The Young Bengal Movement | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

The Young Bengal Movement: A Radical Awakening in Calcutta

The Young Bengal movement emerged in Calcutta as a response to the prevailing social and religious norms of Hinduism. Spearheaded by a group of radical free thinkers known as the Derozians, this movement was deeply influenced by the teachings of Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, a pivotal figure at Hindu College.

Derozio and His Impact at Hindu College:

• Derozio, an Anglo-Indian poet and teacher, was appointed at the young age of 17 to teach English literature and history at Hindu College. His innovative approach to education and his passion for Western learning and science set him apart.
• He fostered a spirit of free thinking among his students, encouraging them to question societal norms and religious practices. This environment of open debate and intellectual curiosity led to the formation of the Derozians, a group of students committed to social reform.
• Derozio's influence extended beyond the classroom. He organized debates where students could freely discuss and challenge existing social and religious norms. This not only strengthened their bond with him but also instilled in them a sense of liberty, equality, freedom.

Challenge to Orthodoxy:

• Derozio’s teachings were heavily inspired by English rationalism and the ideals of the French Revolution. He openly criticized orthodox Hindu practices and encouraged his students to embrace modernity.
• The Young Bengal group, under Derozio’s guidance, became known for their social rebellion. They mocked traditional customs, advocated for women’s education, engaged in activities deemed taboo, such as wine-drinking and beef-eating.
• This group gained notoriety for their radical approach to social issues, challenging the established norms of their time.

Derozio’s Legacy:

• Despite his profound impact, Derozio faced backlash from the orthodox community. Accused of undermining traditional values, he was forced to resign from Hindu College in 1831. Tragically, he passed away shortly after due to cholera, at the young age of 22.
• However, his legacy endured through his students, the Young Bengal, who continued to advocate for social reform, law, journalism. They were influenced by classical economics and inspired by thinkers like Jeremy Bentham, Adam Smith, David Ricardo.
• The Young Bengal movement played a crucial role in promoting women’s rights and advocating for education for women, reflecting the progressive ideals instilled by Derozio.

Organisations

Derozio and the Young Bengal group established various institutions and published journals that significantly contributed to the Bengal Renaissance. Two notable examples include the Academic Association and the Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge.

(1) Academic Association

• Derozio joined Hindu College in 1828 and quickly attracted a diverse group of students.
• The Academic Association, founded in 1828under Derozio's guidance, facilitated discussions on various topics, including:
  • Free will
  • Fate and faith
  • The importance of truth
  • Virtue and vice
  • Patriotism
  • Existence of God
  • Idolatry and priesthood
• The association attracted both Britons and Indians to engage in debates on religion and philosophy.
• After moving locations for meetings, the association eventually settled in Mainktala.
• Derozio served as its president, while one of his students, Uma Charan Basu, acted as its secretary.
• The sessions of the Academic Association gained significant attention, with notable attendees like David Hare and Col. Benson.
• The Derozians continued the Academic Association until about 1839.
• Influenced by radical activities in England, the Derozians established a Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge in 1838 and a Mechanical Institute in 1839.

(2) Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge

• The Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge was founded on February 20, 1838, by the Young Bengal group.
• The society focused on discussing various aspects of Western scienceand advocated for social reforms such as:
  • Prohibition of caste taboos
  • Child marriage
  • Kulin polygamy
  • Ban on widow remarriage
• Trachand Chakrabarti served as its president, Ramgopal Ghosh as its vice president.
• The society elected David Hare as an honorary visitor.
• Notable papers published by the society included Nature of Historical Studies and Civil and Social Reform by Krishna Mohan Banerjee, Interests of the Female Sex and The State of Hindustan by Peary Chand Mitra.
• These associations of the Young Bengal group laid the groundwork for later organizations such as the Landholders’ Society,British India Society, British Indian Association, with which the Young Bengal group had connections.

Impact of the Young Bengal Movement

• Derozian ideas significantly influenced the social movement known as the Bengal Renaissance in early 19th century Bengal.
• Despite being considered an iconoclast by figures like Alexander Duff and other evangelical Christian missionaries, Derozio's emphasis on the rational spirit was accepted as long as it did not conflict with core Christian beliefs and critiqued orthodox Hinduism.

Continuing Raja Rammohan's Tradition:

• The Derozians continued Raja Rammohan Roy's legacy of educating the public on social, economic, political issues through various mediums.
• They used newspapers, pamphlets, public associations for their outreach.
• They actively engaged in public agitation on issues like:
  (i) Revision of the Company’s Charter
  (ii) Freedom of the Press
  (iii) Improved treatment for Indian laborers in British colonies
  (iv) Trial by jury
  (v) Protection of peasants from oppressive landlords (zamindars)
  (vi) Employment of Indians in higher government positions

Derozio's Influence on Religious Conversion:

• Derozio was an atheist, yet his ideas are believed to have contributed to the conversion of upper-caste Hindus.
• Key figures such as Krishna Mohan Banerjee and Lal Behari Dey converted to Christianity.
• Other notable converts included Madhusudan Datta, a promising student who abandoned his ancestral faith in 1843.
• Jnanendra Mohan Tagore, the only son of Prasanna Kumar Tagore, also converted to Christianity.

Spread of Derozian Ideas and Drinking as Emancipation:

• The practice of drinking, introduced by the Derozians as a symbol of emancipation, began to spread rapidly among individuals who were not influenced by the more noble aspects of Derozian free thought.

Derozio as a Nationalist Poet:

• Derozio is considered one of the first nationalist poets of Modern India, with his famous poem being "To India – My Native Land."

Reasons for the Short-Lived Young Bengal Movement

• The Young Bengal Movement, despite its initial vigor, failed to bring about the expected era of reform due to several key factors:
• Disconnect from the Masses: The movement's strong faith in the British, reliance on English education, rationalism influenced by the West alienated them from the broader Indian populace. This disconnect hindered their ability to mobilize support for their proposed reforms.
• Decline of Atheism and Radicalism: Over time, the movement's initial commitment to atheism and social radicalism waned as its members grew older and became more entrenched in society.
• Failure to Garner Support: The movement struggled to gain support from other Bengali intellectuals and academics. Notably, Raja Rammohan Roy, a prominent figure in social reform, did not align with their radical ideas.
• Limited Ideological Appeal: The movement's shaky and limited ideology prevented it from capturing widespread public attention. The social conditions of the time were not conducive to their advanced ideas.
• Lack of Positive Content: The Derozians, although bright and energetic, lacked a coherent and progressive ideology. Their radical ideas, inspired by Western democratic revolutions, did not take concrete shape.
• Weakening Influence: Despite being a close-knit group, the Derozians did not evolve into a growing school of thought that attracted new followers. They left a mark in their time but faded away like a generation without successors.
• Perception Issues: Common people perceived the Derozians as arrogant revolutionaries, the radical Western-style politics they advocated were not feasible in Bengal at the time.
• Disconnection from Reality: The Derozians failed to address the peasant’s cause and did not connect with any social class or group that could support their ideas. Their radicalism was largely theoretical and did not engage with Indian realities.
• Shift to Brahmo Samaj: Some Derozians later gravitated towards the Brahmo Samaj movement when their youthful enthusiasm had diminished.
• Impact and Legacy: The Young Bengal movement was like a powerful storm that attempted to uproot existing norms, causing both positive and negative effects. Despite its tumultuous nature, it was acknowledged by future leaders as a pioneering force in the modernization of Bengal.