Page:Bengal Celebrities.djvu/20

Rh resolutely stood against reforms in social and legal matters. Thus at the head of the Hindus he opposed the movements for the abolition of the suttee rite started by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, for the suppression of polygamy started by Pundit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, and the law which removed the disabilities of native Christian converts to succeed to their Hindu parents.

In politics Radhakanta was not idle. He protested against the resumption of Lakheraj lands in common with the majority of his countrymen; and he was the President of the British Indian Association from 1851 till his death.

Though he strenuously opposed the Government on several occasions, his purity of purpose and utility of public works were recognised by the Government, and he was made an Honorary Magistrate and Justice of the Peace for Calcutta in 1855, and a Raja Bahadur. He was the first Bengali gentleman who was honoured with the title of

Several years before his death he withdrew from public life and retired to Brindaban, a place of pilgrimage among the Hindus, in order to devote himself to spiritual attain, where, full of years and honours, he expired on the 19th April, 1867.