Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born in a village of Murshidabad district in the Indian state of West Bengal. He was born on 22nd May in the year 1772. Ramakanto Roy, an orthodox Brahmin, was his father. His parents were highly devotional towards God. They had immense faith in God and religion in general, and performed all the duties set down by their religion.

Right from his young age, Ram Mohan was devoted to Lord Vishnu. He would not put down the `Bhagavantha` without completing the reading of Valmiki Ramayana. But when he came to know that his mother also was fasting, he had his food for her sake. In his 14th year he was about to become a monk. But his mother came in his way.

Education of Ram Mohan Roy
During the Muslim rule the language used was Persian. Proper knowledge of Persian and Arabic was also very necessary to get employment or to correspond with the government. Ram Mohan also received education in Sanskrit, Bengali, Persian and Arabic in his own village. Though it can be said that Ramakanto was very traditional, but he wanted his son to receive higher education. So for this purpose he had sent him to Patna (now capital of Indian state of Bihar) in his ninth year. As a student Ram Mohan was very intelligent. He learned Persian and Arabic under popular Muslim teachers in Patna. Euclid and Aristotle were two great philosophers who lived in Greece, hundreds of years ago. Ram Mohan read their works in Arabic. By studying their books, Ram Mohan developed the ability to think for himself.

Believers of God that lived in India during that period worshipped pictures and idols of the same, and Ram Mohan wondered over the existence of God in any proper form. He did not believe in idol worship, vehemently opposed them, and festivals at home. On the other hand, his father - who was a very firm believer in idol-worship, felt he was doing wrong. He often advised him. The son did not change his mind. Owing to differences between Ram Mohan and his parents, he left the house.

Sanskrit Education for Ram Mohan Roy
Later on he received his education in Sanskrit language and Sanskrit literature as well. After his marriage, he went to Varanashi and studied the Vedas, the Upanishads and Hindu philosophy deeply. When his father died in 1803 he returned to Murshidabad.