Volume-XI, Issue-VI, November 2025 |
The Social Activities of Guruchand Thakur as Reflected in the Writings of Shrimat BicharanPagal Dr. Pradipta Acharya, Assistant Professor, Dept. of History, Shambhu Nath College, Labpur, Birbhum, West Bengal, India |
Received: 25.11.2025 | Accepted: 27.11.2025 | Published Online: 30.11.2025 | Page No: 80-85 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.11.issue.06W.160 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
This work revisits the significant contributions of BicharanPagal, a pivotal figure in the documentation of the Matua religious and social reform movements, through his book Sri SriHariguruchand Charitra Sudha. Pagal, who authored over eleven books, remains largely underrecognized in academic discourse despite the critical role his writings play in understanding the socio-economic upliftment of the Matua communities led by Sri SriHarichand Thakur and his son, Sri SriGuruchand Thakur. The Sri SriHariguruchand Charitra Sudha, written during the lifetime of Guruchand Thakur, offers an invaluable and contemporaneous account of the Thakurs' efforts in elevating the Matua community, both socially and economically. This book is considered one of the most reliable sources for comprehending the profound impact of Harichand and Guruchand Thakur's leadership on the socio-religious landscape of the Matua community. Despite the lasting influence of their work, there is a lack of scholarly attention on how Pagal’s writings have captured and preserved their legacy. This study seeks to highlight the importance of Pagal’s documentation in understanding the Matua movement’s history, the Thakurs’ social activism, and the enduring legacy of their efforts in shaping the community’s identity and philosophy. Through this reexamination, the study underscores the need for greater scholarly focus on Pagal's contributions, which offer critical insights into the lives and works of Harichand and Guruchand Thakur, central figures in the Matua socio-religious reform. | ||
Keywords: Harichand Thakur, Guruchand Thakur, C.S. Mid, Mahananda Biswas, Matua, BicharanPagal, Mahananda Haldar. |