Raja Ram Mohan Roy and traditional philosophical systems of the East
Previous Year Questions: This question has been asked in the UPSC Civil Services Exam 2025 – Prelims – General Studies Paper I, held on Sunday, 25 May 2025.
Question: 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
प्रश्न: राजा राम मोहन राय के बारे में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिये:
I. उनमे प्राच्या विश्व के पारंपरिक दार्शनिक सिद्धांतों के प्रति अत्यंत अनुराग और समादर था।
II. उनकी कामना थी कि उनके देशवासी तर्कसंगत और वैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोण तथा सभी पुरुषों और महिलाओं की मानवीय गरिमा और सामाजिक समता के सिद्धांत को मानें।
उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/कौन-से सही है/हैं?
(a) केवल I
(b) केवल II
(c) I और II दोनों
(d) न तो I और न ही II
Topic: Indian National Movement
Explanation:
Both statements I and II accurately reflect the reformist vision and intellectual approach of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, one of the foremost pioneers of the Indian Renaissance in the 19th century. Roy sought to harmonize the ethical and spiritual insights of ancient Indian philosophy with the emerging rationalist and scientific perspectives of the modern West. He believed that a reformed and enlightened society must be rooted in both spiritual depth and intellectual clarity.
Roy was a vocal critic of regressive practices like Sati (the burning of widows), which he condemned as inhumane and irrational. His tireless campaigns contributed significantly to the abolition of Sati in 1829, a landmark achievement in Indian social reform. Roy’s activism was driven by a profound commitment to human dignity, individual rights, and moral justice, values he believed should be the foundation of any society.
He also strongly advocated for the education and upliftment of women, challenging the patriarchal norms that had long excluded them from intellectual and social life. His efforts were aimed at eliminating discriminatory customs, advancing gender equality, and fostering a culture of inclusive progress.
Statement I: Raja Ram Mohan Roy drew deeply from classical Indian texts, such as the Upanishads and Vedantic literature, which he interpreted through the lens of reason and morality. Rather than rejecting tradition, he sought to reformulate Hinduism in a way that aligned with modern values and ethical monotheism. This vision led to the founding of the Brahmo Samaj in 1828, an organization dedicated to reforming religious practices, promoting monotheism, and advocating for social reform within Hindu society.
Statement II: Roy was profoundly influenced by the Enlightenment ideals of rational inquiry, human rights, and scientific thought. He viewed rationalism not as a Western import, but as a universal principle that could guide the evolution of Indian society. For Roy, reason and ethics were essential tools in the battle against superstition, social injustice, and inequality. He championed equality between men and women, supported the spread of scientific education, and argued for the freedom of thought and expression—all as necessary pillars of a just and progressive nation.
Source(s): ” Comprehensive Modern Indian History : From 1707 to The Modern Times“ written by Brijesh Singh, published by S Chand.
