vidyasagar as a reformer of educationas the introductory text to learn bengali alphabets. he...

VIDYASAGAR AS A REFORMER OF EDUCATION

Priyanka Sikder

Guest Lecturer, Dept. of Education

Sri Krishna College, Bagula, Nadia

Dr. Tarini Halder

Assistant Professor, Dept of Education

University of Kalyani

ABSTRACT

Great peoples are born to make an impact on society. When our society was covered

with full of superstitions, illiteracy, unconsciousness, and when British peoples were busy in

their political conquests then Vidyasagar arised like a sun to enlighten our society. He worked

endlessly to transform our society. His contribution towards education and changing the status

of women education and higher education was remarkable. Vidyasagar, who came in the middle

of the 19th century, was a prominent personality among different modernizers. Vidyasagar was a

Bengali Sanskrit Pandit, educator, social reformer, writer and philanthropist. He has a great

contribution in the different aspects of education. He enriched and reforms the education system.

Madhusudan Dutta’ s comment about Vidyasagar was that, - “ He had the wisdom and genius of

a sage, heart of a Bengali mother and energy of an Englishman, is proof of Vidyasagar’ s image

in the 19th century.” In this paper the researcher intends to review and analysis the contribution

of Vidyasagar in the different aspects of education.

KEY WORDS

Enlight, Women Education, Promotion and Contribution.

INTRODUCTION

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is remembered today as a great social and educational

reformer of 19th century Bengal. He is an icon in Bengal and great part of India. He was an

Indian Bengali polymath and key figure of the Bengal Renaissance. Vidyasagar was terribly

conscious of his country’ s weaknesses and to correct them. He favoured education according to

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western method. For him, progress would not come from a return to ancient Indian civilization,

no matter how great it had been. On the contrary, he wanted to progress in the domain of

scientific knowledge as well as development of a critical mind. About him, it is impossible to

think of the towering influence that European thinkers would have exercised over his way of

thinking from his youth. His contribution is remarkable in the different aspects of education. He

brought about a revolution in the Bengal education system and refined the way Bengali language

was written and taught. His thinking about women education and higher education was

incredible. He tried to change the society from superstitions, polygamy etc. After his death

Rabindranath Tagore said.’ One wonders how God, in the process of producing forty million

Bengalis, produced a man’ .

PERSONAL PROFILE

Vidyasagar was born on 26 September, 1820 at the village of Birsingha of Midnapur

district. He was born in Bandyopadhyay family. His father’ s name is Thakurdas

Bandyapadhyay and mother’ s name is Vagabati Devi. His full name is Ishwar Chandra

Bandyapadhyay as he well known Vidyasagar. Vidyasagar means ‘ knowledge of ocean’ . He

received the title Vidyasagar for his outstanding academic performance when he graduated from

Sanskrit College. He is very talented from his childhood. One day after finished his preliminary

education in the primary school of his native village, his teacher, Kalikanta came to his father

and said, this boy is very talented, you should take him to Calcutta and placed him in a good

English school’ . A Sanskrit scholar, he also successfully cleared his law examination in 1839.

He learned Vedanta, Vyakaran, Literature, Rhetoric’ s, Smriti and Ethics in Sanskrit College

during 1829-1841. In 1841, at the age of twenty-one years, he joined Fort William College as a

head of the Sanskrit Department. In 1846 he joined Sanskrit College as vice secretary. He had

spent his own money to open clinics both at Birsingha and in some small towns. He took

responsibilities as an Inspector. His ‘ Borno Porichoy’ (introduction to the letter), is still used

as the introductory text to learn Bengali alphabets. He introduced the practice of widow

remarriage and pushed for the widow remarriage Act XV of 1856. In 1891 his colourful life was

ended in Kolkata at the age of 70. In his initiation many schools were established. His

contribution in writing and publishing books is also remarkable.

Review of Related Literature: The review of related literature which the researcher has been

done as follows:

Banu & Alam (2016), worked on “ Influence of Western Knowledge and Culture

upon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and his Philosophy of education” . They worked

to find to reveal the philosophy of education of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and to reveal

the impact of his philosophy of education on the Bengal society. Lastly, they found



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incredible impact of Vidyasagar’ s thinking on education to the development of Bengal

Society.

