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{{Short description|Group of Bengali free thinkers emerging from Hindu College, Calcutta}}
{{distinguish|Young Bangla}}
{{distinguish|Young Bangla}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Young Bengal}}
{{Young Bengal}}
The '''Young Bengal''' was a group of radical Bengali [[freethought|free thinkers]] emerging from [[Presidency College, Kolkata|Hindu College]], [[Kolkata|Calcutta]]. They were also known as Derozians, after their firebrand teacher at Hindu College, [[Henry Louis Vivian Derozio]].<ref>{{cite web|last=SHARMA|first=MAYANK|title=Essay on 'Derozio and the Young Bengal Movement'|url=http://www.preservearticles.com/2012010119327/essay-on-derozio-and-the-young-bengal-movement.html}}</ref>
The '''Young Bengal''' was a group of Bengali [[freethought|free thinkers]] emerging from [[Presidency College, Kolkata|Hindu College]], [[Kolkata|Calcutta]]. They were also known as '''Derozians''', after their firebrand teacher at Hindu College, [[Henry Louis Vivian Derozio]].<ref>{{cite web|last=SHARMA|first=MAYANK|title=Essay on 'Derozio and the Young Bengal Movement'|url=http://www.preservearticles.com/2012010119327/essay-on-derozio-and-the-young-bengal-movement.html}}</ref><ref>Bose, N.S. (1960) ''The Indian Awakening and Bengal,'' Calcutta, Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay.</ref>


⚫
The Young Bengal Movement peripherally included Christians such as Reverend [[Alexander Duff (missionary)|Alexander Duff]] (1809–1878), who founded the [[Scottish Church College|General Assembly's Institution]], and his students like [[Lal Behari Dey]] (1824–1892), who went on to renounce Hinduism. Latter-day inheritors of the legacy of the Young Bengal Movement include scholars like [[Brajendra Nath Seal]] (1864–1938), who went on to be one of the leading theologians and thinkers of the Brahmo Samaj.
The Young Bengals were inspired and excited by the spirit of free thought and revolt against the existing social and religious structure of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] society. A number of Derozians were attracted to the Brahmo Samaj movement much later in life when they had lost their youthful fire and excitement. As one scholar characterized it:
⚫
The Derozians however failed to have a long-term impact. Derozio was removed from the Hindu college in 1831 because of radicalism. The main reason for their limited success was social conditions prevailing at that time which were not ripe for adoption of radical ideas. Further, they did not link masses through peasant causes.
:"The Young Bengal movement was like a mighty storm that tried to sweep away everything before it. It was a storm that lashed society with violence causing some good, and perhaps naturally, some discomfort and distress." <ref>Bose, N.S. (1960) ''The Indian Awakening and Bengal,'' Calcutta, Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay.</ref>


⚫
Young Bengal followed classical economics and was composed of free traders who took inspiration from [[Jeremy Bentham]], [[Adam Smith]], and [[David Ricardo]]:
⚫
The Young Bengal Movement peripherally included Christians such as Reverend [[Alexander Duff (missionary)|Alexander Duff]] (1806–1878), who founded the [[Scottish Church College|General Assembly's Institution]], and his students like [[Lal Behari Dey]] (1824–1892), who went on to renounce Hinduism. Latter-day inheritors of the legacy of the Young Bengal Movement include scholars like [[Brajendra Nath Seal]] (1864–1938), who went on to be one of the leading theologians and thinkers of the Brahmo Samaj.
⚫
The Derozians however failed to have a long term impact. Derozio was removed from the Hindu college in 1829 because of radicalism. The main reason for their limited success was social conditions prevailing at that time which were not ripe for adoption of radical ideas.
Further they lacked to link masses like peasant cause.


⚫
:"With respect to the questions relating to Political Economy, they all belong to the school of Adam Smith. They are clearly of opinion that the system of monopoly, the restraints upon trade, and the international laws of many countries, do nothing but paralyse the efforts of industry, impede the progress of agriculture and manufacture, and prevent commerce from flowing in its natural course."<ref>Sartori, Andrew. (2008) ''Bengal in Global Concept History,'' Chicago, University of Chicago Press. pp. 92–93</ref>
⚫
Young Bengal followed classical economics, and was composed of free traders who took inspiration from [[Jeremy Bentham]], [[Adam Smith]], and [[David Ricardo]]:

⚫
:"With respect to the questions relating to Political Economy, they all belong to the school of Adam Smith. They are clearly of opinion that the system of monopoly, the restraints upon trade, and the international laws of many countries, do nothing by paralyse the efforts of industry, impede the progress of agriculture and manufacture, and prevent commerce from flowing in its natural course." <ref>Sartori, Andrew. (2008) ''Bengal in Global Concept History,'' Chicago, University of Chicago Press. p92-93</ref>


