Social Reform Movements in 19th and 20th Century India

Social Reform Movements in 19th and 20th Century India

• The caste system, a hierarchical social structure, existed in India since ancient times, creating social inequalities.
• Early 19th century saw a shift in social customs and practices. Books, newspapers, and magazines emerged.
• Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1830, criticizing social evils like sati, child marriage, and idolatry.
• Dayanand Anglo-Vedic schools were established later in the century.
• By the 1880s, Indian women began entering universities and working as teachers and doctors.
• Women were actively involved in reform efforts by writing books, founding schools, and publishing magazines.
• In the 20th century, leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose emphasized education for India's future progress.

The Aligarh Movement

• Sir Syed Ahmed Khan led the Aligarh Movement to educate Indian Muslims.
• The movement established the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (later Aligarh Muslim University) in 1875.
• The movement aimed to protect Islam, persuade Muslims to learn English, and secure a significant role in the country's administration.

The Singh Sabha Movement

• A socio-religious movement within Sikhism, started by a group of Sikh religious leaders.
• The movement sought to eliminate superstitious practices and caste distinctions within Sikhism.
• The Singh Sabha movement aimed to promote Sikh education and practice reform through publications.

Other Reform Movements

• The Brahmo Samaj, founded in 1830 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, emphasized monotheism and challenged various Hindu traditions.
• The Brahmo Samaj criticized the caste system, child marriage, sati, and idol worship.
• The Prarthana Samaj focused on the worship of one God, but also campaigned for reform, aiming for the equality of women and depressed classes.
• Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, a philanthropic organization promoting the ancient Hindu philosophy of Vedanta, established healthcare, disaster relief, and education centers across India

The Non-Brahman Movement

• A movement in South India, rising in the early 20th century as a challenge to Brahmanical dominance.
• Leaders like E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker advocated for the rights of non-Brahmins and untouchables.
• The movement aimed at establishing social equality and challenging the privileged status of the Brahmins within society.

Jyotirao Phule and the Satyashodhak Samaj

• Jyotirao Govindrao Phule was a social reformer and revolutionary from Maharashtra.
• He established the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to promote the rights of the oppressed classes, who were not traditionally privileged.
• Phule's work was against brahmanical religious authority, emphasized equality of castes and challenged upper-class domination.

Women's Role in Social Reform

• Women played a crucial role in the social reform movement, founding schools, writing, and campaigning for improved rights.
• Figures like Savitribai Phule worked tirelessly to improve the lives of women and the lower classes.
• Leaders like Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain and Tarabai Shinde contributed to education, questioning religious norms and challenging gender inequality.

Explore the significant social reform movements that reshaped India during the 19th and 20th centuries. This quiz covers key figures, movements, and their impact on education, women's rights, and caste system reforms. Test your knowledge on leaders like Raja Rammohan Roy and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.