Indian Renaissance and Education: From Rammohan to Vivekananda By Biswa Ranjan Purkait

Book Description - 

Preface

This book reflects my fifteen years of teaching and research at the postgraduate level at the University of Kalyani. During my time as a student, I was deeply inspired by the vibrant events that shaped various aspects of our national life in the 19th century—religious, social, political, cultural, and educational. This period, marked by an extraordinary surge of knowledge and cultural richness, is often referred to as the Renaissance. Although the term "Renaissance" originates from the West, it shares several features with its Indian counterpart, despite the differing contexts.

This cultural movement revitalized our national landscape, driven by the influence of Western education and inspiration from our classical literature and ancient heritage, rich with timeless values. The infusion of Western liberal ideas opened new perspectives in Indian thought, putting age-old traditions to the test. The transition from a Dark Age to an Age of Illumination was fueled by the New Light of Education, which served as both a cause and effect of the Renaissance movement. This transformative education sparked significant changes across various fields.

The emergence of modern India is a direct result of the awakening that began in the 19th century. Our national achievements, which fill us with pride today and elevate our standing in the world, are rooted in this Renaissance. It was during this time that remarkable figures such as Raja Rammohan, Radhakanta Deb, Vidyasagar, Derozio, M. G. Ranade, Dayananda, Aurobindo, Vivekananda, and Rabindranath emerged, each making significant contributions to educational development in India.

In my view, the Renaissance brought about the most profound changes in the realm of education, which is why it has particularly captured my interest.