Founder of Brahmo Samaj: Raja Ram Mohan Roy

The question asks to identify the founder of the Brahmo Samaj, which was a significant socio-religious reform movement in 19th-century India.

Understanding Brahmo Samaj

The Brahmo Samaj was established to reform Hinduism, challenging practices like idol worship and the caste system. It advocated for monotheism (belief in one God) and promoted rationalism and spiritual teachings based on the Upanishads.

Identifying the Founder

The pivotal figure behind the founding of the Brahmo Samaj was Raja Ram Mohan Roy. He established the movement in 1828, aiming to purify the religion and instill rationalism and social reform.

Analysis of Options

• Swami Vivekananda: While a prominent spiritual leader and reformer, Swami Vivekananda is primarily associated with the Ramakrishna Mission and spreading Vedanta philosophy globally. He came later than the founding period of Brahmo Samaj.
• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: He was a renowned scholar and social reformer who worked extensively for widow remarriage and women's education. However, he was not the founder of Brahmo Samaj.
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Correct. He is widely regarded as the founder of Brahmo Samaj and a key figure in the Bengal Renaissance. His efforts aimed at religious and social reform laid the foundation for many later movements.
• Debendranath Tagore: He was an important leader within the Brahmo Samaj after its initial founding and played a crucial role in its development and spread, particularly in consolidating its principles. However, Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the originator.

Therefore, Raja Ram Mohan Roy is correctly identified as the founder of the Brahmo Samaj.