Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha (1836) - Modern India History Notes
Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha was founded in 1836 by the associates of Raja Rammohan Roy. It came into being before the existence of the Indian National Congress (INC). It worked for administrative reforms, association of Indians with the administration, and spread of education and helped in arousing general will and laying down a path towards modern nationalism among the masses. This article will discuss the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha which is important for aspirants preparing for UPSC examination.
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Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha - Background
- Prasanna Kr. Thakur, Kalinath Chowdhury, Dwarakanath Tagore, and others were the associates of Raja Rammohan Roy who founded the Bangabhasa Prakasika Sabha in 1836.
- They were all descendants of Zamindari traditions.
- The sabha's president was Gouri Sankar Bhattacharya, and the secretary was Durgaprasad Tarkapanchanan.
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a pioneering political leader in the modern sense.
- He began agitating for demands such as the appointment of Indians to higher government positions, press freedom, the prevention of Zamindari oppression of Ryots, and so on.
Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha - Objectives
- It was the first organized political association that was formed in India.
- It worked towards the reform of administrative association of Indians with the British, spread of education, pushing forward Indian demands to the British parliament.
- It was launched under the leadership of Gourishankar Tarkabagish.
- The objective of the association was to promote Bengali education by means of polemics and build up public opinion.
- This organization worked towards the promotion of vernacular literature of Bengal.
- Various English educated intellectuals such as Sisir Das helped in developing and promoting vernacular Bengali literature and established many Bengali societies for this purpose.
Conclusion
The sabha was vehemently opposed to taxing non-taxable land. However, they did not elicit widespread political opposition in the country. As a result, the sabha did not last long. However, it was India's first political organization.
FAQs
Question: What was the main objective of the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha?
Answer: The main objective of the Sabha was to promote the use of the Bengali language in legal and administrative matters, as well as to encourage the development of Bengali literature and cultural identity.
Question: Who were the prominent figures associated with the Bengal Renaissance during the time of the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha?
Answer: Prominent figures included Raja Rammohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, who were key reformers advocating for education, social reform, and the use of vernacular languages.
Question: How did the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha contribute to the Bengal Renaissance?
Answer: The Sabha played a significant role in promoting Bengali language and literature, which contributed to the broader cultural and intellectual revival of Bengal during the Bengal Renaissance.
Question: What was the political significance of the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha?
Answer: While primarily a cultural organization, the Sabha addressed issues of social and political reform, laying the groundwork for later nationalist movements in Bengal.
Question: Why did the activities of the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha decline?
Answer: The Sabha's activities declined by the mid-19th century due to changing socio-political dynamics and the rise of new movements such as the Young Bengal Movement.
MCQs
1. What was the main focus of the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha?A) Promoting English education
B) Promoting the Bengali language
C) Supporting British administration
D) Advocating for universal suffrage
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha was primarily focused on promoting the Bengali language in administration, law, and literature.
A) The Vedic period
B) The Bengal Renaissance
C) The Revolt of 1857
D) The Gandhian Era
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Bengal Renaissance (19th century) is the period during which the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha emerged as part of the cultural and intellectual revival in Bengal.
A) Swami Vivekananda
B) Raja Rammohan Roy
C) Sardar Patel
D) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: Raja Rammohan Roy was a key figure during the Bengal Renaissance, advocating for social reform and the promotion of vernacular languages.
A) It focused exclusively on literary activities
B) It actively promoted British rule
C) It addressed issues of social and political reform
D) It led the Quit India Movement
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: While the Sabha was primarily focused on cultural activities, it also addressed issues related to social and political reform, influencing later political movements in Bengal.
A) The success of the Indian independence movement
B) Decline in interest in the Bengali language
C) Emergence of new movements like the Young Bengal Movement
D) Lack of financial support
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The decline of the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha occurred due to the rise of new movements such as the Young Bengal Movement, which attracted greater attention.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Discuss the contribution of the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha to the cultural revival in Bengal during the 19th century.
Answer: The Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha played a significant role in the cultural revival of Bengal during the 19th century by promoting the Bengali language and literature. It fostered linguistic pride and contributed to the development of Bengali journalism and essay writing. The Sabha also organized debates and discussions on social and political issues, influencing the intellectual landscape of Bengal. It was instrumental in encouraging the use of Bengali in legal and administrative matters, which laid the foundation for the later Bengali nationalist movement.
Q2: Analyze the role of language associations like the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha in the Indian nationalist movement.
Answer: Language associations like the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha played a crucial role in the Indian nationalist movement by promoting linguistic and cultural identity. These associations helped foster a sense of pride in indigenous languages and traditions, which were often marginalized under British rule. The promotion of vernacular languages like Bengali created a platform for political discourse and mobilization. By advocating for the use of local languages in education, law, and administration, these associations laid the intellectual groundwork for the nationalist struggle against colonial rule.
Q3: Evaluate the significance of the Bengal Renaissance in shaping modern Indian thought and culture, with reference to institutions like the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha.
Answer: The Bengal Renaissance was a period of profound cultural, intellectual, and social transformation in India, and institutions like the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha played a pivotal role in this movement. The Renaissance fostered a revival of interest in Indian philosophy, literature, and social reform, blending traditional values with modern ideas. The Sabha’s focus on promoting the Bengali language contributed to the development of modern Indian thought by emphasizing the importance of indigenous culture and education. This cultural awakening had a lasting impact on Indian society, influencing the freedom struggle and the emergence of modern Indian identity.
Previous Year Questions on Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019
Question: Which of the following movements is associated with the Bengal Renaissance?
A) Non-Cooperation Movement
B) Swadeshi Movement
C) Young Bengal Movement
D) Civil Disobedience Movement
Answer: C
Explanation: The Young Bengal Movement was a radical intellectual movement associated with the Bengal Renaissance, advocating for modern education, free thought, and social reform.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 1)
Question: How did the Bengal Renaissance contribute to the rise of nationalism in India?
Answer: The Bengal Renaissance contributed to the rise of nationalism in India by promoting social and cultural reform, education, and the use of vernacular languages. Intellectuals like Raja Rammohan Roy and institutions like the Bangabhasha Prakasika Sabha played key roles in reviving Indian culture and creating a sense of national identity. The Renaissance fostered a spirit of resistance against colonial domination, influencing subsequent political movements and laying the groundwork for the Indian freedom struggle.
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