Debendranath Tagore Notes for UPSC IAS Prelims & Mains

Debendranath Tagore (Important Personalities of Modern Indian History) was an eminent social reformer and philosopher of 19th century India. He was born on May 15, 1817 AD in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in the prestigious family of Dwarkanath Tagore. Digambari Devi was the name of Debendranath’s mother. In 1839, Debendranath founded the ‘Tattwaranjini Sabha’ with the help of another social reformer Pandit Ram Chandra Vidyabageesh to bring social reforms to society. The ‘Tattwaranjini Sabha’ was later rechristened as the ‘Tattwabodhini Sabha.

In 1859, the ‘Tattwabodhini Sabha’ got merged into the Brahmo Samaj. Debendranath Tagore was immensely inspired by the ideas and philosophy of the Brahmo Samaj. He also launched ‘Tattwabodhini Patrika’ to spread his ideas among people especially the followers of the Brahmo Samaj. It was Debendranath Tagore who largely revived the appeal and influence of the Brahmo Samaj among people as the Brahmo Samaj had lost its popularity at that time, especially after the death of its founder Raja Rammohan Roy in 1833 AD. Debendranath raised his voice against many social evils prevalent in that time society. He dedicated his entire life to the cause of social reforms and the upliftment of society. He passed away on January 19, 1905 AD in Calcutta.

► Debendranath Tagore presented the basic principles and objectives of the Brahmo Samaj in his book ‘Brahmo Dharma’ published in 1850. He laid emphasis on monotheism, rationality and unity and denounced idolatry, caste system and other social evils in this book.

► He became the Secretary of the British Indian Association in 1851 AD.

 ► Being a leading social reformer and philosopher of that time, he earned the title of ‘Maharshi’ among his followers.

Biography of Debendranath Tagore