For verification of this paper, please visit on http://www.socialresearchfoundation.com/anthology.php#8

The term Liberalism indicates or connotes enlightenment , education , democracy and progress to be realised through a sustained social, political, economic and cultural reforms . Liberalism indicates the evolution of liberal thought on the basis of different thinkers . From this point of view such an issue can be discuss under the thinking of different thinkers : Jhon Lock : There are different school of Liberalism and the most important name of a liberal thinker is that of Jhon Lock (29th August ,1632 to 28th October,1704) , who was the founder of the Liberalism as notable in England against the background of Stuart despotism under James the II . The most important writing book of Jhon Lock was , “ Two Treaties of Government ” . Lock’s theory combined stability, freedom , consent , constitutionalism , representative government , property and toleration which played a crucial and pivotal role in an orderly development of Western Democracies .1 Particularly his concept of constitutionalism , toleration , natural rights , limited and law based government authority , pluralism and property had a significant impact . Locks social and political philosophy laid down the foundation of an establishment of liberalism which provided for the 18th century a metaphysics , a theory of education , theology of morals and politics that formulated theories of individualism , utilitarianism , democracy and capitalism .2

Kelly Paul’s book on ‘Liberalism’ , vividly described various aspects on Liberalism. Mill Jhon Stuart in his work ‘On Liberty & Utilitarianism’, exposes aspects and chief features on Liberty and Utilitarianism but silent on the impact of Liberalism in formation of any monolithic form of institution. Similarly Paul Ellen Franklin , Fred Miller Jr. and Jeffery Paul (ed.) – ‘ Liberalism Old and New’ , Vol. – 24 , Part – I focuses on the chief features and aspects of Liberalism but silent on its impact in the formation of an institution like Brahmo Samaj. On the other hand George Sher’s (ed.) volume ‘Utilitarianism’, discussed about the objectives on Utilitarianism but silent on other British ideologies like Liberalism. Writer like Hampton E Jean in his book ‘ Political Philosophy : Dimensions of Philosophy’, focuses on the various aspects of Philosophy but silent on ideological concept of liberalism specially its impact on the formation of enlighten Samaj like institution. Laski Harold J, in the work of ‘ The Rise of European Liberalism : An essay in Interpretation’, explain the very genesis of Liberalism but silent on Indian socialism specially impact of liberalism in the formation of Brahmo Samaj. Kopf David in his work ‘The Brahmo Samaj and the shaping of the modern Indian Mind’ , discussed about the aims and objectives of Brahmo Samaj in the formation of enlightened Structure and how it connect with liberal ideas. Sen Amiya P book on ‘Rammohun Roy : A Critical Biography’, focuses on the active role of Rammohun in the renaissance Period which helped to understand the condition of the society in the 19th Century Bengal.

Jhon Stuart Mill: Jhon Stuart Mill (20^th May 1806 to 8^th may 1873), son of the famous Utilitarian philosopher James Mill, was the most influential political thinker of the 19^th Century. In this political theory liberalism made a transition famous Laissez – faire to an active role of the State from a negative to a positive conception of liberty.³ He defended basic freedom by lock whose aim was to maximise liberty. He recognised the difference between public sphere regulated by law and private sphere regulated by morality and held that a liberal society was essential for a liberal state and government. Moreover, he was a champion of freedom of speech, right of individuality and gender equality. He also advocated social justice, liberal scientific and secular education.⁴
Finally, it can be note that he supported trade unionism for establishing a balance in the bargaining process between the capitalist and their employees. The most important books of Jhon Stuart Mill were ---- a) “On Liberty”, b) “Representative Government”.
