Subject: Modern History

Why in the News?

This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in The Hindu.

About Batukeshwar Dutt (1910 to 1965):

• Early Life: Born 18 November 1910 in Burdwan, Bengal Presidency; educated at Theosophical High School and Prithvinath College, Kanpur.
• Political Affiliations: Joined Hindustan Socialist Republican Association and Naujawan Bharat Sabha; became a close associate of Bhagat Singh during his Kanpur days.
• Jail Endurance: Known for remarkable resilience in Multan, Jhelum, Trichinopoly, Salem, and Andaman Cellular Jail.
• Later Imprisonment: Released in 1938; joined Quit India Movement in 1942 and jailed again for four years.
• Life Post-Independence: Settled in Patna, married Anjali; daughter Bharti became a professor.
• Death: Died on 20 July 1965 at AIIMS Delhi from bone cancer.
• Last Wish: Cremated at Hussainiwala, beside Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.

Important Revolutionary Activities:

• Assembly Bombing (8 April 1929): Co-executed the Central Legislative Assembly bombing with Bhagat Singh to protest colonial repression; bombs were non-lethal.
• Political Message: Threw pamphlets, shouted “Inquilab Zindabad,” and refused to escape, converting the trial into a political platform.
• Sentencing: Received life imprisonment on 12 June 1929 in the Delhi Assembly Bomb Case.
• Cellular Jail: Deported to Andamans; repeatedly led hunger strikes demanding recognition of political prisoners.
• Long Fasts: Undertook multiple prolonged fasts, including two over a month long.
• Prison Transfers: Shifted through Multan, Jhelum, Hazaribagh, Delhi and Patna jails.
• Post-Illness Activism: Continued revolutionary involvement even after severe health decline; joined Quit India after release.
• Cultural Protest: Criticised misrepresentation of revolutionaries in films; approved only Manoj Kumar’s 1965 film Shaheed.

Association with Bhagat Singh:

• Early Bond: Met Bhagat Singh in Kanpur and was shaped by his discipline and ideological clarity.
• Joint Action: Collaborated closely in HSRA; jointly executed the Assembly bombing as symbolic resistance.
• Hunger Strike: Participated with Singh in the historic 114 day hunger strike for humane jail conditions.
• After the Martyrdom: News of Singh’s execution (23 March 1931) reached him in Salem jail; he was haunted by visions of Singh.
• Family Ties: Maintained lifelong connection with Bhagat Singh’s family; Mata Vidyawati stayed with him during his last illness.
• Comradeship: Supported through final days by HSRA comrades like Shiv Verma, Sadashivrao Malkapurkar, and Kiran Das.

[UPSC 2022] Consider the following freedom fighters: 1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh 2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee 3. Rash Behari Bose Who of the above was/were actively associated with the Ghadar Party? Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only*

 

Introduction

Birsa Munda and the larger Janjatiya movement occupy a central position in India’s social-political evolution. From colonial-era uprisings to modern state-led empowerment measures, tribal struggles reveal a continuous assertion of identity, land rights, cultural autonomy, and equitable development. The government’s recent initiatives, including the celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, PM-Janman Mission, tribal-focused infrastructure schemes, and protection of cultural heritage, highlight a renewed emphasis on integrating tribal communities into mainstream governance without erasing their distinctiveness.

Why in the news?

Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary gains special significance as India concludes the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Janjatiya icons during Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh (2021-2024), a landmark recognition of tribal heritage at a national scale. For the first time, tribal leaders and movements are commemorated through a dedicated national day (Janjatiya Gaurav Divas), signalling a major shift from historical marginalisation to mainstream acknowledgment. This comes at a moment when tribal communities, once isolated, are transitioning toward empowered participation through new missions, infrastructure investments, and cultural revival measures highlighted in the article.

How has the tribal freedom movement shaped India’s socio-political fabric?

1. Historical Resistance: Tribal communities led sustained struggles against British colonial rule, moneylenders, and local landlords. Example: Movements led by Tilka Manjhi, Rani Gaidinliu, Sidhu-Kanhu, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Tantia Bhil.
2. Collective Assertion: Demonstrated that tribal revolts were not isolated incidents but powerful collective responses to exploitation.
3. Cultural Protection: Defended land, culture, and dignity from systemic oppression, shaping India’s early political consciousness.

Why is Birsa Munda a central figure in Janjatiya consciousness?

