The Bengal Conundrum: These Bengal Renaissance Heroes Used Science to Revive Cultural Nationalism

It has been a year since unprecedented violence took place in West Bengal after the Assembly election results were announced. Fact is the philosophical base for 19th century reforms in Bengal can be traced to ancient Bharatiya heritage of ‘Sanatan Dharma’. Acharya Ray described Mookerjee’s efforts as vice-chancellor in his foreword to Sir Ashutosh Mookerjee: A Study by Prabodh Chandra Sinha, “ nationalism and internationalism in culture problems of the deepest moment, sink his foundations of education deep into the wells of national traditions with the help of foreign machinery and at the same time took care that the foundation provided the most delicious beverage to all nations.” Akshay Kumar Datta Datta taught Physics and Geography at Tattvabodhini Pathshala that was set up in 1840. When Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar established many vernacular institutions, he opened a normal school to prepare qualified teachers for these institutions.’ It is important to note that the reform movement in Bengal in 19th century was at the core of Bengal Renaissance and subsequent emergence of an anti-British nationalist movement. The next part of this series would take a look at these Islamic movements in Bengal during 19th century and how it became a counterfoil to the Hindu nationalism under the patronage of the British.