Other Liberal Thinkers
Thomas Paine (9^th February 1737 to 8^th June 1809)
He was a strong champion of human rights and democracy as the main centre of liberalism. He strongly supported the workers movement, trade union movement, Churchist moment. His famous book “The Rights of Man” is a famous document for human rights.⁵
Edmund Burke (12^th January, 1729 to 9^th July 1797)
He was very well known politician. Burke was a strong champion of the fundamental rights and liberties of the people. He wrote two books ---- a) “On conciliation with America” in which he strongly protested the despotism of George the III. b) “Reflections of the Revolution in France” -- when there (France) was a national protest against the monarchical regime, Burke as a liberal philosopher strongly supported the progressive liberal movement of the people. However, he withdraw his support to the French Revolution, when it degenerated in to a terrorist movement.⁶
Jeremy Bentham (15^th February 1748 to 6^th June 1832)
His Utilitarianism was a form of administrative liberalism based on the principle of the utility or popular welfare ----- ‘the greatest good always for the greatest number’, which could be realised through liberal and progressive administrative reforms (administrative liberalism).⁷
Thomas Babington Macaulay (25^th October 1800 to 28^th December 1859)
Macaulay apparently wanted to educate and enlighten the people by introducing a liberal, rational, secular and scientific education.⁸ His avowed purpose was liberalisation and modernisation of the Indian society and popular mentality through enlightenment, but this policy was a hypocrisy. The real purpose was not the improvement of the people but the consolidation of the British rule. His actual motive was total Anglicisation of the Indian culture by the compulsion of blindly emulating the British culture on the part of Indian people.⁹ Therefore, Mauculian Liberalism was nothing but a hypocrisy in the words of Gauri Viswanathan, “The Mask of Conquest.” ¹⁰
John Bordley Rawls (21^st February 1921 to 24^th November 2002)
‘Theory of Justice’, as the title of the book suggested Rawls main purpose was to ensure justice to the Indian people and recognise their freedom of consign.¹¹
Raja Rao (8^th November 1908 to 8^th July 2006)
He wanted to autonomy to the citizens in order to free them from restrictions and compulsions of the administrative machinery.¹²
Jean Elizabeth Hampton (1^st June 1954 to 2^nd April 1996)
According to Jean Hampton, there were some common points. These were five in number as follows : a) freedom, b) equality, c) justice and toleration, d) democracy, e) reason.¹³
But here, there was an example so far as Macaulian Liberalism has concern which as it found above was really motivated with British imperial interest not the democratic interest of the Indian people. 
In this connection here it can be noted that a protest against liberalism known as Communitarianism was evolved during those days. Thinkers like Meintyre, Charls Taylor, Michael J. Sandel were opposed the liberal theory of giving to much importance to the individuals. They rather emphasised the importance of organised communities under state administration which according to them would ensure the individual as well as collective interest of the people.¹⁴ This theory influenced later on the Feminist movement under Jean Bethke Elshtain (6^th January 1941 to 11^th august 2013). This is the root history of the doctrine of Liberalism. In this connection another point need to be mention that Renaissance period i.e 19^th century’s impact of Liberalism played a dynamic role in Bengal Renaissance which provided a important valuable stage for Bengal which may be summaries as follows : ¹⁵
1.     The Bengal Renaissance marked the turning point not only in Bengal but also in India as a whole because the impact of the Bengal Renaissance culminated in to Indian Renaissance. The Renaissance marked the advent for the first time in India of the Western concepts of Liberalism, Rationalism, Democracy, Secularism and Humanism. These ideas were the associated products of element of Westernism in the Renaissance according to Susobhan Sarkar. On the other hand the latter emphasised the equal importance of traditionalism conservative and spiritualism in Indian culture which according to Susobhan Sarkar were the associated products of the element or Orientalism. This inter – penetration between these two factors shaped and modelled according to him the origin, character and impact of the Renaissance. This was a process of interaction between the two in Indian history which by way of application of the Western concepts of Liberalism, Utilitarianism, Rationalism, Democracy, Secularism and Humanism on India heralded the advent of a new age. The introduction of English education created an enlightened educated middle class which played the main role of adopting conservative India to the modernism of the West. On the basis of the Western ideas mentioned above.
2.     This process of change was further consolidated by applying science and technology to India’s progress and modernisation by these intellectual stalwarts. Among these fine brand of the Indian intelligentsia the most important pioneer personage was Rammohun Roy, who was the father of the Bengal Renaissance or the Indian Renaissance became the catalyst of these process of transformation and modernisation in India. Raja Rammohun Roy was the pioneer of this new age, wanted to reap the main benefits of the Renaissance for India’s modernisation. He realised that for this modernisation religious and social transformation were the primary and the most important steps which necessitated pragmatic and utilitarian reforms viz; social reforms, religious reforms.