1. Symbol of Dignity: Led the Ulgulan movement, highlighting tribal rights, cultural identity, and fight against colonial injustice.
2. National Recognition: 2021 decision by the Prime Minister to commemorate his birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
   1. Significance: First national-level day dedicated to tribal heritage.
3. Political Legacy: Birsa Munda’s region later inspired the creation of separate states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand, strengthening administrative representation for tribal communities.

How have recent government initiatives enhanced tribal empowerment?

1. PM-JANMAN Mission:
   1. Holistic Development: Transforms marginalised tribal communities from welfare-oriented to empowerment-oriented.
   2. Targeted Delivery: Implemented across 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
   3. Infrastructure: Houses, roads, electricity, drinking water, health, and education.
2. Dhani Aaba Janjatiya Gaurav Ashram Abhiyan:
   1. Community Spaces: Creates structured social and economic development hubs.
   2. Outcome: Strengthens village-level institutions.
3. EMRS Expansion:
   1. Educational Access: 728 Eklavya Model Residential Schools sanctioned; 479 operational.
   2. Impact: Bridges educational inequities for tribal children.
4. Tribal Business Conclave:
   1. Market Linkages: Enhances geotagging of tribal products and economic inclusion.

How has political leadership supported Janjatiya reforms?

1. Representation in Governance: Continuous policy focus on tribal welfare
2. Heritage Recognition:
   • Museums: Ten freedom fighter museums sanctioned; four inaugurated. These recognise tribal contributions to the freedom struggle.
3. Prime Minister’s Visit to Ulihatu: First Prime Minister to visit Birsa Munda’s birthplace, underscoring symbolic national acknowledgment.

How are tribal communities moving from isolation to mainstream participation?

1. Governance Inclusion: Tribal affairs institutionalised via a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
2. Economic Upliftment: PM-JANMAN and other schemes ensure roads, schools, livelihood support, and market integration.
3. Cultural Revival: Celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh fosters awareness of tribal culture across generations.

Conclusion

Birsa Munda’s legacy is not confined to the past; it continues to shape India’s pursuit of justice, dignity, and equitable development for tribal communities. As the nation celebrates Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and strengthens missions like PM-JANMAN, the shift from historic marginalisation to institutional empowerment marks a significant transformation in India’s democratic evolution.

Value Addition

Who was Birsa Munda? Birsa Munda (1875-1900) was a revolutionary tribal leader, spiritual reformer, and social mobiliser belonging to the Munda tribe of the Chotanagpur plateau. Revered as Dharti Aba (Father of the Earth), he transformed scattered tribal discontent into a structured political uprising. Which Rebellion Was He Part Of? Ulgulan (The Great Tumult), 1899-1900 The Ulgulan was the Munda Rebellion led by Birsa Munda against British colonial rule, zamindari oppression, and missionary cultural domination. Area of the Movement Entire Chotanagpur region covering Ranchi Singhbhum Gumla Khunti Tamar Sarwada Present-day Jharkhand This area was historically inhabited by the Munda, Oraon, Ho, and Santhal tribes, but Birsa’s core following was from the Munda tribe. Why did the Ulgulan Revolt Erupt? (Major Reasons) Land Alienation Zamindars, moneylenders, and British policies dispossessed Mundas from their traditional khuntkatti lands. Outsiders (dikus) seized land through taxation, debt, and fraudulent contracts. Exploitative Agrarian System Beth-begari (forced labour) imposed by landlords. High rent, illegal levies, and bonded labour. Colonial Forest Policies British restrictions on shifting cultivation, forest access, forest produce, and grazing rights. Cultural Domination Missionary influence attempted to alter tribal culture and traditional faith. Birsa’s movement demanded revival of tribal dharma. Social Reform and Purification Birsa preached reform against alcohol, superstition, and internal divisions. Political Awakening The community believed Birsa would restore a Golden Age (Sat-Yug) by driving away dikus. This turned Ulgulan into a millenarian and political movement Nature and Features of Ulgulan Millenarian Movement: Promised liberation and restoration of Munda rule. Cultural Revival: Emphasised indigenous identity and autonomy. Armed Resistance: Attacked police stations, zamindars, and Christian mission institutions. Political Assertion: First organised tribal movement with a coherent ideology. Mass Mobilisation: Unified thousands of tribal households across Chotanagpur. Demands of the Munda Rebellion Restoration of traditional khuntkatti land rights. End to forced labour and exploitative tenancy. Freedom from missionary domination. Recognition of tribal self-rule. Expulsion of dikus from tribal land. Immediate Result of the Movement Birsa was arrested in March 1900, imprisoned, and died in Ranchi jail (June 1900). The rebellion was militarily suppressed by the British. Long-Term Outcomes & Legacy CNT Act, 1908 Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908) restricted transfer of tribal land to non-tribals. Institutionalised protection of tribal land rights. Rise of Tribal Political Consciousness: Ulgulan transformed tribal resistance from sporadic revolts to a structured political assertion. Cultural Assertion: Revived pride in tribal identity, customs, and autonomy. Administrative Reforms: Better regulation of zamindari and recognition of tribal customary laws. Modern Legacy: Birsa Munda remains a symbol of indigenous rights. His legacy contributed to the demand for Jharkhand statehood (2000). Celebrated annually as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas since 2021.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2023] How did colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to colonial oppression?

