Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

19th-century Bengali polymath who revolutionized Indian education and women's rights through linguistic reform and social activism

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891) was a Bengali polymath whose contributions spanned linguistics, education, and social reform. As a linguist, he simplified Bengali script through his 1919 textbook Barnaparichay, making education accessible to the masses. He reformed the University of Calcutta's system to admit non-Brahmin students, establishing India's first open admissions policy.

His most impactful work was championing women's rights: he fought to abolish child marriage, campaigned for widow remarriage, and established girls' schools. His 1855 book Satyadharma Samvad argued for women's rights using Hindu scriptures, leading to the 1856 Widow Remarriage Act. Despite opposition from orthodox groups, he educated over 30,000 girls through his schools.

Vidyasagar's legacy endures through institutions like the Vidyasagar Schools. Key resources include Wikipedia and academic analyses like this journal article. His statue in Kolkata remains a symbol of progressive values.