Rightly called as the Father of Modern India, Raja Ram Mohan Roy pioneered the Bengali as well as Indian Renaissance in the 19th century.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a great personality who devoted his entire life to enlighten the darkness of the society and transform India into a better place. He founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 which played a significant role in fighting against the age-old religious dogmas and the modernization of Indian society. Being a great scholar, thinker and reformist ahead of his time; Roy fought to abolish several dark practices including Sati Pratha, child marriage, caste system, dowry, untouchability etc. of the country. Also, he founded many schools to popularize modern system of education as well as ensure the rights of women to education. For his works in the fields of religion, society, politics, education, public administration and more, Raja Ram Mohan Roy is still considered as one of the most important figures in the history of India.

Here are some important quotes by him:

"The superstitious practices which deform the Hindu religion have nothing to do with the pure spirit of its dictates."

"Truth and Virtue do not necessarily belong to wealth and Power and distinctions of big mansions."

"The greater our intercourse with European gentlemen, the greater will be our improvement in literary, social, and political affairs."

"To abuse and insult, is inconsistent with reason and justice."

"For wise and good men always feel disinclined to hurt those that are of much less strength than themselves."

"Just consider how terrible the day of your death will be. Others will go on speaking and you will not be able to argue back."

"The God is one. He has no end. He exists in all the living things on the Earth."

"The present system of Hindus is not well calculated to promote their political interests. It is necessary that some change should take place in their religion at least for the sake of political advantage and social comfort."

"I have never ceased ... to contemplate these practices with the strongest feelings of regret and to view in them the moral debasement of a race who ... are capable of better things ... worthy of a better destiny."

"I have now given up all worldly avocations, and am engaged in religious culture and in the investigation of truth."

"The greater our intercourse with European gentlemen, the greater will be our improvement in literary, social, and political affairs."

"The failure of several mercantile houses in Calcutta has produced much distrust both in India and England."