Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
GS II-History
Context:
Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar has been in the news recently.
Early Life & Education
- Born on July 6, 1837, in Malvan, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra.
- Among the first graduates of Bombay University in 1862.
Political & Academic Contributions
- Served as a non-official member of the Imperial Legislative Council in 1903 due to his contributions as an educationist.
- Honored with the title Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire by the British government in 1911.
- In 1917, the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute was established in Pune to recognize his work as a pioneer in Scientific Orientology in India.
Key Contributions
- Contributions to Orientology
- Made notable advancements in the study of Vedic literature, Sanskrit, and Indian epigraphy.
- His research played a crucial role in reconstructing India’s ancient history.
- Represented India in Oriental Studies conferences in London (1874) and Vienna (1886), making invaluable contributions.
- Advocacy for Social Reforms
- In 1853, he became a part of Paramhansa Sabha, a secret society dedicated to fighting caste-based discrimination.
- He was also actively involved in the Prarthana Samaj, founded in 1867, which promoted social and religious reform.
- During a 1912 conference for the depressed classes, he urged Hindus to abolish untouchability.
- Women’s Empowerment & Education
- Supported women’s education, widow remarriage, and child marriage reforms by citing ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts.
- In 1885, alongside Vaman Abaji Modak and Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade, he co-founded the Maharashtra Girls Education Society (MGE).
- The MGE established Huzurpaga, Pune’s first native-run girls’ high school.
About Prarthana Samaj
- Established in March 1867 in Mumbai by Atmaram Pandurang during Keshub Chandra Sen’s visit to Maharashtra.
- Gained widespread influence after Mahadev Govind Ranade joined.
- Expanded into southern India through Telugu reformer Kandukuri Veeresalingam.
- Aimed at promoting theistic worship and driving social reform.