Question 99 from UPSC CSE 2025 - Modern History

Question

Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
1. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East.
2. 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?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Both 1 and 2

Strategy: In statement-based questions about key reformers, it is important to identify their core values and philosophical alignments. For statement 1, recall that Raja Ram Mohan Roy advocated for both critical reform and deep respect towards India's classical philosophies, promoting the idea of drawing from the best of Indian tradition. Statement 2 matches his well-known advocacy for rationalism, scientific outlook, human dignity, and gender equality. Both statements reflect his syncretic and reform-oriented ideology, thus, both are correct.

Key Info: Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833) was a pioneering Indian reformer, often called the 'Father of Indian Renaissance.' He founded the Brahmo Sabha (1828), which evolved into the Brahmo Samaj, catalyzing major socio-religious changes in 19th-century India. Roy was influenced by the Vedantic monotheist tradition and promoted a synthesis of Eastern philosophy and Western rationalist thought. He respected ancient Indian philosophical systems, especially Vedanta, but also demanded their rational reinterpretation. Roy campaigned against practices like sati, polygamy, child marriage, and rigid caste discrimination. He advocated women's rights, including widow remarriage and education, and promoted the principles of equality and human dignity. Roy was instrumental in introducing modern education in India, supporting English-language instruction and scientific curricula. He wrote extensively, including works like 'Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin' and 'Precepts of Jesus,' and engaged in public debates with Christian missionaries, pointing out the universality of moral and rational values. Roy's actions helped lay the foundations for the Indian reform movements of the 19th and 20th centuries, emphasizing the need for a rational, scientific approach compatible with the principle of human equality.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2