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
(d) Neither I nor II

Based on the statements in the image, the correct answer is (c) Both I and II.

Explanation

Statement I: Correct. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a profound scholar who was deeply learned in traditional Eastern philosophies. He studied the Vedas and Upanishads extensively in Sanskrit and believed that the original Hindu scriptures espoused a simple, rational monotheism. His reform efforts were not about rejecting Eastern tradition, but about reforming it by clearing away what he saw as later superstitions. E.g., his translation of the Upanishads was intended to show people the “true” and rational basis of their own faith.
Statement II: Correct. This statement captures the other half of his intellectual and social mission. He was a champion of modern Western thought and strongly advocated for introducing a rational, scientific, and secular education in India. His campaigns for the abolition of Sati, his arguments against the caste system, and his advocacy for women’s rights were all rooted in the modern principles of human dignity and social equality.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is a key figure of the Bengal Renaissance precisely because he sought to create a synthesis of the best of Eastern philosophy (Statement I) and Western rationalism (Statement II).