Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was one of the chief exponents of Bengal Renaissance. He was born on 26th September 1820. As a public intellectual, he drew on the modernist worldview of the Western Civilization to challenge the feudal clichéd orthodoxy of Hinduism and consequently brought about fundamental reforms in 19th century Bengal society. Vidyasagar was a public intellectual, writer, translator, printer, publisher, entrepreneur and reformer.
Drawing on the modern sensibilities of the Industrialized West, Vidyasagar had a pivotal role to play in challenging the Hindu Orthodoxy and fought vehemently to introduce the practice of widow remarriage. In order to convince the orthodox pundits of Indian society, he explained widow remarriage by drawing on examples from Indian shastras. Finally on 26th July 1856 widow remarriage act namely Hindu Widow Remarriage Act 1856 was passed. Vidyasagar also played an important role in order to end unjustified practice of polygamy among the upper caste Hindu Kulin Brahmins. As a consequence of which, Civil Marriage Act was passed in 1872.
Vidyasagar brought significant changes in the education system of Bengal. In the sphere of public education, the incredible achievement of Vidyasagar was manifested in his effort to refine the old form of Bengali language to make it accessible to the common people. His “Barna - Porichoy” continues to enjoy unparalleled popularity among Bengali students. Many scholars consider it to be the first secular textbook written in Bengali language. His activities were not limited only to writing books. Common people did not have access to education in 19th century Bengal. It could be noted in this context that the so-called elite and intelligentsia of colonial Bengal were hell bent in opposing education for the masses. As a true proponent of Renaissance, Vidyasagar embarked on the daunting task of proliferation of education. He established 20 model schools in rural settings of Bengal. Women education in colonial Bengal was virtually non-existent, partly owing to the age-old feudal practices and partially due to some erroneous belief system of a patriarchal society. Vidyasagar inexorably flouted that elite upper-caste patriarchal tradition and opened thirty-five schools for girls in between 1857 and 1858. He was instrumental in the establishment of “Calcutta Female School”. His relentless and meticulous work to include all in the educational sphere might be considered as the beginning of universalization of education in India. He was a true reformer of education in colonial Bengal. We all owe to Vidyasagar even in 21st century.
His endeavor to bring in radical changes in the realm of higher education became evident once he became Principal of Sanskrit College. He became Principal of Sanskrit College on 22nd January 1851. He held the post of Principal up to 5th August 1858. In his tenure as a Principal, Vidyasagar brought significant changes in the educational curriculum. There is no denying that his enthusiasm for the reconstruction of education system had a profound impact on Bengali society. As a principal, he opened the door of Sanskrit college for all by putting an end to the upper caste hegemony. Till then it was the institution only for the upper caste Brahmins and Vaidyas, who had enjoyed a mythological right to study Vedas and Sanskrit. He revised the syllabus and pursued teaching of grammar and mathematics (including algebra) through English (the medium of instruction had been Sanskrit before). The paradigmatic shift from Sanskrit to English as a medium of instruction had a deep impact as it opened up the gate of modern epistemology of Western civilization for Indian students. This was, in true sense, an effort to secularize education. Vidyasagar realized the fact that in order to popularize and expand education among common masses, instruction through vernacular language was essential. It is no wonder then, apart from English, he initiated teaching of many subjects through Bengali. Vidyasagar was deeply inspired by the Modernist worldview and drew on the scientific, secular tradition of the West. Standing in the middle of the 19th century, Vidyasagar gave importance on the teaching of modern science and philosophy. He showed great courage by refusing to accept the Sankhya and Vedanta philosophy and included Bacon's philosophy and JS Mill's logic in the curriculum of Sanskrit College. It is no wonder that the title 'Vidyasagar' (ocean of knowledge) was conferred to him by Sanskrit College, owing to his enormous knowledge in Sanskrit studies and philosophy.
Vidyasagar died on 29th July, 1891. It is no surprise that shortly after his death, Rabindranath Tagore wrote, “One wonders, how God, in the process of producing forty million Bengalis, produced a man.” We pay tribute to Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar on his birthday.
