Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was born on 26 September 1820 in Midnapore, West Bengal. He was born to Thakurdas Bandyopadhyaya and Bhagmati Devi. His parents sent him to local village pathshala in 1825. He love and respect his parents and was greatly influenced by them. He was married at the age of 14 to Dinamani Devi. Soon they were blessed with a son.

Student Days

His quest for knowledge was so intense that he used to study under a street light. He was unable to afford a gas lamp at home. He cleared all the examinations with excellence and in quick succession. As a result, Academic Institutions rewarded him with a number of scholarships for his academic performance. Ishwar Chandra also took a part-time job of teaching to support his family. He joined the Sanskrit College, Calcutta and studied there for 12 years. Ishwar chandra passed out of the college in 1841 qualifying in Sanskrit Grammar, Literature, Dialectics, Vedanta and Astronomy.

Educationist

In 1841, Ishwar Chandra joined Fort William College as head of the Sanskrit department. After 5 years, in 1846, Vidyasagar left Fort William College and joined the Sanskrit College as ‘Assistant Secretary’. In the first year of service, Ishwar Chandra recommended a number of changes to the existing education system. This report resulted in a serious altercation between Ishwar Chandra and College Secretary Rasomoy Dutta. As s result, in 1849, he against the advise of Rasomoy Dutta, resigned from Sanskrit College. Subsequently, he rejoined Fort William College as a head clerk. In 1851, he was made professor in Sanskrit college, where he later served as principal. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar died in Calcutta on 29th April 1891.

Promotion of Education

In 1855, he was special inspector of School for several district. Ishwar established girls school in many district of West Bengal. He enhanced the quality of curriculum of English in school. Above all he made possible for lower caste to attend school and Sanskrit College. Next Ishwar also improved the functioning of Sanskrit college. He was also part of Government Ward Institution and took active role in promotion of science.

Reform

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar fought for the rights of the woman. He favoured widow remarriage and women education. As a result, he was instrumental in getting tougher law against sati and polygamy.

Awards

British Government recognized and awarded for his lifetime of work towards reforming Indian society. In 1864, Royal Asiatic society made him the honorary member of of its society. Next, Queen Victoria awarded Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar the title C.I.E (Companion of the order of the Indian empire) in 1880 for his social work.

Books

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar wrote Betal Panchabingshati (25 Tales of a Goblin) and Sita Banabas (The Exile of Sita). He also wrote book titled Shakuntala, based on play of great Indian writer Kalidas. People today consider his books as works of great importance.

Trivia

He mastered various branches of Sanskrit like Literature, Vedanta, Smriti, Nyaya, Alankar and Jyotish.

Sanskrit college gave him honorary title of Vidyasagar.

The government renamed Metropolitan college in Kolkata to Vidyasagar College.

He is the key figure of the Bengal Renaissance.