Vidyasagar

One of the foremost icons of Bengali society, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar has remained a central figure of debate—at times for his role in social reform, at others within the political sphere—and while neither classical nor modern philosophies can contain him within a single, unquestioned mould, he continues to shape and command Bengali sensibilities even today. This edited volume offers a multidimensional assessment of Vidyasagar’s contributions within the Bengali socio-economic context, examining his roles as a social reformer, educationist, publisher, and as a human being, and is further enriched by discussions of the sharp critiques and reassessments of Vidyasagar that emerged during the Bengali “renaissance” debates of the 1970s. The collection urges a renewed engagement with his contributions, relevance, and limitations.