Renaissance is that period in European history, post the 14th and throughout the 17th centuries, when marked developments had taken place in art and cultural society. European renaissance was such a colossal affair that it had successfully touched upon every corner of the world, including India. However, renaissance in India was due to arrive much later, precisely after the British advent, a significant clashing of moments in Indian history. Indian renaissance is that period in Indian history when a mass religious and social awakening came about, joined enthusiastically by loads of gentlemen and gentlewomen alike, infused as they were with western culture and educational modes. The foremost `reformists` had undertaken the task with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. Renaissance stands for rebirth and in Indian history; it refers to that period which was marked by the quest of knowledge and flowering of science and arts. The incredible effects of Indian renaissance were reflected in the quality of life and the new frontiers scaled by dance, music and other performing arts.
Emergence of Indian renaissance
Renaissance in India did not just happen in a short time, but was lurking in its ancient historical past. The period when the Hindu religious system was revived can be termed as Hindu renaissance, which was marked with the restoration of the Hindu deities and tradition, known as modern Hinduism today. The Guptas, pioneer of the Golden age resuscitated all lost glory by setting up a tradition, which was very Indian, with developments in Sanskrit literature, art forms and religion at its zenith. Continuing with the tradition, which was however lost in between, the late 18th century marked the beginning of a new era with movements essential for a complete reformation. The reformists did never think of discriminating on the basis of jaati (caste or sub caste), gender, or race. Hindu nationalism also rose to a great extent during this period.
Advent of Indian renaissance was hence a colossal affair, which witnessed the spontaneous yet restricted participation of native intellectuals.
Western historians describe the period within the 14th and 16th centuries as the Renaissance. However, there exists sufficient historical proof to show that such periods were witnessed in other civilisations much earlier. Indian literature in different languages, Indian architecture and Indian astronomical discoveries also date back to the first millennium with dates belonging from 0 to 1000 A.D. Even during the period described as Renaissance in Europe, India witnessed a renaissance of its own; the Taj Mahal was built during this period; sacred texts were translated into different languages and there was development of overseas trade. Moreover, the grand trunk road was constructed during this extensive period and many social reformers also had lived during this period.
The most significant and noteworthy renaissance happenings had occurred during the period of colonial rule in India. The British imperialists had ruled and dominated for the most prolonged period, during which both worse and beneficial incidents passed by, till 1947. However, surpassing every beneficial incident, the core spirit and enterprise of the nation was destroyed. Independence had earned the countrymen their vision of swaraj and made them their own masters. Indian renaissance had rediscovered roots of economic and administrational stability.
In this honest context of Indian history, renaissance was a solemn effort by a differentiated and higher class of people, who had made them distinguishable in every sphere of art, culture and education. As a result, these native intellectuals earned themselves a handsome opportunity to interact with the English class, when speaking, writing, or associations are being spoken about. And the territory of Bengal was absolutely leading in this Indian renaissance context, beginning from writers, politicians, historians, freedom fighters and religious saints. Such was their influence upon the then Indian society, that
Bengal renaissance has now come to be coined as a cardinal element under British Indian episodes.
Social Reformers in Indian Renaissance
Social reformers in Indian renaissance had germinated mostly from Bengal, which was inclined towards a tendency to continuously produce luminaries in every field. Beginning from Raja Ram Mohan Roy and perhaps ending in the last days of Indian independence with Nirad C. Chaudhuri, reformist movements had incessantly procured multi-faceted results. In this context, the Muslim League was also not left far behind. In the erstwhile undivided India, with the concept of brotherhood, Muslims made major contributions into Indian renaissance, making the English-native interface much facilitating.
Muslim renaissance thus counts into a unique amalgamation of religious and nationalistic concepts, mingling well with British Indian history.
Ramkrishna Mission and Swami Vivekananda - Swami Vivekananda had established Ramkrishna Mission on May 1 1897, with a motto for assisting in welfare services with a spiritual point of view. He had advocated Vedanta and Yoga not only to India, but also the West. He emphasised upon the divinity of every individual and tireless work for the salvation of others. The Ramakrishna Math and Mission are the integral institutions of faith for the Hindus in present society.
