among Kulin Brahmins was submitted to the government, backed by 25,000 signatures and led by the Maharaja of Burdwan.
• The sepoy mutiny delayed action on this petition. However, in 1866, Vidyasagar inspired another petition with 21,000 signatures.
• During the 1870s, Vidyasagar wrote two critiques of polygamy, arguing that since polygamy was not supported by sacred texts, it could be legally suppressed.

Death of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar:

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar passed away on 29 July 1891, at the age of 70. Following his death, Rabindranath Tagore remarked on Vidyasagar's exceptional character, expressing amazement at how such a remarkable individual could emerge from the population of Bengal.

Widow Remarriage Act: A Response to the Abolition of Sati

Introduction:

• The Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 can be seen as a continuation of efforts to improve the lives of widows following the abolition of sati, a practice where widows were forced to self-immolate on their husbands' funeral pyres.

Abolition of Sati: 

• Sati was abolished in 1829 by the Bengal Sati Regulation.
• It was initiated by Governor-General Lord William Bentinck.
• This regulation made the practice illegal throughout British India.
• The practice became subject to legal prosecution.

Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, 1856:

• The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act was introduced as a logical follow-up to the abolition of sati. If widows were to be protected from self-immolation, it was essential to provide them with the opportunity to remarry and lead fulfilling lives.

Social Context:

• Reformers targeted sati first because it was seen as extremely inhumane.
• Despite shastric support for the practice, a romanticized view of sati as a noble act of self-sacrifice contributed to its persistence.
• After the abolition of sati, the plight of widows became a pressing concern.
• The grim reality for widows, marked by servility, social ostracism, humiliation, highlighted the need for widow remarriage.
• Widows faced compulsory shaving of their heads, societal stigma, a life of degradation.
• For many, the idea of enduring such humiliation was worse than the prospect of sati.

Property Rights and Sati:

• Sati was more prevalent in Bengal due to the Dayabhaga system of law, which allowed widows to inherit property under certain conditions.
• The elimination of widows through sati facilitated property appropriation by unscrupulous family members.
• If sati was abolished, widows risked inhumane treatment due to property disputes.
• To protect widows and restore their dignity, remarriage became a necessity.
• The abolition of sati catalyzed demands for further social reforms, with widow remarriage being a critical focus.

Demographics and Sati:

• The existence of polygamy meant that many women, including very young girls, were compelled to perform sati. The need for widow remarriage was underscored by the high number of young widows.
• A survey in Kolkata in 1891 revealed a significant number of widows below the age of four in a population of 400,000.
• Following the abolition of sati, approximately 21 million widows faced bleak futures, often ending up in brothels or forced into begging in their old age.

Social Reformers and Widow Remarriage:

• Social reformers recognized the dire situation of widows and advocated for their welfare.
• Madhusudan Dutt helped rescue prostitutes by offering them opportunities in theatre, with some rising to fame, such as Binodini.
• Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was a prominent advocate for widow remarriage, leading to the enactment of the Widow Remarriage Act in 1856 after 27 years of effort.
• The British Raj approved the act as a permissive measure.

Limitations of the Widow Remarriage Act:

• Widow Remarriage Act was a progressive step but had constraints.
• Upon remarriage, a widow lost all rights to her deceased husband's property.
• A widow could no longer be the guardian of her children after remarriage.
• Widow remarriage reform progressed slowly due to societal interests in keeping widows as free laborers.
• Even after the act, the number of widows remained high.
• Families often opposed the remarriage of widows.
• The pitiable condition of widows persisted due to a lack of education.
• Lack of education prevented their social and economic independence.
• Societal acceptance of widow remarriage was also challenging.

Supportive Measures for Widows:

• Establishing special institutions for the education and training of widows could empower them to become self-sufficient.
• Widow remarriage societies emerged across the country, with the Widow Remarriage Association founded in 1893 in Wardha. Maharishi Karve established a hostel for the children of poor widows.
• The abolition of child marriage contributed to the reduction of young widows, these initiatives collectively improved the lives of widows.

Conclusion:

• While the Widow Remarriage Act was a logical step following the abolition of sati, it did not significantly uplift the status of widows. True empowerment and improvement in the lives of widows occurred gradually over time and continue to evolve.

The Widow Remarriage Movement of Vidyasagar: An Overview

The Widow Remarriage Movement spearheaded by Iswarchandra Vidyasagar ended in what many consider an “unavoidable defeat.” Despite his efforts, the movement faced significant challenges, the impact of the legislation was limited.

Key Points of the Movement:

• Iswarchandra Vidyasagar, a key figure in the widow remarriage movement, sought legal reform similar to that pursued by Ram Mohan Roy.
• Vidyasagar's efforts led to the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act of 1856, which legally sanctioned widow remarriage.

Challenges Faced:

• Despite the legalisation, Vidyasagar witnessed few actual instances of widow remarriage.
• The Act primarily ensured that children from such marriages would inherit ancestral property.
• The legislation failed to make widow remarriage socially acceptable and could not be enforced through state power.
• Vidyasagar ultimately relied on social consent rather than state authority, marking a significant setback for the movement.

Conservative Nature of the Legislation:

• Ironically, the Act was conservative in nature.
• It disinherited widows from their deceased husbands' property upon remarriage, reinforcing Brahmanical norms.
• The norms favored the chaste, prayerful widow.
• This conservative stance contributed to the rarity of widow remarriage among the educated classes in Bengal.
• Over time, the taboo against widow remarriage became more widespread.
• This trend was evident even among lower social strata.

Legacy of the Movement:

• Despite the challenges, the movement laid groundwork for the eventual social legitimacy of widow remarriage. The progress made in the 19th century contributed to the acceptance of widow remarriage in later years.