Linkage: The PYQ is relevant as colonial exploitation of land, forests, and culture sparked major tribal revolts like Ulgulan. The article links directly by showing Birsa Munda’s movement as a prime example of tribal resistance to colonial oppression.

Why in the News?

A Karnataka MP has claimed that Rabindranath Tagore composed ‘Jana Gana Mana’ as a welcome song for British officials, reigniting an old debate about its intent.

About the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’:

• Composition: Written by Rabindranath Tagore on December 11, 1911, in Sanskritised Bengali, as part of the five-stanza hymn Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata.
• First Performance: Sung on December 27, 1911, at the Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress, led by Sarala Devi Chowdhurani and Brahmo Samaj students.
• Controversy: Misinterpreted as a tribute to King George V at the Delhi Durbar (1911).
• Tagore’s Clarification: In a 1937 letter to Pulin Behari Sen, Tagore stated the song praised the “Dispenser of India’s destiny”, not any monarch.
• Freedom Movement Role: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose adopted it as the anthem of the Free India Centre (Berlin, 1941); it was performed with an orchestra in Hamburg (1942).
• Official Adoption: Declared National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, alongside Vande Mataram as National Song.
• Duration & Language: Full version lasts 52 seconds; a 20-second short version is also authorized; the Hindi rendering preserves Tagore’s poetic rhythm.

Legal and Constitutional Framework:

• Constitutional Basis: Protected under Article 51A(a) and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
• Penalties: Intentional disrespect punishable with up to 3 years’ imprisonment, fine, or both.
• Protocol: Must be sung unaltered, with standing at attention during performance; use for commercial or satirical purposes is banned.
• Judicial Rulings:
  • Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986) – Students refusing to sing for religious reasons but standing respectfully are protected under Article 25.
  • Shyam Narayan Chouksey v. Union of India (2016–2018) – Court made anthem in cinemas optional, emphasizing voluntary respect.
• Occasions: Played at official, educational, and diplomatic events, maintaining decorum and unity.

Comparison with the National Song ‘Vande Mataram’:

• Authorship: Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1870, featured in Anandamath (1882).
• First Sung: At the 1896 INC session, also by Rabindranath Tagore.
• Adoption: On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly gave equal honour to Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana.
• Meaning: Vande Mataram glorifies Mother India; Jana Gana Mana praises the divine ruler of destiny, uniting diverse communities.
• Symbolism: Together, they embody India’s patriotic spirit and spiritual harmony, Vande Mataram as the voice of reverence and revolution, Jana Gana Mana as the hymn of collective peace and identity.
• Presidential Declaration: Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1950) affirmed both songs have equal status and honour, representing India’s composite national soul.

[UPSC 2003] Which one of the following statements is NOT correct?  Options: (a) The National Song Vande Mataram was composed by Bankimchandra Chatterji originally in Bengali * (b) The National Calendar of India based on Saka era has its 1st Chaitra on 22nd March normally and 21st March in a leap year  (c) The design of the National Flag of India was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 22nd July, 1947  (d) The song ‘Jana-gana-mana’, composed originally in Bengali by Rabindranath Tagore was adopted in its Hindi version by the Constituent Assembly on 24th January, 1950 as the national anthem of India

 

Why in the News?

A recently launched book claims that the Indian National Army (INA) was not founded by Subhas Chandra Bose or Captain Mohan Singh.

