ABSTRACT
Though Ramananda Chatterjee achieved international fame through his journal, he had humble beginnings. This chapter traces his rise from a comparatively poor conservative Brahmin background in a mofussil town of Bengal to a renowned editor and social activist who rubbed shoulders with the great men. He came under the influence of reformist Brahmos early in life and joined in the teeth of opposition from home. He was independent minded, but that did not lead him to disown his own family despite their disapproval of his ideological leanings. He had the quality of standing firm on his principles but accepting those who disagreed with him. From early in life he paid for his studies and was steeped deeply in patriotism under Brahmo influence so much so that he refused a government scholarship to pursue higher education in England. He was much impressed by Brahmo leader and founder of the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, Shivanath Sastri.
