The Luminaries of the Indian Renaissance: Polymaths Who Shaped a Nation

The term "Renaissance" is dear to the ears of any Western person because it sends one back to the romanticized and idealized time of the so-called Italian Renaissance. This era is most commonly associated with the cultural movement that swept through Europe from the 14th to the 17th century, marking the transition from the Middle Ages to Modernity, and its breathtaking creations by polymathic giants like Michelangelo Buonarroti and Leonardo da Vinci, Filippo Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti, Donato Bramante, and Albrecht Dürer. "Rebirth" — the very meaning of the word — signifies a resurgence of the classical learning and values of ancient Greece and Rome, a period bursting with developments in art, architecture, politics, science, and literature.

Tracing the Renaissances Across Civilizations

But is it possible that in the whole of human history there was only once a time of 'rebirth'? Hasn't this phenomenon of cultural flourishing and revival of learning after a period of decline been evident across various civilizations and countries?

Consider the Carolingian Renaissance, a beacon of cultural revival under Charlemagne's reign. Or the Macedonian Renaissance, with its cultural efflorescence during the Byzantine Empire's Macedonian dynasty. And what of the Chinese Renaissance during the Song Dynasty, marked by its extraordinary advancements in technology, science, philosophy, and the arts? The Japanese Renaissance, during the Meiji Restoration, manage to so thoroughly modernize and Westernize, transforming Japan into an industrial powerhouse. The Persian Renaissance fostered significant developments in art, literature, philosophy, and architecture under Shah Abbas I.

Each of these Renaissances, while unique in their geographical and cultural contexts, is united by a shared narrative: a revival of ancient knowledge coupled with the emergence of innovative ideas. This fusion has consistently invigorated societies, propelling them into eras marked by unparalleled accomplishments.

And at the helm of these beautiful times, who else but polymaths — those versatile giants of intellect and creativity, leading humanity through ages of enlightenment and progress?

Today, I want to share with you the story of the Indian Renaissance. It's remarkable because it served as the foundation for India's legendary anti-colonial struggle, yet it remains little known.

Awakening of a Subjugated Nation

The Indian subcontinent began the 19th century dominated by the British East India company, and ended it a vassal state under the British Raj. One of the most powerful reactions to this gradual colonial invasion was the growth of national awareness, labeled as the Indian Renaissance. In modern India's history, this period (from the late 18th century to the early 20th century) is described as the pre-political stage of the anticolonial struggle. This is when Indians were engaged in cultural and social preparation for participation in a more radical and progressive political program. These processes resulted in the creation, representation, and interpretation of humanism along three lines: as an appeal to their ancient heritage, as the revival of a long-dead culture, and an attempt to synthesize Indian heritage with the achievements of Western civilization. These ideas sparked a surge of creativity that led to the creation of great masters in literature, architecture, painting, sculpture, music, and science.

If we compare this movement to similar ages of discovery such as the Italian Renaissance or the Islamic Golden Age (also called the Islamic Renaissance), what would we expect to see? An increased number of polymaths, of course! There were indeed many, and we will review just the most significant ones.

The Polymaths: Beacons of Progress

In the heart of this cultural revival were the polymaths, individuals whose expertise spanned multiple fields of study. They were the torchbearers who illuminated the path to a modern India, blending the rich heritage of the past with the scientific and intellectual advancements of the West. But who were these remarkable individuals, and how did they contribute to the Indian Renaissance?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy: The Father of Modern India

Imagine a man fluent in several languages, who challenged the status quo and sparked a social and religious reform movement. Ram Mohan Roy, often hailed as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance," was such a figure. He was a great patriot, tax official, scholar, and humanist. He supported the Western concept of reasoning and scientific thought, and tried to apply it in the Indian context, seeking to integrate Western culture with the best features of Indian traditions. Roy’s aristocratic origins entitled him to the title of Raja. He graduated from the highest Muslim school in Patna, and by the age of 15 was fluent in Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit, and had an excellent understanding of Indian Hindu philosophy and Islam. Due to British influence in India, Roy gradually became interested in Western civilization, its history, culture, philosophy, and science. To study them in depth, he learned several other languages including English, Latin, Ancient Greek, and Hebrew. Roy adhered to the idea of one God, interpreting the ancient Upanishad texts in a monotheistic spirit. He used the doctrine of Brahman and the “supreme Absolute” for this purpose, such an interpretation of Hinduism bringing him closer to the monotheistic ideas of Islam and Christianity. In 1828, Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj Society, which, being eclectic and syncretic in nature, combined the ideas of several religions. Roy composed several writings in which he fought against image worship, the caste system, child marriage, general superstition, and widow burning. Thanks to his efforts, widow burning was banned by law in British India in 1829. He was also the first to publish a journal in an Indian language. Interestingly, although he was such a fan of Western progress, at some point he became the first to fight for Indian independence.

Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee: The Scholar and Educator

With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee's contributions to education and law in India were monumental. He was a legendary Bengali educator, jurist, barrister, and the first student to be awarded a dual Master’s degree in Mathematics and Physics by the University of Calcutta. He donated 80,000 books from his personal collection to the city’s National Library.

Jagadish Chandra Bose: A Scientist Ahead of His Time

Jagadish Chandra Bose was not just a scientist but a visionary who traversed the realms of archeology, physics, biology, and even science fiction. He innovated in the field of microwave and radio optics, made significant contributions in botany, and helped to establish experimental science in India. Jagadish Chandra Bose's literary talent shone in "Abyakta" ("The Unexpressed"), earning acclaim from literary critics and luminaries like Aldous Huxley, Romain Rolland, and George Bernard Shaw for its expert portrayal of natural phenomena.

