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Raja Rammohun Roy, a great Hindu reformer and thinker
died of meningitis, on the 27 September 1833, while on a visit to
Bristol. He wrote and spoke many languages, mastered Greek, Hebrew and
Latin and wrote books on grammar, geography and geometry and published
newspapers. He is especially remembered for his campaign to end the custom of "sati", the burning of a widow on her
husband's funeral pyre. His statue was erected between the
Council House and the Central Library, College Green, Bristol to mark
the 50th anniversary of Indian Independence. On his
death, the Raja was buried in the garden of Beech House, where he was
staying whilst a visitor to Bristol. Ten years later, in 1843, his body
was moved to a permanent burial site at Arnos Vale so that the public
might have access to it. The 'chattri' or funeral monument was
built of Bath stone and was designed by William Princep. Its
architectural importance has assured its Grade II* listing. It
remains an important place of pilgrimage for people all over the world
who come to remember the man who has been called, "the father of modern
India". |