Against these background Rammohun Roy established the Brahmo Samaj of India on 20^th August 1828. But the picture will be incomplete in scrutinizing the origin of the Brahmo Move -ment, if do not mention the influence of two important Western ideologies.
3.     Unitarianism : The western concept of Unitarianism of the Christian Missionaries highlighted the importance on western emancipation as one of the items in his agenda for which social reform was necessary. Rammohun Roy was influenced by his Unitarian friend William Adams, under whose influence and advice he formed the Brahmo Samaj as a Unitarian society. According to David Kopf it was estimating the importance of Rammohun’s application of the Unitarian principle for socio- religious reforms in India,describe Rammohun as a Christ of the Bengal Renaissance.
Thus it can be noted that the Christian Unitarian Movement was also an important factor which influence Rammohun to establish the Brahmo Samaj for the fulfilment of his social and religious dreams, particularly Rammohun in this respect found two important common points between Unitarianism and his own ideas.¹⁶ 
Religious Agreement
Monotheism in which both Rammohun and the Unitarian believed.
Social Reform
Emancipation of the depressed classes particularly the women who were living in Medieval Bengal (India) in an oppressive and wretched condition.
Circumstances leading to the formation of Brahmo Samaj
The pioneer of Bengal Renaissance Raja Rammohun Roy established Atmiya Sabha in 1814 – 15, when he came to settle in Calcutta. The Atmiya Sabha was an intellectual organisation. It’s main purpose was academic programme i.e freedom of speech, expression, open mindedness against superstition.¹⁷ In Rammohun’s Atmiya Sabha, a visible thing can be notable that the sabha played the role of forerunner or predecease of Brahmo Samaj because they prepare the way for intellectual advantage. In 1828 he formed Brahmo Sabha which has remain as Brahmo Samaj under the leadership of Rammohun Roy. It was a very important Period, because Lord William Bentinck became the Governor General of India at that time who was very much conscious on administration. Rammohun realise the futility (useless) of opposition to the British rule because the British were the rulers, so there was no question of revolt. According to Rammohun Indians were not mature, not experience so in administrative purpose, therefore it was better to avoid any confrontation with the British. So, co – operation, adjustment was need.¹⁸ Rammohun also adopted a policy of constitutional agitation. Thus for the freedom of press, he wrote memorials, petitions, memorandums to Supreme Court, Privy Council and Home Government. He was a great champion of Satidaha for which he take the help of the British Government (Parliament). So, there was statutory abolition of Satidaha in 1829 with the help of Bentinck. Rammohun’s Brahmo Samaj was a champion of social justice, it belief in national interest not in foreign interest Rammohun Roy was a strategist who use the British to fulfil Indian demands. He actually followed a policy of pragmatism (realist).¹⁹ He wanted to apply reason. His character influence the character of Brahmo Samaj i.e pragmatic, rational, secular, democratic and human character because he wanted to serve the humanity.
Activities ofthe Brahmo Samaj Rammohun’s policy as visible during this period which can be categories as the policy of the Samaj These categories may be called the aspects of the Samaj, which were as follows: ²⁰
Educational
Rammohun came to India at a time of a great intellectual controversy (Anglicist vs Orienalist). this was the background of Rammohun’s education policy. Anglicist were more conscious of the prevailing condition of the society because of racial arrogance and superiority wanted Anglician of Indian culture, because of which they pay exclusive importance to western learning, science and technology and totally rejected the need of eternal learning. On the ground of the absence of any record of great achievements of cultural heritage of India in the past. This was challenged by Orientalist under the leadership of Sir William Jones who did not oppose the great necessity of Western Knowledge and learning but at the same time he and his other fellow Orientalist like H.H. Wilson espoused the great necessity of Oriental knowledge and learning and it was justified according to them because of rich traditional cultural heritage of India in the Vedic Age. Rammohun was neither an Anglicist nor an Orientalist, his policy was one of synthesis through  which he wanted to fulfil India’s requirements of both Western and Oriental learning. His Brahmo Samaj was a broad platform for realising this goal.
Social
Social reform programme of the Brahmo Samaj under the leadership of Rammohun. Rammohun was a strong champion of social justice. The Brahmo Samaj was founded on the ideas of Unitarian society whose programmes included emancipation of women and improvement in the condition of the depressed classes. In Rammohun’s social reform the women came very first. They were also depressed touched or forced to die as sati, before the advent of the British, his policy of remedy of justice. 
