Consider the following statements about Raja Ram Mohan Roy : I. He possessed great love and respect for the traditional philosophical systems of the East. II. He desired his countrymen to accept the rational and scientific approach and the principle of human dignity and social equality of all men and women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) I only
- (b) II only
- (c) Both I and II ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Neither I nor II
Why the answer is (c)
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833), founder of the Brahmo Sabha, is regarded as the father of the Indian renaissance because he combined reverence for India's heritage with modern reason.
• Statement I is correct: he studied Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic, translated the Upanishads and Vedanta, and drew on Eastern philosophy to argue for monotheism — his reform was a return to what he saw as the pure core of Indian tradition.
• Statement II is correct: he championed rationalism and Western science (petitioning for English and scientific education in 1823), attacked sati, polygamy and caste, and defended women's rights to property and dignity.
• His outlook was thus synthetic, not a rejection of one tradition for another.
• Hence both I and II, option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) I only
- Statement II is also correct: Roy championed rationalism and social equality.
- (b) II only
- Statement I is also correct: Roy revered and drew on Eastern philosophy.
- (d) Neither I nor II
- Both statements accurately describe Roy's outlook.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.