Bhattacharjee, (2015), worked on “ Women’ s Issues: Contribution of the Reform and

Reformers in Colonial India.” He worked to analyze the impact of the reform

movement on the Indian society and to identify the social practices that existed in the

colonial India. He found that as a reformer in the aspects of social and educational like

others Vidyasagar has also remarkable contribution.

Biswas, (2012). He worked on “ The Era of Science Enthusiasts in Bengal (1841-1891):

Akshayakumar, Vidyasagar and Rajendralala.” He worked to find out the

contribution of Akshayakumar and Vidyasagar in contemporary education and how they

injected scientific principles in Indian Vernacular Education. He found that they have a

great contribution to inject scientific principles in vernacular education.

Chaudhury (2017), worked on “ Remembrance: A Tribute to Ishwar Chandra

Vidyasagar achievements and Innovations in the field of Education during the 19th

century in Bengal.” He worked to find out various issues about Ishwar Chandra

Vidyasagar in the perspective on education. Finally, he founds that Ishwar Chandra

Vidyasagar has significant contribution on contemporary education.

Ghosh (2018), worked on “ Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’ s contribution in the

development of Bengali language and literature and its relevance in present

context” . In her study she had been taken three objectives, where she intends to find out

the literary works of the Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in the period of 19th century and two

more. She found that Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is the one of the greatest writers of

Bengali literature.

Roy (2018). Worked on “ Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: The champion Educator of

Bengal” to reveal the philosophy of education of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, to reveal

and analyse his thoughts on education and to reveal the impact of his philosophy of

education on then Bengal Society. He found that his ideas in educational reformation is

correlative and he is the key figure of progressive thoughts in education in Bengal

Society.

Sammadar (1989), worked on “ Educational contribution of Pandit Iswar Chandra

Vidyasagar Analysis of humanism materialism and scientism in his educational

philosophy.” She worked to find the contribution of Vidyasagar in education, language

development and to analyse how much he Enlight our society with his educational ideas.



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She found there is a significant contribution of Vidyasagar. He enriched the Bengali

Literature and Enlight education system by his outstanding ideas.

Zafar (2014), worked on “Social Reform in Colonial Bengal: Revisiting Vidyasagar.”

He studied to find out the contribution of Vidyasagar as a social reformer in colonial

Bengal. He found that Vidyasagar has a great contribution to change and reform our

society.

Vidyasagar is a shining star in the development of education in India. He has a great

contribution in the reformation and development of education system. Various research workers

have studied about contribution of Vidyasagar in different aspects like as a social reformer, as an

educational reformer, development of Bengali Literature and Language etc. at different times.

Currently standing in the 21th century, the ideology of Vidyasagar about education is equally

relevant. So on the occasion of his birth anniversary, the researcher paying homage to him

intends to study this work.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

To study the educational ideals of Vidyasagar

To study the role of Vidyasagar to promote education to the masses

To study the role of Vidyasagar in spreading girl’ s education

To study the role of Vidyasagar as an administrator

To study the role of Vidyasagar as a reformer of higher education

To study the role of Vidyasagar as a writer, publisher and editor

Research Questions:

Is there any contribution of Vidyasagar in the field of education?

Is there any contribution of Vidyasagar to promote primary and mass education?

Is there any contribution of Vidyasagar to the development of girl’ s education?

Is there any role of Vidyasagar as an educational administration?

Is there any role of Vidyasagar as a reformer of higher education?

Is there any role of Vidyasagar as a writer, publisher and editor?

Methodology:

The study is Historical in nature. In Historical this study both primary and second sources

are used as sources of collecting data. In this study mainly, secondary sources are used. Data for

this study have been collecting from books articles and Ph.D. thesis. Only qualitative data have

been used in this study. So, the study is qualitative also.



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Educational Ideals of Vidyasagar

Like a real humanist, Vidyasagar always tried to make education more purposive and

enjoyable. The British outlook towards education was to train up a sufficient number of

clerks and administrator who would help in smoothing running of the Government

machinery. But Vidyasagar approach about education was totally different. He wanted to

create a new era for education. He said that students will learn for their practical life.

That’ s why he suggested, the various subjects of Sanskrit will be teaching in the

scientific and logical way.

The idea that Vidyasagar believed in education was that, -" the education of the Indians

would be sufficient knowledge regarding Sanskrit and English which enriched our

mother language by the western civilization and science." He realized that, western

education is very important for the development and progress of Indians. However, this

knowledge is extracted through English language but main objective is development of

native language through Western knowledge. Not only he imparted this knowledge on

English knowledge and western science but also Vidyasagar understood this true fact of

mother language development in education

Vidyasagar suggested including the psychological, scientific and logical aspect of his

proposed curriculum. He favored reading, writing, geography, History, Mathematics,

Natural Philosophy, Mental and Moral Philosophy, geometry, moral science, political

science, physiology, natural science, physiology, English language and western language

etc. He adopted English as a compulsory subject not elective subject. He linked the

education with the vocational aspects.

The NCF- 2005 emphasized on meaningful and joyful learning instead of rote learning.

Vidyasagar had doing it in the long past. He suggested simplified and rationalized syllabus by

eliminating the irrelevant, complex Sanskrit grammar and other contents. According to him

education should be practical and life centric.

He wanted expansion of Western Education because he realized that the progress of the

country and the overall development of the individual could only come through the acquisition of

the knowledge of the latest development of science and materialist philosophy. He was never a

theorist only. He had always tried to translate his ideology into direct action. He was not satisfied

with the prevailing texts like Anandamangal and Bidyasundar. He wrote many books for the

students. Vidyasagar suggested that Sanskrit, Science and Mathematics should be remodeled in

idiomatic Bengali, based on Western knowledge.

When Vidyasagar was student, he noticed that only the rote learning was the way for

teaching. After that when he joined Sanskrit College as a Principal he wanted to change

the teaching system. He suggested life centric and practical teaching. According to him,



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students will learn through experience. Vidyasagar wanted to introduce pleasant readings

of topical interested: about animals, plants, painting, navigation etc. He said that,

classroom will be pleasant and interactive between students and teachers. He emphasized

on logic and scientific method.

According to Vidyasagar mother language will be only medium of instruction. Teacher

can easily present complex contents through mother language. Students also can easily

understand the significance and importance of contents through mother language.

Vidyasagar sharply criticizes mother language's neglect in the education system in that

time. He suggested medium of instruction will be Bengali based on Western Education.

He suggested that the students learn the basic rules of the Sanskrit language in Bengali.

He said English was made compulsory for the first five classes and mathematics was

taught in English. History, Geography and Natural sciences etc. were taught in the

western model.

Regarding examination of the students Vidyasagar had a radical view. The examinations

of the colleges were held annually. Vidyasagar had serious objection of this. For

evaluation, Vidyasagar introduced monthly exam instead of annual examination to make

the students achieve round the year. Because he more emphasized on all round

development of individuals. At present, there are lots of talks about CCE (Continuous

Comprehension Evaluation).

Vidyasagar introduce the scholarship examination. Instead of two junior scholarship

examination (one for ‘ Sahitya’ class and the other for ‘ Alankara’ class), the senior

scholarship test programme was changed significantly.

Vidyasagar’ s View on Moral Education

Vidyasagar supported moral education. He always gave importance in the moral

development of the students. Many of his literature reflect the moral of education. For the

‘ Alankara’ class, he wanted to add readings of essays on ethics. For ‘ Smrti’ class,

Vidyasagar kept ‘ Manu Samhita’ as curriculum and about it he wrote, - ‘ It treats of social,

moral, religious and economical laws.’ He translated 68 tales of English translation of Eshop’ s

Fable by Rev. Thomas James in Bengali. Vidyasagar gave importance on moral philosophy as

curriculum contents. In 1852 he wrote the book ‘ Betal Panchabinsati’ . In the preface of the

book he wrote that, it is a collection of legendary stories of Raja Vikramaditya. The original of

these tales to be found in the Kathasaritasagar by Somdeva Bhatta. For development of morality

among students he suggested to include these books as curriculum and he always added moral

talks at the end of every short story in the books of “ Kathamala” , “ Bodhodaya” etc.



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Development of Primary and Mass Education

Vidyasagar has a great contribution in primary education. Till the time of Vidyasagar, primary

education did not get any importance by the British government. In that time Primary education

was neglected. In 1853 Vidyasagar wrote a report to Halliday to explain the needs for

emphasizing on primary education. ln this report Vidyasagar freed it from the old reforms and

imposed on the formation of primary schools, writing books and teacher’ s training. To improve

the levels of “PATHASALAS” education, he suggested the creation of Model Schools which

would be regularly inspected. He wrote many books in the development of primary or basic

education. 'Varna Porichoy' is the incredible creation of Vidyasagar. In primary education he

suggested mother language as a medium of instruction. Two districts will be under one inspector.

