In the 19th century, when on the one hand the Bengalis were learning the lessons of pseudo-modernity after being favored by the English, on the other hand, the medieval darkness inside their minds - at that time, Vidyasagar made the nation shine with self-respect and education.
Basic Introduction:- Vidyasagar was born on September 26, 1820 in Birsingh village of Medinipur district. Father Thakurdas Banerjee Mother Bhagwati Devi. In 1829, Vidyasagar was admitted to the third class of grammar in the Sanskrit College. He studied in Sanskrit College for twelve years. In 1839 he passed the law examination with distinction. The title 'Vidyasagar' was first used in his testimonial.
Career:- In 1841, at the age of twenty one, Vidyasagar joined the post of Principal Scholar of Fort William College. In 1846, he joined the Sanskrit College as a co-editor, but due to differences with the authorities, he resigned and returned to the Fort William College. However, in 1851, Vidyasagar took charge of the Sanskrit College. As principal, he opened the doors of the Sanskrit College to non-Brahmin students. Acknowledging Bengali and English as medium of education along with Sanskrit, he established normal schools for teacher training.
Promotion of women's education:- Vidyasagar established thirty-five schools in different districts for the purpose of promotion of women's education. Nari Shiksha Bhandar was established to help girls in education. However, Vidyasagar's best work in life is to promote widow marriage. It was on his initiative that the British government introduced the Widow Marriage Act in 1856. Literary creation: Varnaprachaya Vidyasagar's unforgettable feat. Apart from this, he wrote several memorable translated books, such as - Sita's Banvas, Bhrantivilas, Kathamala, Bodhodaya, Betal Panbinshati etc. Based on Marshman's History of Bengg, he wrote the history of Bengal.
Current Relevance:- Vidyasagar is still relevant even after two hundred years of its birth. Keeping that in mind, the state government has taken the initiative to celebrate Vidyasagar's birth bicentenary with due dignity. It has been decided to distribute free Varna Perikaya as a traditional book in primary and first class at the school level. Vidyasagar was practiced in schools from 21st to 26th September through debates, discussion exhibitions etc.
social reform:- His unique role in social reform will be forever remembered in Bengali life. With his concentrated and energetic efforts, the Widow Marriage Act was enacted and enforced. He is a great figure for Hindu widows. He married the first widow with his son. Distressed women services – to save with help. He also established the Hindu Family Annuity Fund and introduced women's education.
Vidyasagar was always vocal about the oppression that the society inflicted on women at that time. He was very close to his mother who was a woman of great character, who directed him once to do something to alleviate the pain and helplessness of Hindu widows, who were forced to live a life of abnegation. They were denied basic pleasures of life, marginalised in the society, often exploited unfairly and treated as a burden by their family. Vidyasagar’s compassionate heart could not take their plight and he made it his mission to improve the quality of life for these helpless women. He faced raging opposition from orthodox society which termed the concept as something heretic. He challenged the Brahminical authorities and proved that widow remarriage is sanctioned by Vedic scriptures. He took his arguments to the British Authorities and his pleas were heard when the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856 or Act XV, 1856, was decreed on July 26, 1856. He did not just stop there. He initiated several matches for child or adolescent widows within respectable families and even married his son Narayan Chandra to an adolescent widow in 1870 to set an example.
Struggle:- He was one of the founding members of Calcutta University. Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar is also legendary for his devotion to his mother. He has always fought relentlessly against superstition, bigotry and bigotry. The Bengali nation first found the first example of growing up, becoming competent, humane, modern, progressive and universal in the sea of knowledge. Rabindranath Tagore said about him – “He. He was not a Hindu, he was not a Bengali or a Brahmin, he was a 'man'. The significance of this comment is profound. Because it is not easy to be a proper person. Rabindranath say more.
Death:- Mahatma Gandhi said about Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar- "The poor Bengali Brahmin I respect is Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar." This Mahamati Vidyasagar passed away on July 29, 1891. He was 71 years old then. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
