Religious Reform Movements: Bhakti and Sufi

Communal Accords and Division

Religious Reform Movements

• Bhakti Movement:
  • Emerged in the 6th century CE in India
  • Focused on devotion to a personal deity, rejecting ritualism and caste hierarchy
  • Influential saints: Ramanuja, Tukaram, and Mirabai
• Sufi Movement:
  • Emerged in the 8th century CE in Middle East and South Asia
  • Focused on mystical love, spiritual growth, and social service
  • Influential Sufi saints: Moinuddin Chishti, Baba Farid, and Nizamuddin Auliya
• Brahmo Samaj:
  • Founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in Bengal
  • Aimed to reform Hinduism, reject idolatry, and promote social reform
  • Influential leaders: Debendranath Tagore and Keshub Chandra Sen

Social Reform Efforts

• Caste System Reform:
  • Efforts to abolish or reform the caste system, particularly in India
  • Reformers like Jyotirao Phule and B.R. Ambedkar fought for social equality and education for all
• Women's Emancipation:
  • Efforts to improve women's rights, education, and social status
  • Pioneers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Pandita Ramabai worked for women's empowerment
• Education and Social Service:
  • Establishment of schools, hospitals, and other institutions to promote social welfare
  • Organizations like the Brahmo Samaj and the Arya Samaj worked for education and social reform

Religious Reform Movements

• Bhakti Movement:
  • Emerged in 6th century CE in India
  • Focused on devotion to a personal deity, rejecting ritualism and caste hierarchy
  • Influential saints: Ramanuja, Tukaram, and Mirabai
• Sufi Movement:
  • Emerged in 8th century CE in Middle East and South Asia
  • Focused on mystical love, spiritual growth, and social service
  • Influential Sufi saints: Moinuddin Chishti, Baba Farid, and Nizamuddin Auliya
• Brahmo Samaj:
  • Founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in Bengal
  • Aimed to reform Hinduism, reject idolatry, and promote social reform
  • Influential leaders: Debendranath Tagore and Keshub Chandra Sen

Social Reform Efforts

Caste System Reform

• Efforts to abolish or reform the caste system, particularly in India
• Reformers like Jyotirao Phule and B.R.Ambedkar fought for social equality and education for all

Women's Emancipation

• Efforts to improve women's rights, education, and social status
• Pioneers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Pandita Ramabai worked for women's empowerment

Education and Social Service

• Establishment of schools, hospitals, and other institutions to promote social welfare
• Organizations like the Brahmo Samaj and the Arya Samaj worked for education and social reform

British Colonial Rule In India

• The Indian Council Act of 1861 was a significant milestone in the British colonial rule in India.
• The British East India Company was abolished after the Indian Rebellion of 1857, leading to the British Crown taking direct control of India, marking the beginning of the British Raj.

Indian Legislative Council

• The Indian Council Act of 1861 established the Indian Legislative Council, the first legislative body in British India.
• The Council consisted of the Viceroy of India as the ex-officio president and 6-12 members appointed by the Viceroy, including Indian princes, nobles, and British officials.
• The primary function of the Council was to advise the Viceroy on legislative matters and enact laws for the governance of India.
• The Council had limited powers and was largely advisory in nature, with the Viceroy holding significant authority.
• The Indian Council Act of 1861 marked the beginning of a gradual process of Indian involvement in the governance of India, although it was still largely dominated by the British.