26-Sep-2024
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
History
- Born: 26th September1820 in West Bengal
- He was bestowed the title of Vidyasagar in 1839 for his mastery over Sanskrit and philosophy.
- Died: 29th July 1891 at the age of 70 years.
- His Role as Educationist
- He advocated for universal education, believing everyone, regardless of caste or gender, should have access to education.
- He opened Sanskrit College to lower-caste individuals and encouraged the study and reinterpretation of ancient texts for modern use.
- He established 20 model schools in Hooghly, Midnapore, Burdwan, and Nadia, overseeing their administration and teacher recruitment.
- He added English, Western Sciences, and Mathematics to the curriculum and implemented admission and tuition fees.
- He designated Sunday as a weekly holiday and established summer vacations in May and June.
- He revolutionized the Bengali education system by reforming the writing and teaching of the Bengali language.
- A Reformist
- He was a 19th century polymath whose remarkable contributions significantly improved the status of women in India.
- His relentless efforts resulted in the passage of the Widow Remarriage Act in 1856 by then Government of India.
- To promote widow remarriage, he encouraged his son, Narayan Chandra Bandyopadhya, to marry a widow.
- He advocated for women's education and fought against the practice of child marriage.
- He also opposed the social custom of Kulin Brahmin polygamy, which led to severe exploitation of women, including child marriages and the mistreatment of widows.
- His Literary works
- 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)
- Ratnopariksha (1886)
- Literary Works on Reforms
- Bidhobabivah (1855): Focused on the right of widows to remarry.
- Bahubivah (1871): Advocated for the banning of polygamy.
- Balyabivah: Critiqued the flaws of child marriage.
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar