Author Description

Product DescriptionRam Mohan Ray is called the "Father of Modern India" in recognition of his epoch-making social, educational, and political reforms. Bruce Robertson argues that Ray's intellectual and spiritual roots have been misunderstood even by those who have been most lavish in their praise. Made a herofor standing up to the British government in politics, his memory has been tainted by an ill-informed consensus, namely that he gave in to Europeans on matters of religion. Nothing could have been further from the truth, Robertson argues. While Ray's political legacy may be said to have endured, his enormous contribution to modern Indian religious sectarian dialogue, where his greatest originality may be found, is sadly forgotten. Robertson argues that Ray set theagenda for modern India in his vision of a self-determining, modern, pluralistic society founded upon the Upanishadic principles of freedom ofsadhana and one rule of law for all.Review"...Truly well-researched and provocative...Philosophically and theologically, the most intensive and thouroughgoing study ever undertaken."--American Historical Review"...This is not another generalized biography of a well-known figure in modern India's approved pantheon, but a very fine piece of thorough scholarship...a sharply focused analysis of Rammohan Ray's translations from and writings on the ancient Hindu texts... The author's thorough familiarity withboth Bengali and Sanskrit infuses his discussion with an impressive precision in identifying the stylistic nuances in those writings and their probable intended audience. His sensitivity to complexities of relationships within Bengali society in the early nineteenth century enhances his scholarlycontribution to our understanding of Calcutta during that important period."--The HistorianAbout the AuthorBruce Carlisle Robertson is at Johns Hopkins University of Continuing Studies.