New Claims and the Caveats: Author’s Proposition: The INA was not originally founded by Subhas Chandra Bose, but by Japanese Army Intelligence in collaboration with Indian nationalists abroad before his arrival. A pre-war agreement between Major Fujiwara Iwaichi (Japan) and Giani Pritam Singh (Bangkok, 1941) laid the INA’s groundwork, India’s liberation in exchange for aid to Japan’s campaign. Captain Mohan Singh, not Bose, served as first commander, but his role was later overshadowed. Bose took over in 1943, providing global visibility, structure, and leadership to the existing army. Caution for students: INA’s history is already complex and contested; this new interpretation adds another layer but does not necessarily overturn all accepted facts (e.g., Bose’s later leadership as per our standard references, the INA’s role in Indian nationalist memory). Some aspects (e.g., precise agreements between Japanese intelligence and Indian nationalists) may remain debated or partially documented.

About the Indian National Army (INA):

• Origins: Formed during World War II to fight British rule, the INA emerged from collaboration between Japanese intelligence and Indian nationalists before Subhas Chandra Bose took command.
• Initial Formation: Conceived in a 1938 Tokyo meeting between Rash Behari Bose; using Indian POWs in Southeast Asia to aid Japan’s war and India’s liberation.
• Early Leadership: Captain Mohan Singh of the 14 Punjab Regiment became its first commander, recruiting about 40,000 POWs with Japanese support. Internal disputes led to his removal, after which Rash Behari Bose sustained the movement via the Indian Independence League (Tokyo, 1942).
• Rise of Subhas Chandra Bose: Bose escaped British custody in 1941, travelled through Berlin and Japan, and reached Singapore in July 1943, where Rash Behari Bose handed him INA leadership.
• Reorganization Under Netaji: On August 25, 1943, Bose became Supreme Commander and established the Provisional Government of Free India (Azad Hind) on October 21, 1943, recognized by nine countries including Japan and Germany. Under the “Chalo Delhi” campaign, INA forces entered Manipur, raising their flag at Moirang, but progress halted after Japan’s 1945 defeat.
• Collapse and Trials: Following Japan’s surrender (August 15, 1945), the INA disbanded. Bose reportedly died in a plane crash (August 18, 1945). Captured INA officers were tried at the Red Fort (1945–46), the Sehgal–Dhillon–Khan trial became a symbol of unity, with Nehru, Bhulabhai Desai, and Asaf Ali defending them.

Nationalist Uprisings and Impact:

• Symbol of Unity: The INA represented armed nationalism and secular unity, transcending caste, region, and religion; the slogan “Jai Hind” became a national salute.
• Mass Protests: The INA trials sparked nationwide agitation, uniting students, soldiers, and civilians in solidarity.
• Key Confrontations:
  • Nov 21, 1945 – Calcutta police firing on INA protestors.
  • Feb 11, 1946 – Demonstrations against Rashid Ali’s sentencing.
  • Feb 18, 1946 – Royal Indian Navy (RIN) mutiny, with 20,000 sailors revolting in Bombay.
• Impact on British Rule: The INA’s defiance shattered British confidence in Indian troops’ loyalty. Even Clement Attlee (1956) admitted the INA and postwar unrest accelerated British withdrawal.
• Legacy: Unified militant and mass politics; inspired future Indian defense ethos; remains a symbol of courage and secular nationalism under Netaji’s leadership.

[UPSC 2021] In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal, and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as officers of the Indian National Army. Options: (a) Leaders of the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement (b) Members of the Interim Government in 1946 (c) Members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly (d) Officers of the Indian National Army*

 

Why in the News?

An inquiry has been ordered into a Pune land deal over alleged irregularities and undervaluation of 40 acres of a Watandari land.

What is the Watan / Watandari System?

• Overview: A hereditary land tenure and revenue-rights system once prevalent in Maharashtra and the Deccan, granting Watan lands to individuals or families for performing state or village services.
• Historical Origin: Evolved under the Rashtrakutas, Deccan Sultanates, and Mughals to institutionalise local governance through hereditary offices.
• Purpose: Created to compensate local officials and functionaries (like village heads, accountants, or priests) through land revenue rights rather than direct salaries.
• Administrative Role: Integrated local elite families into the state’s fiscal system, ensuring continuity of governance and tax collection.
• Socio-Economic Character: Reflected the fusion of land, caste, and service, forming a semi-feudal agrarian order at the village level.

