Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Contribution in Education, Social Reform, and Linguistics

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A Teacher, Notable Activist & Thinker

• In 1846, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar assumed the role of ‘Assistant Secretary’ at the Sanskrit College.
• During his time as the Principal of the Sanskrit College from 1851 to 1858, Vidyasagar introduced significant reforms in both administrative and educational aspects.
• In an era when the concept of universal education was virtually non-existent, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar strongly advocated that education should be accessible to all, regardless of caste or gender. 
• He opened the doors of the Sanskrit College to individuals from lower castes. 
• Additionally, he supported scholars to study ancient sacred texts and reinterpret them for contemporary relevance.
• Furthermore, Vidyasagar established 20 model schools across regions like Hooghly, Midnapore, Burdwan, and Nadia. 
  • He oversaw these schools, recruited teachers, and devised their curricula. 
  • He transformed the examination system by replacing annual exams with monthly ones. 
  • He introduced the study of English, Western Sciences, and Mathematics and introduced admission fees and tuition fees. 
• Vidyasagar also implemented a ‘Sunday’ weekly holiday and designated May and June as the summer vacation months.
• Vidyasagar brought about a revolution in the Bengali education system by reforming the way the Bengali language was both written and taught.

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a polymath reformer of the nineteenth century whose remarkable contributions played an important role in transforming the status of women in India. 
• Upon studying ancient texts, he became convinced that the lowly position of Hindu women in his era was not justified by scriptures but rather stemmed from prevailing power dynamics in society. 
• Through his relentless efforts, the government of India passed the Widow Remarriage Act in 1856. In order to garner public support for this provision, he even encouraged his own son, Narayan Chandra Bandyopadhyaya, to marry a widow. 
• Unlike other reformers who aimed to establish alternative societies or systems, Vidyasagar sought to effect change from within society itself. 
• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar courageous initiatives were instrumental in introducing widow remarriage into the conservative Hindu Brahmin society of Bengal. 
• He advocated for women’s education and passionately opposed the cruel practice of child marriage. 
• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar founded 35 girls’ schools throughout Bengal, including the Metropolitan School of Calcutta, with the primary goal of making women self-sufficient and empowered. 
• Vidyasagar also waged a determined campaign against the prevailing social custom of Kulin Brahmin polygamy. 
  • This practice allowed some men to have as many as eighty wives, leading to situations where elderly individuals married teenage girls or even children. 
• The unfortunate widows resulting from these marriages were sentenced to lives of suffering. 
  • They faced severe restrictions, doncning plain white cotton sarees and shaving their heads. Some widows were even cast out of their homes, ending up as prostitutes, victims of rape, or unsupported mothers. 
• Vidyasagar stood resolute against the entrenched conservative powers in Hindu society, displaying a progressive outlook that was far ahead of his times. 
• His efforts to push women, promote their self-sufficiency, prosperity, and empowerment, alongside his tireless work for women’s education, stand as a unique and enduring legacy.

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is acknowledged for the reformation of the Bengali script. He updated Bengali typography by creating an alphabet comprising 12 vowels and 40 consonants, eliminating the Sanskrit phonetic elements.
• His book ‘BornoPorichoy,’ meaning ‘Introduction to the Letters,’ remains a foundational text for learning the Bengali alphabet.
• Additionally, he played an important role in the Bengal Renaissance, a cultural, social, intellectual, and artistic movement that spanned from the 19th century to the early 20th century.
  • During this renaissance period, there was a remarkable surge in Bengali literature, with Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar leading the way. 
• Vidyasagar authored nearly ten books on Bengal’s history and literature, all of which are considered classics in contemporary times.

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar kept biographical accounts of numerous eminent figures from world history, aiming to provide inspiration to the younger generation by presenting them with compelling examples of qualities such as resilience, hard work, integrity, patience, persistence, courage, determination, and a philosophy of life.
• Some of his notable works include “Betaal Panchavinsati” (1847), “Banglar Itihaas” (1848), “Jivancharita” (1849), “Shakuntala” (1854), “Mahabharata” (1860), “Seetar Vanavas” (1860), “Bhrantivilaas” (1869), “Oti Alpa Hoilo” (1873), “Aabaar Oti Alpa Hoilo” (1873), “Brajavilaas” (1884), and “Ratnopariksha” (1886).
• Vidyasagar’s contributions to social reform included “Bidhobabivah,” addressing widows’ right to remarry (1855), “Bahubivah,” advocating for the prohibition of polygamy (1871), and “Balyabivah,” highlighting the drawbacks of child marriage.