Explanation: Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar were two significant figures in the Indian social reform movement of the 19th century. Their contributions were pivotal in shaping the socio-religious landscape of India during a period of intense change and reform.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833) was a pioneer in the Bengal Renaissance and is often referred to as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance." He was a key figure in the Brahmo Samaj, a religious and social reform movement that sought to reform Hinduism by eliminating practices such as idolatry and the caste system. One of his notable works is "Gift to Monotheists," which was a critique of polytheism and a defense of monotheism. Roy also translated the Vedas and the five Upanishads into Bengali, making these ancient texts more accessible to the common people. This translation work was part of his broader effort to promote education and religious reform.
Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar (1820-1891) was a renowned Bengali polymath, philosopher, academician, writer, translator, printer, publisher, entrepreneur, and social reformer. He is best known for his efforts in women's education and for his role in the Bengali renaissance. Vidyasagar was instrumental in the reform of the Bengali alphabet and the simplification of the Bengali language. He also worked towards the abolition of the practice of sati (the immolation of widows on their husband's funeral pyre) and advocated for the remarriage of widows. However, the statement that he gave the mantra "Go back to Vedas" is incorrect. This mantra is more commonly associated with other reformers like Swami Dayanand Saraswati, who founded the Arya Samaj and promoted the return to the Vedas as the primary source of Hinduism.
In summary, Raja Ram Mohan Roy's contributions to religious reform and education, including his writings and translations, are accurately described in Statement I. Statement II, however, incorrectly attributes a specific mantra to Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, which is not historically accurate. Therefore, the correct answer is that Statement I is true and Statement II is false.