Raja Ram Mohan Roy and his contribution to Journalism in India

 

EMINENT JOURNALISTS OF INDIA, SERIES 1: RAJA RAM MOHAN ROY

 

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833), widely regarded as the Father of the Indian Renaissance, was a pioneering reformer whose intellectual vision and journalistic activism reshaped Indian society and laid the groundwork for modern political consciousness. His journalism was not merely a vehicle for information but a powerful instrument of social reform and resistance against colonial authority. 

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s journalistic contribution 

Roy’s engagement with the press began in the early nineteenth century, when Indian-owned newspapers were still rare. The Bengal Gazette (1818), published by Gangadhar Bhattacharjee, was the first Indian paper, though short-lived. Bhattacharjee later collaborated with Roy in his ventures, marking the beginning of a new era in Indian journalism. Roy himself launched several influential publications, including the Brahmanical Magazine (English), Sambad Kaumudi (Bengali), and Mirat-ul-Akhbar (Persian).

The Sambad Kaumudi, established around 1819–1820, was particularly significant for its strong opposition to the practice of Sati, the ritual burning of widows. Roy’s articles condemned the practice as barbaric and inhumane, sparking fierce debates. The editor, Bhowani Charan Banerjee, resigned due to Roy’s anti-Sati stance and founded Samachar Chandrika, which defended Sati. Despite opposition, Sambad Kaumudi continued for over three decades, becoming a powerful voice for reform and ultimately contributing to the abolition of Sati in 1829.

Roy’s Persian newspaper, Mirat-ul-Akhbar, was equally bold in its critique of both social evils and colonial administration. His sharp editorials criticized British policies in India and Ireland, provoking hostility from colonial authorities such as William Butterworth Bayley. When the government suppressed the paper, Roy chose to cease publication rather than compromise, demonstrating his commitment to journalistic integrity and freedom of expression.

In addition to his own ventures, Roy supported British journalist James Silk Buckingham, editor of the Calcutta Journal. Buckingham’s fearless critiques of colonial exploitation resonated with Roy’s reformist ideals, and their collaboration highlighted the role of journalism in challenging imperial authority. Though Buckingham was expelled from India in 1823, his partnership with Roy underscored the transnational dimension of early Indian journalism. 

Roy’s multilingual approach to journalism was evident in his publication of Bangadoot in 1829, which appeared in English, Bengali, French, and Nagree (Hindi dialect). This paper addressed social issues and reached diverse audiences, reflecting his vision of inclusive communication. His writings consistently challenged orthodox religious practices, opposed missionary attempts to impose Christianity, and promoted rational, humanistic values.

Through his newspapers, Raja Ram Mohan Roy not only fought against entrenched social evils like Sati but also laid the foundation for freedom of the press in India. His journalism combined social critique with political commentary, establishing the press as a vital tool in India’s struggle for justice and self-determination. His legacy continues to inspire modern journalism as a force for reform and resistance.

 

Literary Contributions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy

 

Translations of Sacred Texts

• Translation of an Abridgment of the Vedant (1816) – A summary of Vedantic philosophy emphasizing monotheism.
• Translation of the Ishopanishad (1816) – Advocated the unity of the Supreme Being.
• Translation of the Moonduk and Kuth Upanishads (1819) – Reinforced his belief in rational spirituality.
•  Translation of the Cena Upanishad (1823) – Highlighted the omnipotence of the Supreme Being.

 

Religious and Philosophical Essays

• Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhiddin (1803–04) – Written in Persian, it argued for monotheism and rational religion.
• A Defence of Hindu Theism (1817) – Countered idolatry and promoted monotheistic worship.
• A Second Defence of the Vedas (1817) – Reinforced his monotheistic interpretation of Hindu scriptures.
• Precepts of Jesus (1820) – Extracted moral teachings from the New Testament, emphasizing ethical living over ritual.
• An Appeal to the Christian Public (1820) – Defended his interpretation of Christian texts against missionary criticism.

 

Social Reform Writings

• A Conference between an Advocate and an Opponent of the Practice of Burning Widows Alive (1818) – A powerful tract against Sati.
• Brief Remarks Regarding Modern Encroachments on the Ancient Rights of Females (1822) – Advocated women’s inheritance rights.
• Essay on the Rights of Hindoos over Ancestral Property (1830) – Critiqued discriminatory laws against women.

 

Political and Administrative Writings

•  Exposition of the Practical Operation of the Judicial and Revenue Systems of India (1830) – Submitted as evidence in England, critiquing colonial administration.
• Two Petitions Against Press Regulations (1823) – Defended freedom of the press in India.
• Remarks on Settlement in India by Europeans (1832) – Opposed exploitative colonial settlement policies.

 

Multilingual Journalism

• Brahmanical Magazine (English) – Defended Hinduism against missionary attacks.
• Sambad Kaumudi (Bengali) – Advocated abolition of Sati and social reforms.
• Mirat-ul-Akhbar (Persian) – Criticized colonial policies and social evils.
• Bangadoot (1829) – Published in English, Bengali, French, and Nagree, addressing social issues.

 

REFERENCES

1.  Britannica. (n.d.). Ram Mohan Roy. In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ram-Mohan-Roy
2. Vijay Foundations. (n.d.). Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://vijayfoundations.com/raja-ram-mohan-roy/
3. The Knowledge Library. (n.d.). Raja Ram Mohan Roy: The visionary who shaped modern India. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://www.theknowledgelibrary.in/raja-ram-mohan-roy-the-visionary-who-shaped-modern-india/
4. NextIAS. (n.d.). Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://www.nextias.com/blog/raja-ram-mohan-roy/
5. Vajiram & Ravi. (n.d.). Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://vajiramandravi.com/upsc-exam/raja-ram-mohan-roy/
6. Robertson, B. C. (Ed.). (1999). The Essential Writings of Raja Rammohan Roy. Oxford University Press.
7. Ghose, J. C. (Ed.). (2023). The English Works of Raja Rammohun Roy. Creative Media Partners.
8. Wikisource. (n.d.). Works of Rammohun Roy. Retrieved September 15, 2026, from https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Author:Rammohun_Roy (en.wikisource.org in Bing)
9. Akshara. (n.d.). Appendix XII: Publications and Bibliography. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
10. Mathias, M. P. (2025). The contribution of the press in the freedom struggle of India. Niscort Journal of Media, Communications and Research (NJMCR), 1(1). Available at http://www.ijrar.org/IJRAR22A1365.pdf