Vidyasagar emphasized on writing, reading, arithmetic, geography, physiology, political science,

history, geometry, moral science etc.as curriculum in primary education. He started circle system

for the school administration. He established normal schools for the teachers training. Burdwan,

Hooghly, Midnapur and Nadia, in each of these four districts five normal schools were

established. For the development of primary education in Hooghly, Burdwan and Midnapur the

model schools where established. Thus, he was spreading the basic education to masses. His

efforts in the field of primary education, both for boys and girls, would have been even a greater

success if the Bengali elite members had stood behind him and helped him more vigorously.

ESTABLISHMENT OF TEACHER S TRANING SCHOOL

In 1866, the Bengal Government had written to the Committee of the Bethune School to acquaint

its members with the interest taken by the authorities in the opening of a Normal Class of Female

Teachers in connection with the Bethune School. Vidyasagar realized the importance of teachers

training. For this he requested to the Government to establish teachers training schools, where

teacher could develop their teaching skills. But the British Government was unwilling to help

financial support for these schools. By his initiation a Normal School was established on 17th

July, 1850. After that in 1855, a Normal School was established where sixty teachers will be

trained in two installments. To implement his teachers training programmed plan twenty-five

schools were established in the districts of Midnapur, Burdwan, Hooghly and Nadia. Now-a-days

there are lots of talk about teachers training programme. Now Different committee, commissions,

Educational policy, NCTE emphasized on teachers training.

EFFORTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALE EDUCATION

One of the Vidyasagar's most notable achievements in the context of 19th century women's

progress is the promotion of women's education in Bengal. He has a great contribution in women

education. He stood beside them like a bright sun when women were neglected. Vidyasagar



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believed that education would bring dignity for women into society. By pushing the traditional

superstitions, he began to promote women education. The vigilant icon of modernity has rightly

realized that there is no liberation of women without education.

Vidyasagar & Bethune School: In 1949, Mr. Bethune established a free school for

girl’ s education with helps some Bengali leaders. After that, it was known by

Bethune school. In 1950, Vidyasagar took charges of Bethune School. After that,

he requested to his friends and familiar to send their daughter at Bethune School.

For his kind request pandit Taranath Bachospati, Shambhunath pandit, Haradeb

Chattopadhyay leading royal people sent their daughters at the school.

Debendranath Tagore also sent his daughter Soudamini to the school. According

to Vidyasagar instruction, Bethune School used to write on two sides of the

Bethune school’ s cars- “ kanyapyobog palonia shikshaniyati jatnata” (The

daughters should be cared for and taught as sons).

Helps in establishment of girl’ s school: When the Secretary of the Education

Council, Dr. Mouat came to India, he was interested about women education

in India. Vidyasagar wrote a report to Mouat for spreading and development

of women education. He was particularly active in the promotion of women

education. Vidyasagar agreed with Mr. Mouat and decided that a girl's school

will be set up in the village where the residents can efforts it. According to

this planning in 1858, three schools in the Midnapur district, eleven schools in

the Burdwan district, twenty schools in the Hooghly district, one in the Nadia

district school was established. The students of this school were 3500.

Formation of Nari Shiksha Bhandar: Vidyasagar hoped that he will get

financial help from Indian Govt. for these schools. But even after a year he

realized that Indian Govt.is unwilling to help financial help. Meanwhile, the

teachers of the schools were not getting remuneration. He did a lot of writing

for it. In the end the money was once accepted. Govt. of India has informed

that government cannot afford any permanent money for Vidyasagar girl’ s

school. Then Vidyasagar formed the Nari Shiksha Bhandar to solve the

financial problems of these schools. To maintain these schools and pay the

teachers, he did not hesitate to spend his own money while waiting for the

Government’ s refund.

Spreading of Female education in rural areas: Vidyasagar did not just create

a deep inter connector for women’ s education in the middle-class society of



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Calcutta, the center of Bengal and India. He spread the women education in

the rural areas also. Vidyasagar itself established a girl’ s school at Jougram

village.

Now-a- days there is a lot of discussions on women’ s education, women liberation,

women empowerment, gender discrimination etc. Now we see several schemes initiated by the

governments like Kanyashree Prokalpo, Beti Bachao, Beti Parhao (save girls, educate girls) etc.

