04-12-2024
05:35 AM
Prelims: History of India & Indian National Movement.
Mains: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present-significant events, personalities, issues.
The Dharma Sabha was founded in 1830 in Calcutta by Radhakanta Deb, with the primary goal of opposing the socio-religious reform movements led by figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Henry Derozio. Dharma Sabha served as a conservative response to these reform efforts, aiming to protect traditional Hindu values and practices.
Although an orthodox society, the Dharma Sabha supported the promotion of Western education, even for girls. However, the Dharma Sabha strongly opposed social reforms such as the abolition of sati and worked to maintain the existing socio-religious order.
The colonial presence in India sparked a new awareness and desire for social and religious reform in the early 19th century. As traditional institutions faced challenges from Western culture, a re-evaluation of Indian culture and tradition ensued. As a result, theDharma Sabha was formed by conservative Hindu groups in response to Western-focused reform movements like the Brahmo Samaj.
Radhakanta Deb, a prominent leader of conservative Hindu society in Calcutta, established the Dharma Sabha in 1830. A strong advocate for education, he promoted English education among Hindus and supported women's education.
Radhakanta Deb served as the President of the British Indian Association. He also supported David Hare and aided in the establishment of the Hindu College in Calcutta.
In December 1829, following the government's ban on sati under Lord William Bentinck, Radhakanta Deb and other leaders of the Dharma Sabha opposed the legislation, defending traditional Hindu practices.
The objectives for forming the Dharma Sabha stemmed from a new law introduced by British colonial rule that banned the practice of sati (burning of widows alive). The primary focus of the Dharma Sabha was to oppose this law. Some segments of the Hindu community saw it as British interference in their religious practices.
Moreover, the sabha also sought to unite conservative Hindus to resist excessive liberalization and Western influence. Despite its orthodox views, the Dharma Sabha supported the spread of Western education, recognizing the importance of modern learning.
The Dharma Sabha, established in 1830 by Radhakanta Deb, became a significant organization dedicated to preserving Hindu traditions and resisting reforms that challenged orthodox practices.
The Dharma Sabha was formed in opposition to reformist movements like the Brahmo Samaj. It tried to preserve traditional Hindu customs and practices, which contributed to the consolidation of conservative Hindu identity in the face of growing Western influence and social change.
Consider the following pairs: (UPSC CSE 2017)
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (b)
Q1. Who founded Dharma Sabha?
Ans. The Dharma Sabha was founded in 1830 in Calcutta by Radhakanta Deb
Q2. What was the objective of Dharma Sabha?
Ans. The primary objective was to preserve traditional Hindu customs and practices and oppose the social reform movements led by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Henry Derozio.
Q3. How did the Dharma Sabha view the promotion of widow remarriage?
Ans. The Dharma Sabha strongly opposed the promotion of widow remarriage.
Q4. What was one significant publication issued by the Dharma Sabha?
Ans. One significant publication issued by the Dharma Sabha was a newspaper titled Samachar Chandrika.
Q5. How did the Dharma Sabha respond to the ban on sati?
Ans. The Dharma Sabha challenged Lord William Bentinck's ban on sati by bringing the matter before the Privy Council.
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