Rabindranath Tagore: The Bard of Bengal

Tagore reshaped not only literature and music but also the very cultural fabric of India. He is often given as an illustrious example of an Indian polymath, being a creative poet, playwright, novelist, musician, theorist, educationist, and painter, all rolled into one. His genius earned him the first Indian Nobel Prize in literature.

Prafulla Chandra Ray: The Chemist Who Connected Past and Present

Prafulla Chandra Ray delved into the annals of ancient Indian chemistry to inspire a modern scientific temperament. He was not only an eminent Bengali chemist, educationist, historian, industrialist, and philanthropist, but also a brilliant researcher, a teacher, an entrepreneur and a firm proponent for India’s freedom from colonial rule. Regarded as the “father of Indian chemistry”, Ray established the first modern Indian research school in chemistry.

Satyendranath Bose: The Quantum Pioneer

The name Bose today resonates in the halls of quantum physics, thanks to Satyendranath Bose. His contributions to the Bose-Einstein Theory revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Bose spent significant time in an extensive variety of subjects, for example, atomic material science, architecture, geography, and natural science. According to a July 2012 New York Times article in which Bose is described as the "Father of the God Particle" the scientist's interests wandered into other fields, including philosophy, literature, and the Indian independence movement.

Bhimrao Ambedkar: The Architect of the Indian Constitution

Bhimrao Ambedkar's journey from an "untouchable" caste to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution is a tale of resilience and brilliance. Ambedkar was a prolific student, earning doctorates in economics from both Columbia University and the London School of Economics, and gaining a reputation as a scholar for his research in law, economics, and political science. He believed that “equality may be a fiction but nonetheless one must accept it as a governing principle.” When parliament was unable to pass his bill to support women and gender equality, he resigned as a cabinet minister. In addition to his political activity, he also spent almost 21 years in comprehensive comparative study of world religions. He published a series of books and articles, and found that Buddhism was the only way by which untouchability could be converted into equality. When he converted to Buddhism in 1956 along with his 850,000 followers, it was the largest simultaneous conversion in history. Ambedkar's political philosophy gave rise to a large number of political parties, publications, and trade unions defending the interests of the untouchables. Babasaheb's personal library, Rajgirh, consisted of more than 50,000 books.

Rahul Sankrityayan: The Quintessential Voyager and Scholar of India

Rahul Sankrityayan was both a polymath and polyglot, who knew nearly 30 languages. A self-taught genius, he started writing during his twenties and his works, totaling well over 100, covered a variety of subjects, including sociology, history, philosophy, Buddhism, Tibetology, lexicography, grammar, textual editing, folklore, science, drama, and politics. Sankrityayan was a great traveler, a man of interesting destiny: he became a Buddhist monk then eventually took up Marxist Socialism and became an Indian nationalist, having been arrested and jailed for three years for creating anti-British writings and speeches. Many of Rahul's personal collections from his multiple trips to Asia and the former Soviet Union were distributed across multiple Universities and Museums.

Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV: The Philosopher King

Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, ruler of Mysore, was called a philosopher-king, and was described as "living the ideal expressed in Plato's Republic”. The 1930 Round Table Conference in London declared that "Mysore was the best-managed state in the world.” Wadiyar was an expert on Hindustani and Carnatic music and an accomplished player of eight musical instruments, including the flute, violin, saxophone piano, mridangam, and nadaswaram. The young king was educated in western studies, Kannada, and Sanskrit, in addition to his study of the principles and methods for revenue administration. He made extensive trips across the state, during which he learned about the country that he would be governing; he was the ruler of the state for 39 years, often referred to as the “Golden era of Mysore.” Mahatma Gandhi called Wadiyar a “Rajashri” or “saintly ruler”, because he helped make Mysore a model modern State. His ideals included the education of women and the promotion of the industrial sector.

Homi Jehangir Bhabha: The Renaissance Man of Nuclear Physics

Homi Bhabha, the father of India’s nuclear program was a man of science and art: a scientist, visionary, and institution builder, but also a painter, botanist, designer of gardens, and a technically competent architect. He obtained a degree in mechanical engineering from Cambridge University, and later received his doctorate in nuclear physics. A gifted scientist, who contributed to the understanding of cosmic rays. In addition, he was a talented administrator who played a key role in the establishment and development of India's atomic energy program. Born to an illustrious family with a long tradition of learning and service to the country, Bhabha was exposed to fine arts, music and painting, which molded his artistic traits. He was an amateur art critic, a very good painter, violin, and piano player, and a classical music and opera enthusiast. Bhabha’s legacy shows him as being a charismatic and compassionate human being, sometimes referred to as the "Leonardo Da Vinci" of modern times.

The Legacy Continues: Polymaths of Post-Independence India

Even after independence, India continued to produce polymaths who contributed to its development. But who are these modern-day polymaths, and how are they shaping the future of India? As we celebrate the known polymaths, countless others remain unrecognized. In a nation of over a billion, there are surely more stories of genius waiting to be told.

The Polymath as a Catalyst for Change

The Indian Renaissance was a period of extraordinary intellectual and cultural growth, driven by the polymaths who dared to dream of a better future. Their legacies continue to inspire generations, reminding us that the pursuit of knowledge knows no bounds. As we reflect on their contributions, we must ask ourselves: How can we foster the spirit of polymathy in today's world to solve the complex challenges we face?