Remembering the role of social reformer and educator : Ishwar Chandra Bandyopadhyay ‘Vidyasagar’ in uplifting the Bharatiya society.
Today marks the death anniversary of social reformer and educator – Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. He protested against polygamy, child-marriage and favoured widow remarriage and women’s education in India. Because of his contribution towards such issues, the Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856, making the marriage of widows legal during the British Raj.
Against child marriage, efforts of Vidyasagar led to Age of Consent Act, 1891. In which the minimum age of consummation of marriage was 12 years.
He is also fondly called the “Father of Bengali Prose” for his efforts to simplify and modernize Bengali prose. He is also revered for rationalizing and simplifying the Bengali alphabet.
Due to his excellent academic performance in Sanskrit studies and philosophy, He was given the honorific title Vidyasagar.
Vidyasagar: An Account of his Early Life
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was born to Thakurdas Bandyopadhyay and Bhagavati Devi at Birsingha village in the erstwhile Midnapore District on 26 September 1820. At the age of 9, he went to Calcutta.
He used to study under a street light due to poverty. Despite poor economic conditions, he cleared all the examinations with excellence and in quick succession. He was rewarded with a number of scholarships for his academic performance. To support himself and the family, Ishwar Chandra also took a part-time job of teaching.
Ishwar Chandra joined the Sanskrit College, Calcutta and studied there for twelve long years. He married at the age of fourteen.
He cleared the Sanskrit Law Examination and joined Fort William College as head of the Sanskrit department.
Vidyasagar: A Synonym for Social Reform and Girls Education
Vidyasagar was an advocate of women’s rights. He supported the education of girls and fought for the right to study. Vidyasagar believed that education is the key to empowering women.
He advocated widow remarriage. He believed that widows deserve a second chance for happiness and worked to change social attitudes about remarriage. These efforts led to the passing of the Widows’ Remarriage Act of 1856, which legalized widow remarriage.
Vidyasagar established schools and colleges exclusively for women, providing opportunities for learning and personal development. He strongly opposed practices like child marriage, polygamy and gender discrimination
Vidyasagar’s Pitch for Tribal Upliftement
Vidyasagar came to Karmatar in 1873 and spent more than 18 years of his life here. He had set up a girls’ school and a night school for adults on the premises of his house, which he called Nandan Kanan. He also opened a free homeopathy clinic to provide some medical care to these unprivileged tribal people.
The Government of Jharkhand on 26 September 2019 named Jamtara district’s Karmatand block as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Block as a mark of respect on the birth anniversary of the great social reformer.
Vidyasagar’s efforts to eradicate caste discrimination are very important. He believed that caste was a social structure that had no place in modern society. He worked to remove caste barriers and promote social equality. His efforts had a lasting impact on Indian society, and caste discrimination is now illegal in India.
Vidyasagar: The Father of Bengali Prose
He worked to standardize the Bengali language by simplifying the grammar and introducing punctuation. His efforts made the language more accessible to the public and helped develop its use in literature and education. Vidyasagar was also an accomplished writer in Bengali. He wrote several textbooks, novels and essays that helped popularize the language.
His novels explore social issues and depict characters who challenge existing norms and traditions. In works such as Barna Parichay, Bhranti Bilas and Shakuntala, he had provided a critical analysis of society, addressing themes such as caste discrimination, the status of women and religious practices. Vidyasagar’s writings encouraged readers to reflect on their actions and strive for personal and societal improvement.
His Remarkable Impact on Society
Vidyasagar left an indelible mark on the field of education, establishing principles and practices that continue to guide the modern education system. Vidyasagar’s visionary thinking and consistent efforts are evident from his deep belief in the power of education to transform individuals and society.
His support for widow remarriage and addressing the challenge of caste system are a catalyst for social change.
Vidyasagar’s legacy is a source of inspiration for education worldwide, reminding us of the transformative power of education in building a better future.