Iswar ChandraVidyasagar
By Illa Vij

ISWAR CHANDRA VIDYASAGAR was a blend of saintliness and heroism, nobility and selflessness. This great man, a symbol of compassion and knowledge, was born in 1820 in a poor Brahmin family.

As a child, Iswar Chandra was quite mischievous and often landed himself in trouble, yet, the school master found him clever and bright. His ability to grasp, retain and apply information was admirable. His father left his village (near Calcutta) and went to Calcutta in search of work. He obtained a job where he earned a salary of Rs 2. When his salary rose to Rs 10, he took Iswar Chandra to Calcutta. The latter studied at Sanskrit College and passed out with brilliant results. Despite poor living conditions, scarcity of food and clothing, Iswar Chandra was determined to do well. He topped the list of candidates, so the title of Vidyasagar (ocean of learning) was conferred upon him. Since then his surname, Banerji, was dropped and he was called by the name Vidyasagar. He even got certificates of high proficiency in various branches of Sanskrit.

Vidyasagar opposed numerous social evils. He strongly opposed the bar on remarriage of child widows. Each time he met a child widow, he felt heart-broken. His opinions and principles were so strong and unbending that even though he held offices under the Government of Bengal, his appointments did not last long. He was vocal and did not hesitate to oppose what he disapproved. The last office he held was the combined office of Principal of Sanskrit College and Inspector of schools. He made a successful endeavour to establish various schools in the districts of Bengal. He brought in order and the much required discipline amongst teachers and students. He led an agitation for the remarriage of Hindu child widows and when the issue was legalised in 1856, he spent money generously to promote the cause.

He lived his life as simply as possible. He wore khadi woven by the women in his family. Later, he began wearing a plain white dhoti and a thick white sheet called toga — it came to be known as the Vidyasagar chaddar. He also opposed the custom of a single man having many wives and the practice of sati. He took up the matter seriously. He found that in Hugli district alone, 197 Kulin Brahmins had 2,288 wives. He took up the cause with the government but nothing was done about it.

Another great contribution of Vidyasagar was in the field of education. He brought a radical change in the Bengali text prescribed in schools. He was a gifted writer and wrote Bengali primers and text books. He even wrote for advanced courses. Vidyasagar introduced the English system of punctuation in Bengali prose. He founded his own press, called the Sanskrit Press. Besides spreading education, the press gave him a good income and he lived comfortably and continued spending generously on charitable works.

After Vidyasagar resigned as Principal of Sanskrit College, he was requested to supervise the functioning of Calcutta Training School, which was later called Metropolitan Institution. For Vidyasagar, there were no untouchables. He treated all alike. He died in 1891 after having lived a life of rich values and giving away much more than he received. Soft-hearted, he relieved misery and suffering wherever he could. He was soft yet bold, born poor but relieved poverty, born a Brahmin but served the so-called untouchables!

More facts

1. Vidyasagar’s only son married a widow.

2. He did not permit any extravagance in his household and used his savings to help widows and orphans in need.

3. When a sweeper living near his house was inflicted with cholera, he gave her homoeopathy treatment. He kept and stayed in her hut till she was out of danger.

4. While working as assistant secretary in Sanskrit College, Vidyasagar once paid a visit to a European Principal of Hindu College. When he entered the college office, the Principal was sitting with his legs on the table, and there was no chair for Vidyasagar. Humiliated, Vidyasagar returned in a state of fury, determined to teach the European a lesson. A few days later, the European Principal visited Vidyasagar regarding some office work. This time Vidyasagar was sitting on the chair with his dusty feet on the table and there was no chair that could be offered to the Principal. Furious, the Principal took up the matter with the higher authorities. When questioned, Vidyasagar said that he himself was a villager, so he had thought that the way he had been received by the European must be the civilised way! The matter had to be dropped.