• Born: 26^th September1820 in West Bengal
• He was bestowed the title of Vidyasagar in 1839 for his mastery over Sanskrit and philosophy.
• Died: 29^th 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 19^th 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