Why in news?
On 26 September 2025 India celebrated the 205th birth anniversary of the social reformer and educationist Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Events across the country honoured his pioneering contributions to women’s rights and education.
Life and background
- Early life: Born on 26 September 1820 in Birsingha village, Bengal, he overcame poverty to excel at Sanskrit College in Calcutta. His scholarship earned him the title “Vidyasagar,” meaning “Ocean of Learning.”
- Scholar and educator: He taught at Fort William College and later became principal of Sanskrit College, where he reformed the curriculum by adding English and science and opening the institution to non‑Brahmin students.
- Writer: Vidyasagar authored textbooks like Borno Parichay to simplify Bengali grammar and promote literacy. His lucid prose earned him the epithet “Father of Modern Bengali Prose.”
Social reforms
- Widow remarriage: He championed the rights of widows and was instrumental in the passage of the Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act of 1856.
- Women’s education: Vidyasagar supported the establishment of schools for girls, including the Bethune School, and believed that educating women was essential for social progress.
- Opposition to child marriage: He advocated raising the age of consent and inspired reforms that culminated in the Age of Consent Act of 1891.
- Work among Santhals: In later life he moved to Karmatar (present‑day Jharkhand), where he set up a school and free kitchen for the Santhal tribe and lived a simple life dedicated to service.
Legacy
Vidyasagar’s compassion and rationality earned him the epithet “Daya‑Sagar” (Ocean of Kindness). His advocacy for widow remarriage, women’s education and egalitarian reforms laid the groundwork for progressive movements in Bengal. More than two centuries after his birth, his values of equity, education and rational thought continue to guide India’s quest for social justice.