Key Features of the Watan System:

• Hereditary Tenure: Watan rights and duties passed from one generation to another, often within the same lineage.
• Service-Based Grant: Land given as compensation for hereditary duties– administrative, military, or religious, performed for the state.
• Watandars: Holders included Patils, Kulkarnis, Deshmukhs, Josis, and Purohits, each tied to specific village roles.
• Non-Transferability: Watan lands were non-saleable and non-alienable, as tenure depended on continued public service.
• Revenue Rights: Watandars retained a share of village revenue in lieu of fixed payment, ensuring local autonomy.
• Caste-Linked Hierarchy: Reinforced hereditary privilege and caste dominance within village administration.
• Decline and Inefficiency: Over time, hereditary claims caused disputes, mismanagement, and reduced accountability.

[UPSC 2024] With reference to revenue collection by Cornwallis, consider the following statements: 1. Under the Ryotwari Settlement of revenue collection, the peasants were exempted from revenue payment in case of bad harvests or natural calamities. 2. Under the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, if the Zamindar failed to pay his revenues to the state on or before the fixed date, he would be removed from his Zamindari. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? Options: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only* (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

Why in the News?

In his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon citizens to commemorate 150 years of our national song “Vande Mataram”.

About Vande Mataram:

• Overview: Written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay around 1875, originally in Sanskrit (Bengali script) and later included in his novel Anandamath (1882), depicting the Sannyasi Rebellion against British rule.
• Meaning: It means “I bow to thee, Mother”, symbolising devotion to the motherland, unity, and the spirit of sacrifice.
• First Rendition: First sung publicly by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Indian National Congress Session, transforming it into a nationalist anthem.
• Role in Freedom Struggle: Became a rallying cry for revolutionaries in Swadeshi Movement, sung in protests, prisons, and meetings representing Ma Bharati as a symbol of resistance and national pride.
• Official Status: In 1937, the Indian National Congress adopted its first two stanzas as the National Song; on January 24, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad granted it equal status with Jana Gana Mana in the Constituent Assembly.
• Structure & Style: Comprises six stanzas, combining Sanskrit precision and Bengali rhythm, praising India’s nature, strength, and divinity.
• Translations & Music: Sri Aurobindo translated it into English (Karmayogin, 1909); V.D. Paluskar and Ravi Shankar popularised musical renditions.
• Cultural Symbolism: Personifies India as the Divine Mother, transcending religious and regional divides; played instrumentally at the end of Parliamentary sessions.

[UPSC 2016] ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ were adopted as methods of struggle for the first time during the Options: (a) Agitation against the Partition of Bengal * (b) Home Rule Movement (c) Non-Cooperation Movement (d) Visit of the Simon Commission to India

 

Why in the News?

The Ministry of Culture is commemorating 200 years of Rani Chennamma’s victory over the British, marking her as a pioneering figure in India’s early anti-colonial resistance.

Who was Rani Chennamma?

• Birth and Early Life: Born on 23 October 1778 in Kakati village, Belagavi district, Karnataka, to a Lingayat family known for valour and self-reliance.
• Marriage: Married at the age of 15 to Raja Mallasarja Desai, ruler of Kittur, a small princely state in present-day Karnataka.
• Ascension to Power: After her husband’s death in 1816, and the death of her only son, she adopted Shivalingappa as her heir to secure the throne.
• Conflict with the British: The British East India Company rejected the adoption under the Doctrine of Lapse, declaring Kittur annexed to British India.
• Battle of Kittur (1824): When John Thackery, the British political agent at Dharwad, attacked Kittur with 20,000 troops, she led her army personally and killed Thackery in battle.
• Resistance and Leadership: Trained in horse-riding, swordsmanship, and military strategy, she employed guerrilla tactics and rallied local soldiers and peasants against British forces.
• Defeat and Imprisonment: After initial victory, the British reinforced their attack, captured Kittur Fort, and imprisoned her at Bailhongal Fort, where she died in 1829.
• Historical Position: Recognised as India’s first female freedom fighter, her uprising predates the Revolt of 1857 and symbolizes early defiance against colonial annexation.

