Young Bengal Movement: Progressive Renaissance, Ideas & Reform

Young Bengal Movement: Progressive Renaissance, Ideas & Reform

Young Bengal Movement: Derozio’s Progressive Enlightenment

In the late 1820s and early 1830s, a progressive intellectual Young Bengal movement took shape among the youth in Bengal, eventually becoming known as the “Young Bengal Movement.” Leading and inspiring this forward-thinking trend was the young Anglo-Indian teacher Henry Vivian Derozio (1809-1831), who served as an educator at the Hindu College from 1826 to 1831.

Young Bengal Movement: Derozio’s Revolutionary Ideals and Nationalist Poetry

Inspired by the great French Revolution, Derozio inspired his pupils:
- to think freely and rationally,
- to question all authority,
- to love liberty, equality and freedom, and
- to oppose decadent customs and traditions.
He supported women’s rights and education.
He was also perhaps the first nationalist poet of modern India.

Young Bengal Movement: Derozio’s Short-Lived Influence and Challenges

Derozio’s influence was short as he was removed from the Hindu College in 1831 due to his radical views.
- The main reason for their limited success was the disapproving social conditions of the era, which were not favorable to the acceptance of radical ideas.
- Additionally, they lacked support from any other social group or class, and the Derozians had no real connection with the broader population.
- They did not support the cause of peasants or other marginalized groups.
- Their radicalism was primarily theoretical and not effectively applied in practice.

Young Bengal Movement: Derozians’ Advocacy for Reform and Progress

The Derozians continued the Rammohan Roy tradition of public education in social, economic and political issues.
- They demanded induction of Indians into higher service classes.
- Protection of ryots from oppressive zamindars.
- Better treatment of Indian labour abroad in British colonies.
- Revision of the Company’s charter.
- Freedom of the press and trial by jury.

In the future, Surendranath Banerjea would characterize the Derozians as the trailblazers of young Bengal movement modern civilization, the forefathers of our community whose admirable qualities would be admired, and their shortcomings handled with the utmost kindness.

Paramahansa Mandali: Maharashtra’s Parallel to the Young Bengal Movement

Dadoba Pandurang and Mehtaji Durgaram founded the Paramhansa Mandala in 1849 within Maharashtra.
- It initially operated as a clandestine organization with the goal of reforming Hindu religion and society.

Mandali’s objectives and principles: Young Bengal Movement Progressive Ideals

The society’s ideology closely aligned with the Young Bengal Movement and the Manav Dharma Sabha, emphasizing the worship of a single God and the belief that genuine religion should be founded on love and moral conduct.
The promotion of freedom of thought and rationality was encouraged.
The Mandali placed significant focus on challenging caste-based regulations.
During their gatherings, members consumed meals prepared by individuals from lower castes.
These mandals also championed the causes of widow remarriage and women’s education.
Paramahansa Mandali branches were established in several cities across Maharashtra, including Pune and Satara.

Gopal Ganesh Agarkar (1856-1895)

Birth: Gopal Ganesh Agarkar was born on July 14, 1856, in Tembhu, Satara district, Maharashtra.
Beliefs: Agarkar advocated for rationalism, individualism, equality, and humanism as part of his philosophical beliefs.
Education and Media: He believed that education and the press were essential tools for disseminating these ideas.
Social Reforms: Agarkar’s social reform initiatives included advocating for women’s liberation, opposing superstitious rituals, working to eliminate caste discrimination, promoting a scientific mindset, and advancing education for both men and women.
Enlightenment Influence: He drew inspiration from the Age of Enlightenment in Europe and the writings of thinkers like Mill, Spencer, Voltaire, and Rousseau, which shaped his commitment to scientific rationalism.
Contributions:
- Opposition to Caste System: Gopal Ganesh Agarkar strongly opposed the prevailing ill practices in society. He initiated his periodical, Sudharak, in 1887, as a platform to campaign against the injustices of untouchability and the caste system.
- Women’s Empowerment: Agarkar’s concern for women’s rights was rooted in his childhood, where he witnessed the suffering of his two widowed aunts.
  - He drew inspiration from John Stuart Mill’s work, “The Subjection of Women,” which highlighted the importance of women’s status in evaluating a society.
  - He actively supported causes like Widow Remarriage, the Age of Consent Bill, and Pandita Ramabai’s Widows’ Home in Pune.
- Promotion of Education: Gopal Ganesh Agarkar believed in the transformative role of education for both men and women.
  - To further this goal, he collaborated with Bal Gangadhar Tilak in establishing educational institutions such as the New English School, the Deccan Education Society, and Fergusson College.
- Rationalism: Agarkar was a strong advocate of rationality and believed in the power of reason to challenge blind superstitious beliefs.
  - He advocated for leading a life based on rationality and equality.
- Morality and Religion: He made a distinction between morality and religion, emphasizing the importance of moral values beyond religious boundaries.