That time Vidyasagar established Nari Shiksha Bhander for financial assistance of girl’ s

education. Now different committee, commissions emphasizes on equal education irrespective of

caste, creed, religion, gender etc. Vidyasagar thought about these in that time.

Vidyasagar as an Educational Administrator

To maintain healthy administration system in schools Vidyasagar started circle systems

and inspection system for schools. For inspection he decided, two districts will be under one

inspector. The principal of Sanskrit college will perform additional duties as chief inspector.

Vidyasagar himself played the role of inspector of South Bengal circle to ensure proper

management of the school inspection system. In 1855, Vidyasagar is appointed as special

inspector of schools of South Bengal. At a time Vidyasagar handled the responsibility of Sanskrit

college, normal schools, model schools of four districts, and department of Bengali in Hindu

college.

As an administrative reformist he was an icon. In his administration he opened the

gates of Sanskrit college to all irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Not only had these he also

initiated the acceptance of admission fees and tuition fees. He was very much careful to ensure

punctuality of attendance and disciplines in the classes. He even introduced the weekly holiday

and summer vocation in the sultry months of May and June.

Now-a day, there is a concept of bio-metric attendance and stipulated fixed hour in the

school and college premises. Vidyasagar had done the same thing when he took drastic measures

to ensure punctuality and regularity of attendance for both teachers and students in t5he Sanskrit

college.

Vidyasagar and Development of Higher Education

Vidyasagar has a great contribution in the development and reformation of higher education. He

enriched and reformed Indian higher education system. The contribution of Vidyasagar in

composing textbooks, development of quality of excellence, development of various institutions

is immense. In 1857 he elected as a fellow of Calcutta University.

Metropolitan Institution: He played the major part in the foundation, the

management and the development of this institution. In 1859 when Calcutta training

school established he became its secretary. At first it was named Hindu Metropolitan



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Institution, then Metropolitan Institution and after that it was known by Vidyasagar

College. At this time Vidyasagar formed a committee with the help of Dwarakanath

Mitra and Krishnanath Pal. In their endeavor on January 1872, the institution received

approval from Calcutta University for the arts subjects and two years later, at this,

examination the institution came second of the Colleges affiliated to the Calcutta

University. Such a success for a completely Bengali establishment, without any

European professor, came as a surprise. It became the first Indian higher education

institute run by Indians. Vidyasagar, till his death, assumed the full responsibilities

for the Institution’ s management and the recruitment of the teaching staff. C.E.

Buckland, in his book Bengal under the Lieutenants Governors, wrote: “ The

establishment of the Metropolitan Institution in Calcutta in 1864, and his (Vidyasagar)

successful working under its management as a first grade college, are well known to

the educational history in Bengal; it was the prototype and the pattern of many similar

institutions. The Metropolitan Institution had an attached school of 800 boys, besides

4 or 3 branches in different quarters of the town of Calcutta.”

Fort William College: After completion the college life in 1841, he joined Fort

William College as a head Pandit. During this time, he came to rescue the higher

education system like an angel. Vidyasagar performed his duties with responsibilities

bestowed upon him at this college. Vidyasagar's English language, despite having

acquired enough knowledge, has given great importance to the culture and tradition

of his native country. When he became the College Director, Vidyasagar replaced

these Sanskrit text-books by others that taught Western mathematics. When he was

student, he saw students learnt by rote, and there were never any possibilities for

discussions and no opening on to the rest of the world. Later as the Director,

Vidyasagar will introduce many changes for the better.

Vidyasagar as a Reconstructor of Sanskrit College: In 1846, Vidyasagar joined

Sanskrit College as Assistant secretary. He stayed in this post for a short time only

and, the following year due to some reasons he resigned. As soon as he took the post

and then, he tried to introduce some amount of discipline in the College. In 1851, he

rejoined Sanskrit College as principal. The Pandit was not only aiming at the

preservation of the Sanskrit College and Sanskrit Studies, his ambition was to use the

knowledge of Sanskrit for the progress of the Bengali Language. At that time, he

made some important reforms of the associated Sanskrit college-

For the common people mother language will be medium of instruction.

Emphasizes on Bengali Grammar by reducing excess gravity over Sanskrit grammar. He

suggested that the students learn the basic rules of the Sanskrit language in Bengali. Then

they should study selected texts from Hitopadesa, Ramayana, and Mahabharata etc.

English language will be compulsory through Sanskrit college.