==Organisations==
==Organisations==

Derozio and the Young Bengal group set two establishments and published journals which played a role in the [[Bengal Renaissance]] . These are noted below:
Derozio and the Young Bengal group set two establishments and published journals that played a role in the [[Bengal Renaissance]]. These are noted below:


===Academic Association===
===Academic Association===
⚫
Derozio joined Hindu College in 1826 and within a short period attracted students. The Academic Association was established in 1828 under the guidance of Derozio and settled down in Maniktala. Derozio was its president. One of his students, Uma Charan Basu, was its secretary. The principal speakers in the association were: [[Rasik Krishna Mallick]], [[Krishna Mohan Banerjee]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Reverend Krishnamohan Bandyopadhyaya|last=Das|first=Mayukh|publisher=Paschimbanga Anchalik Itihas O Loksanskriti Charcha Kendra|year=2014|isbn=978-81-926316-0-8|location=Kolkata}}</ref> [[Ramgopal Ghosh]], [[Radhanath Sikdar]], Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee, and [[Hara Chandra Ghosh]]. Amongst its organisers were [[Ramtanu Lahiri]], Sib Chandra Deb and [[Peary Chand Mitra]].<ref>Sastri, Sivanath, ''Ramtanu Lahiri O Tatkalin Banga Samaj'', {{in lang|bn}}1903/2001, p. 69, New Age Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>
Derozio joined Hindu College in 1828 and within a short period attracted students. The Academic Association, established in 1828 under the guidance of Derozio, arranged discussions on subjects such as:
: Free will, free ordination, fate, faith, the sacredness of truth, the high duty of cultivating virtue, and the meanness of vice, the nobility of patriotism, the attributes of God, and the arguments for and against the existence of the deity as these have been set forth in [[David Hume|Hume]] on one side, and [[Thomas Reid|Reid]], [[Dugald Stewart]] and Brosn on the other, the hollowness of idolatry and the shames of priesthood.<ref name="Sengupta, Nitish, p282">Sengupta, Nitish, p282.</ref>

⚫
After moving around for a place for its meetings, it settled down in Maniktala. Derozio was its president. One of his students, Uma Charan Basu, was its secretary. The principal speakers in the association were: [[Rasik Krishna Mallick]], [[Krishna Mohan Banerjee]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Reverend Krishnamohan Bandyopadhyaya|last=Das|first=Mayukh|publisher=Paschimbanga Anchalik Itihas O Loksanskriti Charcha Kendra|year=2014|isbn=978-81-926316-0-8|location=Kolkata|pages=|via=}}</ref> [[Ramgopal Ghosh]], [[Radhanath Sikdar]], [[Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee]], and [[Hara Chandra Ghosh]]. Amongst its organisers were [[Ramtanu Lahiri]], [[Sib Chandra Deb]] and [[Peary Chand Mitra]].<ref>Sastri, Sivanath, ''Ramtanu Lahiri O Tatkalin Banga Samaj'', {{Bn icon}}1903/2001, p69, New Age Publishers Pvt. Ltd.</ref>

The sessions of the Academic Association attracted attention to such an extent that amongst those who used to be present fairly regularly were. [[David Hare (philanthropist)|David Hare]], Col. Benson, private secretary of Lord William Bentick, Col. Beatson, later adjutant general, and Dr. Mills, principal of Bishop’s College. They applauded the youngsters for their brilliant oratory.<ref name="Sastri, Sivanath, p69">Sastri, Sivanath, p69</ref>

Haramohan Chatterjee has written as follows about the debates in the association"
: "The principles and practices of Hindu religion were openly ridiculed and condemned, and angry disputes were held on moral subjets; the sentiments of [[David Hume|Hume]] had been widely diffused and warmly patronised." <ref name="Sastri, Sivanath, p69"/> The accusation of being irreligious is not entirely correct. The Derozian aim was in truth "to summon Hindusim to the bar of reason." <ref>Sengupta, Nitish, p232.</ref> When Derozio was dismissed he wrote back, "That I should be called a sceptic and infidel is not surprising, as these names are always given to persons who think for themselves in religion…" <ref name="Sengupta, Nitish, p282"/> Derozio died in 1831, but the Academic Association was kept alive till about 1839. David Hare accepted the presidentship after Derozio.<ref>Sengupta, Nitish, p230.</ref>


===Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge===
===Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge===


'''The Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge''' was established on 20 February 1838. It had 200 members in 1843.<ref>Sengupta, Nitish, pp 230, 282.</ref> Trachand Chakrabarti was its president, [[Ramgopal Ghosh]] its vice president and [[Peary Chand Mitra]] its president. The society elected David Hare as honorary visitor. Some of the prominent papers it published were: ''Nature of Historical Studies and Civil and Social Reform'' by Krishna Mohan Banerjee, ''Interests of the Female Sex and the State of Hindustan'' by Peary Chand Mitra, ''Sketch of Bankuja'' by Hara Chandra Ghosh, ''Notice of Tipperah'', ''A New Spelling Book'', ''Notices of Chittagong'' by Gobinda Chandra Basak.<ref>Sengupta, Nitish, pp. 230-231.</ref>
'''The Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge''' was established on 20 February 1838. It had 200 members in 1843.<ref>Sengupta, Nitish, pp. 230, 282.</ref> Currently, this is one of the student societies at Presidency University, Kolkata, that promotes quizzing and related activities among students.

