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Abstract

Often regarded as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance," Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833) is not particularly well-known for his feminist ideas and reformist fervor in promoting women's rights in India during the 19th century. Roy was a pioneering advocate for gender justice during a time when women were routinely suppressed through practices like sati (widow burning), child marriage, the murder of female infants, and deprivation of education. The feminist consciousness of Roy, his motivations, and the tangible impact of his work on Indian society are all examined in this article. Roy's feminism was founded on his active engagement with rationalism, Vedantic philosophy, and Enlightenment ideals in addition to his humanitarian sympathies. Through persistent agitations, public debate, and negotiations with the British government, his campaigns led to the abolition of sati in 1829. Roy's campaign encompassed not only his battle against sati but also the intellectual and social liberation of women. He emphasized that women would be trapped in cycles of ignorance, powerlessness, and subordination if they were not educated. His works in Persian, Bengali, and English typically emphasized women's inherent potential and disapproved of colonial narratives that depicted Indian society as wholly backward. Roy's determination to advance progressive ideas and create a logical, egalitarian social order is demonstrated by his founding of organizations like the Hindu College (1817) and the Brahmo Sabha (1828). From these platforms, he pushed for moral reforms that complied with universal human rights, questioned religious dogma, and encouraged dialogue about women's status.