Previous Year Question

Ram Mohan Roy was given the title of ‘Raja’ by the Mughal Emperor Akbar II.

Akbar II ruled as the Mughal Emperor from 1806 to 1837. It was this Mughal Emperor who conferred the title of ‘Raja’ upon Ram Mohan Roy.

Ram Mohan Roy was one of the major social and religious reformers of the nineteenth century. He established the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, which later developed into the Brahmo Samaj.

In 1830 CE, Akbar II sent Ram Mohan Roy to England as his representative. He was to present matters relating to the Mughal Emperor before the British authorities, particularly issues concerning the Emperor's pension and rights.

In connection with this diplomatic role, Akbar II honoured Ram Mohan Roy with the title of ‘Raja’. He subsequently became widely known as Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

Lord William Bentinck was associated with the period of Ram Mohan Roy's social reforms, particularly the prohibition of Sati in 1829, but Bentinck did not confer the title of ‘Raja’ upon him. Nor was the title given by the followers of the Brahmo Samaj or by intellectuals opposing Sati.

Thus, the person who conferred the title of ‘Raja’ was Mughal Emperor Akbar II.