A beautiful example of a handwritten letter by Raja Rammohun Roy (1772-1833), prominent Indian social reformer and Father of Indian Renaissance.
He remains as the torchbearer of the Bengal social and religious reform movement during the British colonial rule, having played critical roles in stopping the “Sati” practice or cruel Brahmin ritual of burning the Hindu widow upon the husband’s death. The letter is dated March 7th, 1832, and sent from his residence at 48 Bedford Square in London. Rammohun Roy came to London in April 1831 and stayed with his host, Joseph Hare at the above-mentioned address, arranged by his Calcutta-friend David Hare. Joseph’s brother, David Hare, was a watchmaker and philanthropist who had business interests in Calcutta and was the founder of the Hare school, one of the oldest schools in Calcutta, and the famed Hindu College, better known as the Presidency College. In September of 1833 on a visit to Bristol, Roy died of a sudden illness. Joseph Hare lived at no. 48 Bedford Square from 1824 until about 1841.
Written in two pages in Rammohun’s hand, this letter in 8vo was sent to an unknown recipient and is a polite declination of a dinner invitation with noted German scholar and orientalist, August Wilhelm Schlegel (1812-1845). Rammohun Roy thanks the recipient of the letter for his kind remembrance of him and explains his earnest regret of denying himself the pleasure of their esteemed company. A rare, collector’s item.