Back2Basics: Doctrine of Lapse Origin: Introduced by Lord Dalhousie, Governor-General of India (1848–1856), as a tool of colonial expansion under British East India Company rule. Core Principle: Stated that any princely state without a natural male heir would be annexed by the British; adopted heirs were not recognised. Purpose: Justified British annexations under the pretext of maintaining “good governance” and administrative efficiency. Annexed States: Applied to Satara (1848), Sambalpur (1849), Udaipur (1852), Jhansi (1853), and Nagpur (1854), among others. Violation of Indian Customs: Contradicted the Indian tradition of adoption and hereditary succession, angering princely rulers across India. Impact on Revolt of 1857: The doctrine became one of the major causes of resentment leading to the First War of Independence (1857). Abolition: The policy was abandoned in 1859, after the end of Company rule and the assumption of power by the British Crown.

 

[UPSC 2014] What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)? 1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States 2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown 3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with India Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only* (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

 

Why in the News?

The Prime Minister has paid tribute to Rani Rashmoni on her birth anniversary on 28th September.

Who was Rani Rashmoni (1793–1861)?

• Overview: A prominent zamindar, businesswoman, philanthropist, and social reformer from 19th-century Bengal.
• Birth: Born on 28 September 1793 in Halisahar, Bengal.
• Marriage: Married at the age of 11 to Raja Raj Chandra Das, wealthy zamindar of Janbazar, Kolkata.
• Leadership: Took charge of the estate and business after her husband’s death in 1836, unusual for women of her time.
• Reputation: Revered as “Lokmata” (Mother of the People) for her courage, administration, and social commitment.

Her Contributions:

• Patronage: Built the Dakshineswar Kali Temple (1847–1855); appointed Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa as chief priest despite caste opposition.
• Social Reforms: Opposed polygamy and child marriage; supported widow remarriage; submitted a draft bill against polygamy to the British.
• Public Welfare & Infrastructure: Constructed major ghats on the Ganga including Babughat, Ahiritola Ghat, Nimtala Ghat. Funded roads, reservoirs, and pilgrim facilities, such as the road from Subarnarekha River to Puri.
• Resistance to British Rule: Fought against fishing taxes on Hooghly fishermen by blocking river traffic, compelling British to abolish the tax. Defied British restrictions on Durga Puja processions, preserving traditions.
• Support for Education & Culture: Donated to the Imperial Library (now National Library of India) and Hindu College (now Presidency University). Established schools for women and marginalized groups.

[UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy: I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East. II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) I only (b) II only (c) Both I and II* (d) Neither I nor II

 

Why in the News?

On his birth anniversary (26 September), the Union Home Minister paid tribute to the Bengali social reformer, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.

About Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar:

• Birth & Death: Born on 26 September 1820 in Birsingha, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal; died on 29 July 1891 in Kolkata.
• Early Life: Born into a poor priest family to Thakurdas Bandyopadhyay and Bhagavati Devi.
• Title “Vidyasagar”: Meaning “Ocean of Knowledge,” conferred by Sanskrit College for his mastery of Sanskrit and philosophy.
• Education: Excelled in Sanskrit grammar, Vedanta, literature, astronomy, logic; graduated with honours in 1841 from Sanskrit College, Calcutta.
• Career: Served as Head Pandit at Fort William College, later Principal of Sanskrit College, Kolkata, and also Inspector of Schools.

His Contributions:

• Educational Reforms:

  • Simplified and modernised the Bengali alphabet and prose.
  • Authored “Borno Porichoy”, a primer still used to teach Bengali script.
  • Opened teacher training institutions and promoted non-Brahmin access to Sanskrit College.
  • Advocated blending traditional Indian learning with Western education.

• Women’s Rights and Social Reform:

  • Leading advocate of Hindu widow remarriage; efforts led to the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act, 1856.
  • Strongly opposed child marriage and polygamy.
  • Championed raising the age of consent, influencing the Age of Consent Act, 1891.
  • Promoted women’s education, serving as secretary of the Hindu Female School (later Bethune School).

• Philanthropy and Grassroots Work:

  • Founded schools for girls and adults in Santhal Parganas (Jharkhand).
  • Set up a free homeopathy clinic for tribals and the poor.

• Language and Literature:

  • Regarded as the Father of Modern Bengali Prose.
  • Made Bengali prose clear, concise, and accessible to common people.

[UPSC 2021] Who among the following was associated as Secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School? Options: (a) Annie Besant (b) Debendranath Tagore  (c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar* (d) Sarojini Naidu