Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar made an incalculable contribution to women’s rights and education within the sociocultural framework of the 19th century. Discuss. (250 words)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born on July 23, 1856 in Ratnagiri. He studied at Pune's Deccan College and Bombay University graduating in law and mathematics shaping his future.Tilak's contribution to the indian nationalist movement can be summarised as follows - Bal Gangadhar Tilak's "Advocate for SwaraRead more
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born on July 23, 1856 in Ratnagiri. He studied at Pune’s Deccan College and Bombay University graduating in law and mathematics shaping his future.Tilak’s contribution to the indian nationalist movement can be summarised as follows –
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s “Advocate for Swaraj” emphasized India’s right to self rule demanding complete independence from British colonial rule and inspiring Indians to fight for their freedom.
- The Home Rule Movement led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant in 1916 aimed to achieve self government for India within the British Empire promoting Indian autonomy.
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Revival of Indian Festivals aimed to unite Indians through cultural celebrations like Ganesh Chaturthi and Shivaji Jayanti promoting national pride and identity.
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s journalism and writing through newspapers Kesari and Mahratta voiced nationalist sentiments criticized British rule and inspired Indians to fight for independence and self rule.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s legacy inspired India’s freedom struggle shaping nationalist thought and influencing leaders like Gandhi and Nehru leaving a lasting impact on Indian history.
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Indian educator and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay lived in the nineteenth century. His attempts to modernise and streamline Bengali prose were noteworthy. In addition, he rationalised and simplified the Bengali alphabet and type, which had not been altered since the first (wooden) BenRead more
Indian educator and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay lived in the nineteenth century. His attempts to modernise and streamline Bengali prose were noteworthy. In addition, he rationalised and simplified the Bengali alphabet and type, which had not been altered since the first (wooden) Bengali type was cut in 1780 by Charles Wilkins and Panchanan Karmakar.
Because he couldn’t afford a gas lamp at home, he used to study under street lights because his thirst for knowledge was so great. He completed each test with distinction and expeditiously. His excellent academic standing earned him several scholarships. Ishwar Chandra also took a part-time job as a teacher at Jorashanko to help support the family.
Ishwar Chandra joined the Sanskrit College, Calcutta and studied there for twelve long years and graduated in 1841 qualifying in Sanskrit Grammar, Literature, Dialectics, Vedanta, Smriti and Astronomy.
Vidyasagar advocated for improving women’s status in India, especially in Bengal, where he was born. He aimed to change society from within, in contrast to some other reformers who wanted to establish new societies or institutions. Additionally, Vidyasagar opposed polygamy—the practice of men marrying multiple girls—and child marriage.
Many of these girls would run away and turn to prostitution in order to support themselves because they could no longer stand the mistreatment. Paradoxically, many of them were able to achieve success in their careers after leaving society’s sanction and entering the demi-monde thanks to the city’s economic prosperity and opulent lifestyles. It was estimated that 12,700 public women and prostitutes lived in Calcutta in 1853.
Vidyasagar had laughed earlier in 1854 when a wealthy man from Bengal’s goldsmith caste was admitted to Sanskrit College in Calcutta. He argued that “the goldsmith class (Subarnabanik) stands very low in the scale of castes.” Remarkably, Vidyasagar biographer Sanjib Chattopadhyay disclosed that Ishwar Chandra received his primary education at a school run by wealthy Calcutta goldsmith Shibcharan Mallick.
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