Brahmo Samaj (Bengali: ব্রাহ্ম সমাজ, romanized: Brahmô Sômaj [bram.ho ʃɔ.mad͡ʒ]) is the societal component of Brahmoism, which began as a monotheistic reformist movement during the Bengal Renaissance.
It was one of the most influential religious movements in India and made a significant contribution to the making of modern India. It was started at Calcutta on 20 August 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Dwarkanath Tagore as reformation of the prevailing customs of the time (specifically Kulin practices) and began the Bengal Renaissance of the 19th century pioneering all religious, social and educational advance of the Bengali community in the 19th century. Its Trust Deed was made in 1830 formalizing its inception and it was duly and publicly inaugurated in January 1830 by the consecration of the first house of prayer, now known as the Adi Brahmo Samaj. From the Brahmo Samaj springs Brahmoism, the most recent of legally recognized religions in India and Bangladesh, reflecting its foundation on reformed spiritual Hinduism with vital elements of Christian-Islamic faith and practice.
