Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the Young Bengal Movement:

1. It was spawned by Henry Vivian Derozio.
2. It was more radical than the Brahmo Samaj Movement.
3. They also took up political and economic questions.

Which of the above is / are correct?
Answer: All of the above
Notes: A radical trend had emerged among the Bengali intellectuals during the late 1820s and 1830s. It was known as the Young Bengal Movement. Its leader was the young Anglo-Indian Henry Vivian Derozio. He taught at Hindu College from 1826 to 1831, when he was removed for his radical thought. So, statement 1 is correct. This movement was more radical than Brahmo Samaj, for they took no care to water down their radically rational thought so as to adjust to the Indian conditions. They did not take shelter in ancient wisdom and scriptures in order to justify their social reforms message. Their demands far exceeded the ones made by Brahmo Samaj e.g. monotheism v/s atheism. Derozio inspired youth to think freely and rationally, to question all authority, to worship only truth, etc. They attacked old customs and they were passionate advocates of women's rights and demanded education for them. Thus, statement 2 is correct. They carried on public agitation on public questions such as the revision of the company's charter, the freedom of press, better treatment of Indian labourers in other British colonies, trial by jury, protection of the riots from oppressive zamindars, etc. So, statement 3 is correct.