Sri Aurobindo Ghosh - Aurobindo Ghosh was a nationalist, scholar, poet and philosopher who preached a new spiritual path called the integral yoga. He was impressed by western philosophies and sought for absolute spiritual reawakening. His poems are expressive in an `intrinsic` delight, which according to him is perpetual beyond everything. Aurobindo Ghosh had contributed to Hinduism greatly with anew interpretation of Vedas concerned with inner spirituality.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy - Ram Mohan Roy was founder of the Brahmo Samaj and among the pioneers of the Indian socio-religious reform movements. He had exerted supreme influence upon politics, social life, education and religion alike. Raja Ram Mohan had radical views about society, shunning away eras of darkness, yet without adapting to contemporary world. He was also influenced by western thoughts and aided in the revival of Bengal and influencing the nation as a whole.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati - Dayananda Saraswati was the founder of Arya Samaj, in India, established in 1875. An important Hindu religious scholar, he believed in the Vedas and stressed on the ideals of Brahmacharya, which stands for `celibacy and devotion to God`. He contributed vastly to the emancipation of women, doing away with idol worship, animal sacrifices and other vices debasing Hindu religion. Dayananda Saraswati was a great contemporary, voicing the cause of Hinduism with a universal touch.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan - Syed Ahmed Khan was a politician and a pioneer of modern education among the Muslim community in India. The founder of the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College, which later developed into the Aligarh Muslim University, his ideas were shaped by a strong aversion to the emerging nationalist movement. Sir Syed Ahmed had sought to unite the Muslims under a single banner for over all development.
Ramakrishna Paramahansa - Ramakrishna Paramahansa was a religious teacher preaching oneness of existence, love and devotion for God and harmony of religions. His contributions were important for a traditional revival of Hinduism comparable to Chaitanya`s. Ramakrishna was revered by the religious reformers and assisted in bringing supra consciousness.
Allama Iqbal - Allama Iqbal is revered for his contributions for the revival of Islamic civilisation all over the world. He had penned about politics, religion and other topics envisaging the cause of the Muslims, conferring them status and identity at political level and achieving their unity widely.
Reformist groups during Indian Renaissance
The religious reformers and reformists groups played an integral part in the ushering in of Indian renaissance, though they also functioned at regional levels. Their ideas and philosophies were absorbed by the whole nation like a breeze sweeping over trying to bring a transformation, which was just and at par with the contemporary civilisation.
Brahmo Samaj - Brahmo Samaj was the society formed by the ideas of developing a universal religion, whose ideology to a large extent was derived from the Isha Upanishad, a monotheistic Hindu scripture. Ideas behind Raja Ram Mohan Roy`s Brahmo movement included abolition of caste system, abolition of dowry, abolition of sati and improvement of the educational system.
Hindu Dharma Sabha was founded in 1830 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy to limit the intrusion of English culture in India.
Sanatan Singh Sabha is the original Singh Sabha formed in 1873 by Sikhs in Amritsar to recover a distinctive Sikhism.
Tattvabodhini Sabha was an essential reformist organisation, which was founded by Debendranath Tagore to popularise Brahmo dharma or Brahmo faith.
Yogoda Satsanga Society Paramahansa Yogananda founded of India in 1917 on the banks of the Ganges at Dakshineswar.
Ratnagiri Hindu Sabha Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, or Veer Savarkar formed the in 1924, aiming to the preservation of Hindu social and cultural heritage.
Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha was initially a Hindu nationalist organisation of Manipur, formed by Maharaja Churachand Singh.
Keshab Chandra Sen founded the Sangat Sabhas or Believer`s Associations in 1860. These Sabhas comprised small discussion groups that met on a weekly basis, but his energetic disciples soon showed an inclination for action rather than mere discussions.
Hitaishini Ganga Dharma Sabha was founded in Haridwar for the benefit of the cow, social order and the holy River Ganges.
The Radha Soami Satsang Beas, based in Northern India, is a philosophical organisation, following the spiritual teachings of all religions.
Manav Dharma Sabha was one of the earliest socio-religious reform movements in Gujarat and British India, founded on 22nd June 1844.
Prarthana Samaj, or the "Prayer Society" in Sanskrit, is a movement for religious and social reform in Maharashtra that was based on previous reform movements and traditions of the state.
Nowrozjee Furdoonjee and Dadabhai Naoroji founded the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha and put in considerable efforts. The Sabha was meant for the purification of Zoroastrian religion, which was being prejudiced by Hindu elements.