These associations of the Young Bengal group were forerunners of later organisations such as the [[British Indian Association#Landholders.E2.80.99 Society|Landholders’ Society]], British India Society, and [[British Indian Association]] with all of which the Young Bengal group had links.<ref>Sengupta, Nitish, p231.</ref>


==Prominent members==
==Prominent members==
⚫
*[[Krishna Mohan Banerjee]]<ref name=":0" /> (1813–1885) [[Christianity|Christian]] convert
Prominent Derozians and Young Bengal group members who left a distinct mark in Calcutta society of the 1830s and 1840s were:<ref>Sengupta, Nitish K. (2001) ''History of the Bengali-speaking people,'' pp227-228, New Delhi : UBS Publishers' Distributors. {{ISBN|978-81-7476-355-6}}</ref>
⚫
*[[Krishna Mohan Banerjee]]<ref name=":0" /> (1813–1885), whose conversion to [[Christianity]] raised a great storm
*Tarachand Chakraborti (1805–1855), prominent in the Brahmo Sabha and Young Bengal
*Tarachand Chakraborti (1805–1855), prominent in the Brahmo Sabha and Young Bengal
*[[Sib Chandra Deb]] (1811–1890), a prominent [[Brahmo Samaj]] leader of Konnagar
*Sib Chandra Deb (1811–1890), a prominent [[Brahmo Samaj]] leader of Konnagar
*[[Hara Chandra Ghosh]] (1808–1868), judge of the Small Causes Court.
*[[Hara Chandra Ghosh]] (1808–1868), judge of the Small Causes Court
*[[Ramgopal Ghosh]] (1815–1868), a successful businessman and public speaker whose attacks on the Black Acts and criticism of the European protests against a well-intentioned government move to bring Europeans on a par with the natives in judicial treatment were landmarks
*[[Ramgopal Ghosh]] (1815–1868), businessman and public speaker
*[[Ramtanu Lahiri]] (1813–1898), publicly removed his [[Upanayanam|sacred thread]] in 1851 and as a teacher became a centre of progressive thoughts
*[[Ramtanu Lahiri]] (1813–1898), teacher who publicly removed his [[Upanayanam|sacred thread]] in 1851
*[[Rasik Krishna Mallick]] (1810–1858), refused to swear by the holy Ganges water and ran away from his orthodox home
*[[Rasik Krishna Mallick]] (1810–1858), refused to swear by the holy Ganges water and ran away from his orthodox home
*[[Peary Chand Mitra]] (1814–1883), founded the ''Monthly Magazine'' in Bengali that set a non-journalistic style of writing intelligibly to all, including average women, and also took part in establishing the Calcutta Public Library in 1831 which became an intellectual forum
*[[Peary Chand Mitra]] (1814–1883), founded the ''Monthly Magazine'' in Bengali and helped establish the Calcutta Public Library in 1831
*[[Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee]] (1818–1887), donated the site for the [[Bethune College]] for women
*Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee (1818–1887), donated the site for the [[Bethune College]] for women
*[[Radhanath Sikdar]] (1813–1870), caused a sensation by refusing to marry a child bride and thereafter rose to be a surveyor, mathematician, diarist, writer, public speaker and the calculator of the height of the [[Himalayas]]. He was the first one to accurately measure the height of Mt. Everest but the peak was named after George Everest and not Radhanath Sikdar.
*[[Radhanath Sikdar]] (1813–1870), surveyor, mathematician, diarist, writer, public speaker and the calculator of the height of the [[Himalayas]].<ref>Sengupta, Nitish K. (2001) ''History of the Bengali-speaking people,'' pp227-228, New Delhi: UBS Publishers' Distributors. {{ISBN|978-81-7476-355-6}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 54: Line 41:
==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Chattopadhyay, G. 1965. ''Awakening in Bengal in Early Nineteenth Century'', Progressive Publishers, Calcutta.
* Chattopadhyay, G. 1965. ''Awakening in Bengal in Early Nineteenth Century'', Progressive Publishers, Calcutta.
* Chaudhuri, R. 2000. ''Young India: A Bengal Eclogue: Or Meat-eating, Race, and Reform in a Colonial Poem,'' Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, Routledge, Volume 2, Number 3, 424-441.
* Chaudhuri, R. 2000. ''Young India: A Bengal Eclogue: Or Meat-eating, Race, and Reform in a Colonial Poem,'' Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, Routledge, Volume 2, Number 3, 424–441.