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He divided the College in two sections: junior and senior. Grammar, Literature and

rhetoric classes were in the junior section and Nyaya, Vedanta and Smriti in the senior

one.

He emphasizes on scientific education. The students did not like grammar, they found it

boring, being lazy, and they failed at the examination. He changed the way to teach

subject and introduced monthly examinations. He also modified the way of teaching

arithmetic and algebra in the mathematics and astronomy class.

Vidyasagar opens the door of Sanskrit college for all regardless of caste, colour, race,

gender etc.

Under his supervision, neither the teachers nor the students could play truant without

permission.

Teachers and pupils were expected to arrive in the morning at 10:30. Many senior pandits

always arrived late. Vidyasagar made it a habit to stand every morning at the door of the

College waiting for the teachers. Slowly, the number of late comers diminished.

He emphasizes on Bengali, Sanskrit and English language. For the students of the

Grammar class, Vidyasagar introduced a new method of teaching Sanskrit ‘ Uyakaran’

that shortened the long time previously spent to master Sanskrit grammar.

For Literature class he suggested Kumarasambhava to Kadambari, for Rhetoric class he

recommended Mammata’ s Kavyaprakasa, Visvanath’ s Sahitya Darpana,

Dhananjaya’ s Dasarupaka. Instead, English Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry

textbooks should be translated into Bengali. For these classes of junior section, he wanted

to introduce pleasant reading of topical interest about animals and plants, printing press,

navigation, earthquakes, the Great Chinese Wall, bees etc. Nyaya class was taught

touches upon subjects relating to Chemistry, Optics, and Mechanics etc.

CONTRIBUTION IN BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

Vidyasagar contribution in literature is immense. He also understood the important role

played by newspapers and periodicals, both Bengali and English, for the public enlightenment.

He wrote and published many books. He enriched the Bengali and Sanskrit literature. Nyaya,

Sahitya Darshana is the Sanskrit book written and published by Vidyasagar from his own press

named as’ Sanskrit Press and Depository’ with the partnership of Madan Mohan Tarkalankar.

On November 1858, appeared the first number of the Bengali weekly ‘ Somprakash’ of which

he was the founder. In 1869, Vidyasagar sold two-third of his press to pay off his debts following



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the widow-remarriages that he organized. In 1872, the Pandit was also the initiator of an

insurance scheme, the ‘ Hindu Family Annuity Fund’ . His incredible creations are-

A. Books Written and Compiled by Vidyasagar: Vidyasagar translated many books from

Sanskrit and Hindi to Bengali like Vasudeva- Charit, Betalpanchabingsati, Banglar Itihas,

Jiban- Charit, Bodhodaya, Sanskrita Byakaraner Upakramanika, Byakaran Kaumudi,

Sakuntala, Kathamala, Vrantibilas, and Barno Porichoy etc.

B. Books Written by Vidyasagar in Pseudoname: After the publications his books and

his social work many contemporary padits opposed Vidyasagar. Then Vidyasagar started

writing in pseudoname. These ares- Ati Alpo Hailo, Abar Ati Alpo Hailo, Brajabilas,

Ratnaporikhsa etc.

C. Books Edited by Vidyasagar: Vidyasagar edited many books like- Anandamangal,

Padya- Sangraha, Raghubansam, Kumar Sambhav, Kadambari, Meghduta, Uttacharitam,

Abhignam Sakuntalam etc.

D. Articles written Vidyasagar in Newspapers and Magazines: He wrote many articles in

various articles and magazines like- Tattabodhini Patrika, Sarbasubhakari Potrika, Sakha

etc.

CONCLUSION

Vidyasagar was one of the earliest entrepreneurs of Bengal to bring a new era of Bengal.

It is true that Vidyasagar greatest contribution in his century was his personality. His visions for

a better education are an ideal for even today. Whenever he found that his ideals were not

practicable, he had left the scene immediately. That is why he died a loner, but he has been

remembered for his exceptional contribution. He has a great contribution in the field of social

reform, educational reform and literature. His ideas about nationalism, humanism, and

democratic liberalism had influenced the colonial middle class in 19th century. Reformation of

Sanskrit College, development of women education, Barno Porichoy, widow re-marriage is the

incredible work of Vidyasagar. He enriched our Bengali literature by his written. He opens the

door of education to all. He will forever be remembered for his work to Bengalis and the world.

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