During the 19th and early 20th centuries, India witnessed major religious and social reform movements. These arose as a response to social evils, orthodox traditions, and the influence of Western education and ideas of rationalism, humanism, and equality. Reformers sought to modernize society while preserving India’s spiritual heritage.
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Causes for Reform Movements
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Impact of Western education and ideas of liberty, equality, and rationalism.
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Christian missionary activities challenged orthodox practices and encouraged social change.
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Social evils like sati, child marriage, polygamy, untouchability, and denial of women’s rights.
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National awakening and a desire to reform Indian society to resist colonial criticism.
Hindu Reform Movements
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Brahmo Samaj (1828): Founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
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Opposed sati, caste system, polygamy, and idol worship.
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Promoted monotheism, women’s education, and widow remarriage.
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Prarthana Samaj (1867): Founded in Bombay by Atmaram Pandurang, influenced by Brahmo Samaj.
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Advocated against caste system, child marriage, and promoted widow remarriage.
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Arya Samaj (1875): Founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
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Slogan: “Back to the Vedas”.
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Opposed idol worship, caste by birth, untouchability.
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Promoted Shuddhi Movement (re-conversion to Hinduism).
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Ramakrishna Mission (1897): Founded by Swami Vivekananda.
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Preached the philosophy of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa – harmony of all religions.
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Emphasized service to humanity (education, health, relief work).
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Islamic Reform Movements
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Aligarh Movement: Led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
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Founded Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (1875) at Aligarh.
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Promoted modern education among Muslims, opposed purdah and polygamy.
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Deoband Movement (1866): Emphasized Islamic learning, moral reforms, and opposed Western influence.
Sikh Reform Movement
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Singh Sabha Movement (1873): Worked for the revival of Sikhism, removal of superstitious practices, and spread of education.
Parsi Reform Movement
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Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (1851): Founded by Dadabhai Naoroji, Naoroji Furdunji, and others.
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Encouraged social reforms, education of women, and opposed orthodoxy.
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Social Reform Movements for Women
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Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Abolition of sati (1829).
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Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Advocated widow remarriage (legalized in 1856) and women’s education.
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Jyotiba Phule: Worked for education of women and upliftment of lower castes.
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Pandita Ramabai: Promoted women’s education and fought against child marriage and ill-treatment of widows.
Reform for Lower Castes and Depressed Classes
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Jyotiba Phule: Started Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) to fight caste discrimination.
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Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Fought against untouchability, promoted education, social justice, and equality.
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Narayan Guru in Kerala worked for caste equality and social reform.
Key Takeaway
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The reform movements combined modern ideas with India’s spiritual traditions.
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Reformers fought against social evils, caste oppression, and gender inequality, while promoting education, rational thinking, and religious tolerance.
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These movements laid the social and cultural foundation for Indian nationalism, inspiring unity and progress in the struggle against colonial rule.