Founder of Dharam Sabha ?
VerifiedAnswer: Radhakant Dev
Explanation:
Radhakant Dev founded the Dharam Sabha in 1830 as a conservative Hindu organization that opposed social reforms being promoted during the British colonial period. This religious and social organization emerged as a direct response to the growing influence of reform movements like the Brahmo Samaj.
Radhakant Dev was a prominent Bengali scholar, judge, and traditionalist who believed in preserving orthodox Hindu customs and practices. He served as a judge in the Supreme Court of Calcutta and was well-versed in Hindu scriptures and law. His deep knowledge of traditional Hindu texts made him a respected voice among conservative Hindus of his time.
The Dharam Sabha was established primarily to oppose the abolition of sati and other social reform measures introduced by British administrators and supported by reform organizations like Raja Ram Mohan Roy's Brahmo Samaj. The organization argued that these reforms interfered with Hindu religious practices and traditions that had been followed for centuries.
The main objectives of Dharam Sabha included defending traditional Hindu practices, opposing Western influence on Hindu society, and maintaining the authority of ancient Hindu scriptures in matters of social conduct. The organization attracted support from orthodox Hindus who felt that rapid social changes threatened their religious identity and cultural heritage.
Key activities of the Dharam Sabha under Radhakant Dev's leadership included petitioning the British government against the Sati Regulation Act of 1829, organizing public meetings to rally support for traditional practices, and publishing literature that defended orthodox Hindu customs. The organization also worked to counter the influence of Christian missionaries and Western-educated Hindu reformers.
Though the Dharam Sabha represented conservative viewpoints that modern society might find outdated, it played a significant role in 19th-century Bengal's social and religious discourse. The organization highlighted the tension between tradition and reform that characterized Indian society during the colonial period, making Radhakant Dev an important figure in understanding the complex dynamics of social change in British India.
