Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Who Gave Him the Title “Raja”? Lesser Known Facts About the "Father of the Indian Revival"

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, widely considered as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance," was an influential Indian reformer and writer. He co-founded the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, which later evolved into the Brahmo Samaj, a significant socio-religious reform movement in the Indian subcontinent. He was born in Bengal on May 22, 1772, and departed to the heavenly abode on 27 September, 1833 in England.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is well-acclaimed for the abolishment of the 'Sati Pratha' that involved burning widows alive. He was an ardent supporter of the rights of women to remarry and education. Roy was an outspoken supporter of reason and rationalism, and his contributions laid the foundation for the modern, more progressive, and enlightened India. His contributions to Indian policy and philosophy today stem from his work as a human rights activist, reformer, and thinker.

Apart from the aforementioned facts, there are many prominent lesser-known facts about the co-founder of the Brahmo Sabha, Raja Ram Mohan Roy. As we pay homage to this legendary personality on his death anniversary on 27 September, let us explore more about him.
Here are some of the lesser-known facts about Raja Ram Mohan Roy:

• Ram Mohan Roy was conferred the title of 'Raja' by the Mughal Emperor; Akbar II, who ruled from 1806-1837. Akbar II appointed him as his representative in England.
• Roy was a polyglot, fluent in multiple languages including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English, Bengali, and Hindi.
• He was critical of idol worship and the traditional practices of Hinduism, advocating for a scientific mindset, which led to significant opposition to his beliefs.
• Roy translated the Vedas and Upanishads into Bengali, Hindi, and English, and he also authored summaries and treatises on these texts.
• In 1816, he established India's first English medium school in Kolkata, which eventually became known as the Anglo-Hindu School.
• In 1822, Ram Mohan Roy launched the journal Mirat-ul-Akbar in Persian and established the newspaper Sambad Koumudi.
• In 1828, Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj, a significant step in the reform and modernization of Indian society.
• After his sister-in-law committed suicide by leaping into the funeral pyre of his brother Jag Mohan in 1811, Ram Mohan Roy pledged to fight against Sati. He organized numerous protests and wrote petitions to the British government advocating for its abolition, leading to its prohibition in 1829.
• Roy established the Atmiya Sabha, a forum for discussing and debating the core principles of religion.
• He is often referred to as the 'Father of Indian Renaissance,' while freedom fighter Gopal Krishna Gokhale designated him the 'Father of Modern India.'
• During his visit to England in 1829 as the unofficial representative of the titular king of Delhi, rumors circulated that the law against Sati would be repealed. He traveled to England to advocate for the law's continuation.
• Roy also spearheaded campaigns against child marriage, the purdah system, dowry, and polygamy.
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy passed away from meningitis in Bristol on September 27, 1833. He is interred at Arnos Vale Cemetery, where a mausoleum remains today.