Social Reform
Emancipation of women, it covers the following aspects-
1.     Female education ;
2.     Abolition of the system of satidaha ;
3.     Abolition of polygamy;
4.     Recognition of women right to property;
5.     Abolition of child marriage ;
6.     Widow re-marriage question.
Rammohun realised the necessity of self–awareness and spirit of independence of the women folk. He wanted the women to assert themselves in the phase of all restrictions oppositions and persecutions on the levels of the family and the society. For this, the only or the most important factor necessary was their enlightenment through education.²¹ Hence he strongly champion the cause of female education and personally as well as officially made his up most effort for this end.
Rammohun was criticized by his opponents that he did not take up the matter seriously at first because he took much time to move the government on this issue through public pressure. But this allegation is not true. Because at first Rammohun wanted to leave the matter to the people without approaching the Government for the help in this sensitive social customs connected with religion ----- he expected that the people themselves would respond to it. But when this expectation was not fulfilled, he must compel to seek Government intervention for the abolition of satidaha and he was successful in its abolition in 1829 with the help of Governor - General William Bentinck.²² Rammohun from his very early life was oppose to the conventional religious system, mainly dominated by the Brahmanas or the priest class who took their decision on the basis of the caste system. The orthodox religious rituals and ceremonies and their own interpretation of the sastras. As a result it was mainly motivated to serve the interest of the priest class and ultimately this de – generated in to a despotism of the priest craft.²³ They dominated the society by connecting it with the religion which was under their absolute control. He was very much dis- satisfied with this religious system in the latter to Jhon Digby, he expressed his satisfaction by pointing out that ‘ the present system of religion is not conducive to the interest of the people ’. In this famous writing ‘ The Abridgement of the Vedanta’, he strongly condemned the despotism of the priest craft, as the main evil or the root cause of the social decadence and religious anarchism.²⁴ In a Bengali translation of the Abridgement of Vedanta,   ‘ Vedanta Sar’, he expressed the same strong protest, but this time for reaching the common people, most of whom had no knowledge of English or Sanskrit.
Lastly need to mention Rammohun’s fundamental principles in the religious policy:²⁵
1.       Monotheism: Rammohun believe in one supreme, universal, Omnicom pit, spirit of guide, spirit of guid the universe or to state the guidelines for Indian religion;
2.       Abolition of excessive religious and ritual ceremonies;
3.       Religious toleration and catholicity.
In this respect Rammohun had an eclectic views of religion i.e he wanted a synthesis of different religions and out of that formation of one common religious faith. His religious policy was secular, rational and human, very much inter- connected with an independent on the Indian society, his ides about which have already been discussed. 

1. Kelly Paul - ‘Liberalism’ , Polity Press , 2004 , U.K. , p, 45. 2. Ibid.,p,49 . 3. Mill Jhon Stuart–‘OnLiberty&Utilitarianism’,Bantam Classic,NewYork 1993,p,21. 4. Ibid. ,p, 162. 5. Paul Ellen Franklin , Fred Miller Jr. and Jeffery Paul (ed.) – ‘ Liberalism Old and New’ , Vol. – 24 , Part – I , Cambridge University Press , 6. Ibid . 7.George Sher(ed.)-‘Utilitarianism’,HackettPublishing Company, 2001,U.S.A,pp,1- 6 8. Paul Ellen Franklin , Fred Miller Jr and Jeffery Paul (ed.) – op.cit , p, 98. 9. Ibid.,p,99. 10. Ibid. 11. Ibid., p, 112. 12. Ibid., p,115. 13. Hampton E Jean – ‘ Political Philosophy : Dimensions of Philosophy ’ , West view Press Inc,1996, U.S.A, pp, 1 – 9. 14. Laski Harold J – ‘ The Rise of European Liberalism : An essay in Interpretation’ , Aakar Books , 2005 , Delhi, p, 8. 15. Ibid. 16. Ibid.,p,23. 17. Kopf David – ‘The Brahmo Samaj and the shaping of the modern Indian Mind’ , Princeton University Press , 2015 , USA , p ,9 . 18.Ibid. p, 12. 19.Ibid.,p, 16. 20. Loc.cit.,p, 18.