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Young_Bengal Young Bengal] in Banglapedia
*[http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Young_Bengal Young Bengal] in Banglapedia
*[https://www.iassite.com/young-bengal-movement-upsc/ Young Bengal Movement] in IASSITE


{{Bengal Renaissance}}
{{Bengal Renaissance}}


⚫
[[Category:Young Bengal| ]]
[[Category:Bengal Renaissance]]
[[Category:Bengal Renaissance]]
[[Category:History of Bengal]]jb
[[Category:Indian independence movement]]
[[Category:Indian independence movement]]
⚫
[[Category:Young Bengal| ]]

Latest revision as of 10:12, 26 November 2024

Not to be confused with Young Bangla.

Young Bengal
Founder

Henry Louis Vivian Derozio

Derozians
Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee • Hara Chandra Ghosh • Krishna Mohan Banerjee • Peary Chand Mitra • Radhanath Sikdar • Ramgopal Ghosh • Ramtanu Lahiri • Rasik Krishna Mallick • Sib Chandra Deb

The Young Bengal was a group of Bengali free thinkers emerging from Hindu College, Calcutta. They were also known as Derozians, after their firebrand teacher at Hindu College, Henry Louis Vivian Derozio.[1][2]

The Young Bengal Movement peripherally included Christians such as Reverend Alexander Duff (1809–1878), who founded the General Assembly's Institution, and his students like Lal Behari Dey (1824–1892), who went on to renounce Hinduism. Latter-day inheritors of the legacy of the Young Bengal Movement include scholars like Brajendra Nath Seal (1864–1938), who went on to be one of the leading theologians and thinkers of the Brahmo Samaj. The Derozians however failed to have a long-term impact. Derozio was removed from the Hindu college in 1831 because of radicalism. The main reason for their limited success was social conditions prevailing at that time which were not ripe for adoption of radical ideas. Further, they did not link masses through peasant causes.

Young Bengal followed classical economics and was composed of free traders who took inspiration from Jeremy Bentham, Adam Smith, and David Ricardo:

"With respect to the questions relating to Political Economy, they all belong to the school of Adam Smith. They are clearly of opinion that the system of monopoly, the restraints upon trade, and the international laws of many countries, do nothing but paralyse the efforts of industry, impede the progress of agriculture and manufacture, and prevent commerce from flowing in its natural course."[3]

Organisations

[edit]

Derozio and the Young Bengal group set two establishments and published journals that played a role in the Bengal Renaissance. These are noted below:

Academic Association

[edit]

Derozio joined Hindu College in 1826 and within a short period attracted students. The Academic Association was established in 1828 under the guidance of Derozio and settled down in Maniktala. Derozio was its president. One of his students, Uma Charan Basu, was its secretary. The principal speakers in the association were: Rasik Krishna Mallick, Krishna Mohan Banerjee,[4] Ramgopal Ghosh, Radhanath Sikdar, Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee, and Hara Chandra Ghosh. Amongst its organisers were Ramtanu Lahiri, Sib Chandra Deb and Peary Chand Mitra.[5]

Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge

[edit]

The Society for the Acquisition of General Knowledge was established on 20 February 1838. It had 200 members in 1843.[6] Currently, this is one of the student societies at Presidency University, Kolkata, that promotes quizzing and related activities among students.

Prominent members

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ SHARMA, MAYANK. "Essay on 'Derozio and the Young Bengal Movement'".
  2. ^ Bose, N.S. (1960) The Indian Awakening and Bengal, Calcutta, Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay.
  3. ^ Sartori, Andrew. (2008) Bengal in Global Concept History, Chicago, University of Chicago Press. pp. 92–93
  4. ^ a b Das, Mayukh (2014). Reverend Krishnamohan Bandyopadhyaya. Kolkata: Paschimbanga Anchalik Itihas O Loksanskriti Charcha Kendra. ISBN 978-81-926316-0-8.
  5. ^ Sastri, Sivanath, Ramtanu Lahiri O Tatkalin Banga Samaj, (in Bengali)1903/2001, p. 69, New Age Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
  6. ^ Sengupta, Nitish, pp. 230, 282.
  7. ^ Sengupta, Nitish K. (2001) History of the Bengali-speaking people, pp227-228, New Delhi: UBS Publishers' Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7476-355-6

Further reading

[edit]
  • Chattopadhyay, G. 1965. Awakening in Bengal in Early Nineteenth Century, Progressive Publishers, Calcutta.
  • Chaudhuri, R. 2000. Young India: A Bengal Eclogue: Or Meat-eating, Race, and Reform in a Colonial Poem, Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, Routledge, Volume 2, Number 3, 424–441.
[edit]
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