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In the 19th century, Indian society was caste-ridden, rigid and decadent. Some people were following certain inhumane practices in the name of religion. Therefore, some felt there was a need to change societal practices and traditions. This need was addressed by forming the socio-religious reform movements. Many social and religious reforms movements were led by pioneers all across the country. The founders of these movements believed in liberty and equality for all. This article will discuss the socio-religious activities and their founders.
Social Religious Reform Movement: Meaning
In the late 19th century, many European and Indian scholars tried to learn and understand India’s history, philosophy, science, religion and literature. This helped reformers in their socio-religious reform movement in 19th century India. Many of these movements aimed to reform the inhumane practices and superstitions followed in the name of popular religion.
A lot of these movements came to be associated with religious beliefs. Hence, they became known as the social and religious reform movement. These movements were not limited to one community. Instead, all the communities in India were a part of these socio-religious movements.
The socio-religious movement worked for several reasons. They tried to abolish many things, including:
- Caste and untouchability
- Purdah System
- Sati
- Child marriage
- Social inequality
- Illiteracy
Kinds Of Socio-Religious Reform Movements
There were two kinds of movements in India in the 19th century. These movements caused changes in the lives of thousands of Indians and impacted people’s lives positively. Here are the two kinds of activities:
- Reformist Movements
Reformist movements responded with the modern era’s changing times and scientific temper. These changes brought an age of reforms to the Indian subcontinent. It brought out positive changes, especially in the lives of women and children in India.
- Revivalist Movements
Revivalist movements are movements that aimed at reviving ancient Indian traditions and thoughts. The people responsible for bringing these changes were that Western thinking and changes ruined the Indian culture and ethos. They believed in reviving old traditions to help people’s social and cultural lives.
Social And Religious Reform Movement In India
Brahmo Samaj And Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Brahmo Samaj was founded in 1828 in Calcutta. This movement was started by pioneer social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy. This was open to all people regardless of their colour, convictions, caste, nationality and religion.
Brahmo Samaj fought against idol worship, polytheism, caste oppression, unnecessary rituals and other social evils. These social evils refer to Sati, polygamy, purdah, and child marriage.
The Brahmo society aimed to help in women’s rights like widow remarriage and education of women. Additionally, it fought against prevailing superstitions among the Hindus.
Arya Samaj And Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 in Bombay. The founder of this society was Swami Dayanand Saraswati. It was one of the most influential social-religious reform movements in North India.
According to Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the Vedas contained all the essential information imparted to humans by God, including the essentials of modern science.
He opposed idolatry, ritual and priesthood in this movement, especially prevalent caste practice and popular Hinduism preached by Brahmins. Swami Dayanand Saraswati was in favour of the study of western science.
Ramakrishna Mission and Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission. It was founded in 1892 in Belur, which is near Calcutta. It was one of the most crucial social-religious reform movements. Swami Vivekananda started this mission to promote the teachings of Guru Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
Swami Vivekananda condemned the caste system, rigid rituals, and superstitions. Instead, he advocated liberty, free thinking and equality among all. Additionally, the Ramakrishna mission focused on the universality of all religions and propagated Vedanta.
Theosophical Society and Annie Besant
A significant social-religious reform movement was the Theosophical society. It played an essential role in the history of modern India’s religion, community, and culture.
The Theosophical Society was founded in 1875 in the United States by Madame H.P. Blavatsky and Col. H.S. Olcott. Its objectives were to promote studies in ancient religion, philosophy and science.
The Theosophical society came to India in 1879 and had its headquarters in Adyar, near Madras. It became influential in 1893 under Annie Beasant. It promoted the study of ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Zoroastrian philosophies.
Additionally, the society promoted the concept of universal brotherhood as written in the Upanishads and Vedas. One thing that the Theosophical community laid stress on was occultism.
Aligarh Movement and Sayyid Ahmed Khan
The Aligarh Movement was started in the 1860s by Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan. This is another socio-religious reform movement aiming at bringing a change.
The Aligarh movement focused on spreading western education among the Muslim masses in India. Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan interpreted the Quran in light of rationalism and science. Additionally, he urged people to have a critical approach and freedom of thought.
The Aligarh movement was responsible for funding ideas and giving the community a common language- Urdu. Additionally, a Muslim press was developed to compile works in Urdu.
Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan wanted women to be educated too. He advocated against the removal of the purdah system and was against polygamy.
Satyashodhak Samaj and Jyotirao Govindrao Phule
The Satyashodhak Samaj was founded in 1873. The founder of this society was Jyotirao Govindrao Phule. He based this social and religious reform movement in Maharashtra.
The movement campaigned against idolatry and the caste system. Additionally, the Satyashodhak Samaj advocated rational thinking and rejected the priesthood.
Deoband Movement
The Deoband Movement was started by Muhammad Qasim Nanawatawi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi. It was started in 1867 in Uttar Pradesh.
The aim of the Deoband Movement was an anti-British movement. It aimed at uplifting the Muslims through education.
Widow Remarriage Association
Vishnu Shashtri Pandit and Mahadev Govind Ranade founded the Widow Remarriage Association. It was founded in 1861 in Bombay.
The movement aimed to promote widow remarriage and campaign against child marriage. Additionally, it was against heavy cost marriages and customs like shaving the widow’s head.
