Debendranath Tagore: Brahmo Samaj, Social Activities, Books

The Brahmo movement was one of the most important religious reform movements in Eastern India. Although Raja Ram Mohan Roy initiated this movement, Debendranath Tagore’s (15 May 1817–19 January 1905) role in the Brahmo movement was undeniable. From the beginning, this movement was supported by a few educated, wealthy individuals in the city. Brahmo Samaj emerged in the colonial environment of Calcutta city.

Debendranath Tagore only followed Hindu religious ideals and did not accept the positive aspects of other social ideals and religions. The conservative Debendranath Tagore wanted to keep the Brahmo ideals confined only within the teachings of the Upanishads. Therefore, this movement remained limited to the educated upper class, and the Brahmo Samaj’s ideals could not spread significantly among the general poor working people.

Debendranath Tagore Early Life and Education Life

Debendranath Tagore was born in 1817 in Shilaidaha. Dwarkanath Tagore was his father, and his wife was Sarada Devi and they had fourteen children. Debendranath studied at home under private tutors from 1820 to 1827.

In 1829, he enrolled in the Anglo-Hindu College established by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and received higher education. After studying there for some time, he took responsibility for managing his father’s property and business while simultaneously pursuing knowledge about philosophy and religion. After his grandfather died in 1838, he became interested in religion and began studying various subjects, including the Mahabharata, Upanishads, and Eastern-Western philosophy. This led to the development of his spiritual aspirations.

You can also read about Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu: Life, Social Reforms, Books.

Debendranath Tagore’s Join in Brahmo Samaj and Other Social Activities

Through his joining of Brahmo Samaj, Debendranath Tagore played an important role in establishing women’s education, social justice, and various social reform activities.

• After Raja Ram Mohan Roy died in 1833, Dwarkanath Tagore’s eldest son, Debendranath Tagore, strengthened the Brahmo Samaj movement through his leadership. He joined the Brahmo samaj in 1842. He was the father of Rabindranath Tagore. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, by forming Brahmo Samaj, wanted to spread the principle of monotheism among people of all religions and bind people of every community in one thread. He did not want to form his religious views into any particular sect. However, his religious thinking and policy adoption in expanding the Brahmo movement were exactly opposite to Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s.
• Debendranath Tagore declared the Vedas a true revelation. He rejected Shankaracharya’s monotheistic interpretation of Vedanta philosophy and considered fundamental Hinduism as the true theology. Under his leadership, the influence of Brahmo Samaj spread beyond the boundaries of Calcutta city into the urban areas of East Bengal. He believed that Brahmo Samaj had a special connection with Hinduism. He further stated that opposing idolatry and rejecting superstitious rituals was merely a process of purifying traditional beliefs.
• Debendranath Tagore first shaped the Brahmo movement as a specific religious doctrine and Brahmo Samaj as a distinct community. He believed in the divine origin of the Vedas. Maharshi Debendranath Tagore had deep faith in the Upanishads. Inspired by Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s ideology, Debendranath Tagore established the “Tattwara Jani Sabha” in 1839, which was later renamed the “Tattwabodhini Sabha.” During this time, he published the Bengali translation of ‘Katha Upanishad’ in 1840.
• He took charge of Tattwabodhini Sabha and Brahmo Samaj in 1842. Then, in 1843, he received initiation into the Brahmo religion from Ram Chandra Vidyabagish. Debendranath Tagore introduced various rituals and rules in Brahmo Samaj and established the initiation system. Regular membership fees were fixed for Brahmo Samaj members. He appointed Brahmo preachers to spread Brahmo ideology, which resulted in Brahmo Samaj becoming a distinct religious community.
• On August 16, 1843, Tattwabodhini Patrika was first published under the editorship of Akshay Kumar Datta, with overall supervision from Debendranath Tagore. This periodical’s main objectives were to propagate Brahmo Samaj’s ideals and philosophy and strongly protest against Christian missionaries’ practice of forcibly converting common people to Christianity. In 1854, he established “Samaj Unnati-bidhaayini Suhrid Samiti” with Akshay Kumar Datta as his assistant. He also had intense debates with Scottish missionary Alexander Duff. Through all these efforts, he brought new life to the Brahmo movement.
• After a long study of the scriptures, he realized that the Upanishads alone could not lay the foundation of Brahmanism. Therefore, he began publishing a translation of the Rig Veda in the Tattwabodhini magazine in 1848, This appeared in the Brahmo Dharma library in 1869.
• In 1853, he was appointed as the editor of Tattwabodhini Sabha and established ‘Brahma Vidyalaya’ in 1859 for the propagation of religious education.
• Debendranath discontinued traditional religious festivals and introduced festivals like ‘Magh Utsav,’ ‘New Year,’ and ‘Initiation Day.’ In 1867, he purchased a large plot of land called Bhubandaga in Birbhum and established an ashram. This ashram is today’s famous Shantiniketan. He was also a founding member of the Bethune Society of the Hindu Charitable Institution.
• He opposed child marriage and polygamy while advocating widow remarriage. Debendranath Tagore was the first secretary of the ‘British Indian Association’ established on October 29, 1851, and fought for India’s self-governance. His efforts led to the movement against the collection of chowkidari tax.
• Due to conflicts with Keshab Chandra Sen over conservative attitudes, religious orthodoxy, and social ideals, Brahmo Samaj split into two parts in 1866. After leaving Brahmo Samaj, Debendranath Tagore, and his followers established ‘Adi Brahmo Samaj’. Due to his conservatism, ‘Adi Brahmo Samaj’ quickly lost its influence.

You can also read about Surendranath Banerjee: Life, Contributions, Ideas, Thoughts.

Debendranath Tagore Books

Debendranath Tagore wrote several books from 1851-1895. Some of his notable works include:

• Debendranath Tagore wrote “Brahma Dharmo Grantho” in 1851. In 1852, he wrote a book called “Atmattvavidya.” This book discusses the nature and existence of the soul. In 1860, he wrote “Brahma Dharmer Mot O Biswas.” This book analyzes various religious opinions and beliefs.
• In 1862, he wrote “Kalikata Brahma Samajer Baktrita.” This book includes religious discussions by various educated upper-class individuals of Brahmo Samaj. In 1893, the book “Gyan O Dharmer Unnati” mentions how people can develop their knowledge and advance in religion through reading the Vedas, Upanishads, and scriptures. The 1895 book “Porolo O Mukti” presents the concept of salvation and related philosophical thoughts.

You can also read about Chittaranjan Das: Life, Role as Lawyer, Political Activities.

Debendranath Tagore FAQ’s