Brahmo-dharma
Book •
Debendranath Tagore's 'Brahmo-dharma' is a foundational text of the Brāhmo movement, compiling selections from the Upanishads and other sources to articulate a rational, non-idolatrous form of religion for modern Indians.
Written and circulated in Bengali in the 1850s and later translated into English, the text was intended as a guide for spiritual and ethical life aligned with Debendranath's reformist convictions.
The work reflects intensive Sanskrit study undertaken by Tagore as an adult and his project of curating authoritative ancient sources to support contemporary religious reforms.
It served both as an instructional manual for followers and as a public statement countering critiques of Indian religion during the colonial era.
The book is significant for demonstrating how indigenous actors used comparative reading of classical texts to construct modern religious identities.
Written and circulated in Bengali in the 1850s and later translated into English, the text was intended as a guide for spiritual and ethical life aligned with Debendranath's reformist convictions.
The work reflects intensive Sanskrit study undertaken by Tagore as an adult and his project of curating authoritative ancient sources to support contemporary religious reforms.
It served both as an instructional manual for followers and as a public statement countering critiques of Indian religion during the colonial era.
The book is significant for demonstrating how indigenous actors used comparative reading of classical texts to construct modern religious identities.
Mentioned by
Mentioned in 0 episodes
Mentioned by ![undefined]()
Neilesh Bose
Neilesh Bose, "Chips from a Calcutta Workshop: Comparative Religion in Nineteenth Century India" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
