of the Rig Veda in the Tattwabodhini magazine, which was published in a library called Brahmodharma (1869). In 1850, another of his books, Atmattvavidya, was published. In 1853, he was appointed secretary of the Tattwabodhini Sabha and in 1859 established the Brahma Vidyalaya. Debendranath stopped the puja-parvanadi and introduced festivals like 'Magh Utsav', 'New Year', 'Diksha Din' etc. In 1867, he bought a large piece of land called Bhubandanga in Birbhum and established an ashram. This ashram is today's famous Santiniketan. He was also one of the founders of the Bethune Society of the Hindu Charitable Institution. Debendranath was actively involved in politics for some time. When the British Indian Association was established on 31 October 1851, he was appointed its secretary. He tried his best to waive the chowkidari tax of the poor villagers and sent a letter to the British Parliament demanding India's autonomy. Debendranath was enthusiastic about the practice of widow marriage, but was opposed to child marriage and polygamy. He also made a special contribution to the spread of education. In 1867, Radhakanta Dev conferred on him the title of 'Protector of National Religion' and 'Maharshi' by the Brahmo Samaj to protect the Indian youth from the influence of Christianity. Books Brahma Dharmo Grantho (1851) Atmatatto Bdya (1852) Brahma Dharmer Mot O Biswas (1860) Kalikata Bramha Samajer Baktrita (1862) Gyan O Dharmer Unnati (1893) Porolo O Mukti (1895) References External links Debendranath Tagore at Encyclopædia Britannica Debendranath Tagore at Banglapedia 1817 births 1905 deaths Bengali Hindus 20th-century Bengalis 19th-century Bengalis Bengali writers 19th-century Hindu philosophers and theologians Brahmos Bengali zamindars Founders of new religious movements Indian social reformers Indian social workers 19th-century Indian philosophers Indian reformers Hindu revivalists Indian theologians Indian autobiographers People associated with Santiniketan Debendranath Social workers from West Bengal Indian male writers Indian non-fiction writers 19th-century Indian writers 19th-century Indian male writers 19th-century Indian non-fiction writers Indian spiritual writers Indian religious writers Indian scholars 19th-century Indian scholars