He was born in the Hugli District of Bengal in a Hindu family. He is known as the ‘Father of Modern India’ or ‘Father of the Bengal Renaissance’. He tried to change social customs which do not align with the present time. He demanded the right of inheritance and property for women.
His major role was the voice against the practice of Sati, polygamy, child marriage, and the degraded state of widows. The practice of Sati abolished in 1889 due to his efforts. He fought against many Hindu beliefs and at the same time propagated Hindu beliefs that are for the benefit of the society. He propagated and supported western thoughts too. He was in support of western education among Indians.
According to Raja Ram Mohan Roy amalgamation of western thoughts, scientific techniques and Indian thoughts can benefit society for the good. He was a clerk in East India Company of British.
In 1803, he published his first book, ‘Tuhfat-ul- Muwahhidin’ or ‘Gift to Monotheists’, in which he argues for monotheism (the concept of single God). He translated Vedas and the five Upnishads to Bengali to prove his conviction that ancient Hindu texts supported monotheism. In 1814, he founded Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta to campaign against idolatry, caste rigidities, meaningless rituals, and other social ills.
He founded Brahmo Samaj just 5 years before he died of Meningitis in England.