Socio-Religious Reform Movements

Socio-Religious Reform Movements - I

• India experienced the rise of intellectual movements for national regeneration during the 19th century
• These movements focused on making progress in religious, social, cultural, economic, and political aspects
• Movements primarily focused on social and religious

Primacy to social and religious reforms

• 19th-century liberals considered social and religious reformation necessary for the development of the country
• Religious reform was seen as a means to achieve political and economic freedom

Causes of Socio-Religious Reforms

• Western education exposed English-educated Indians to modern Western ideas and the works of Western thinkers.
• Western knowledge enabled educated Indians to analyze their socio-religious conditions
• They found their original religions corrupted by traditions, customs, practices, and superstitions
• They refused to accept norms and began reforming society.
• Western conquest showed the weakness and decay of Indian society
• Some Indians sought and eliminated societal defects
• Western impact was felt first in Bengal, so western-educated Bengalis were the first to push reforms.
• Christian missionaries like Alexander Duff, William Carey, and Wilson used education to spread their religion
• Missionaries presented Christianity as superior and Hinduism as superstitious and cruel
• Missionary actions sparked curiosity among educated Indians, leading them to address societal shortcomings

Evolution of the Reform Movement in 19th Century India

• The reform movement during the early 19th century involved few individuals
• The movement could not pose challenge to advocates of orthodoxy.
• During the second half of the 19th century, Indian society strengthened from nationalist sentiments, spread of education, impact of Western ideas, and awareness of the world
• Consciousness of backwardness and degeneration strengthened the resolve to reform
• Reforming tendency broadened after 1858

Methods of Reform:

• Socio-religious practices were reformed through four major methods
• The 'Reform from Within' method focused on raising awareness within society
• Awareness was pursued by reformers through publishing tracts and organizing debates
• Rammohun's campaign against sati, Vidyasagar's pamphlets on widow marriage, and B.M. Malabari's efforts to increase the age of consent are examples of reform
• Advocates of 'Reform through Legislation', like Keshub Chandra Sen, Mahadev Govind Ranade and Viresalingam, used legislative intervention
• Believed reform needed state support, they appealed to the government for legislative approval
• Realized that the legislation's role as a change instrument was limited because of lacking public sanction
• 'Reform through Symbol of Change', radicals like 'Young Bengal' rejected norms.
• Created 'symbols of change' through non-conformist individual activity
• However, it was limited to Derozians or Young Bengal, who stood for tradition rejection
• Reform through Social Work was practiced by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Arya Samaj, and Ramakrishna Mission with intellectual effort.

Scope of Reforms

• The reform movements of the 19th century were not just religious, but socio-religious
• Leaders recognized the link between religious and social issues
• They tried to use religious ideas to change social institutions and practices
• The major issues covered were emancipation of women, casteism and untouchability, education, idolatry, polytheism, superstitions and exploitation by priests

Reforms in Eastern India (Bengal)

• In Eastern India, Rammohun Roy eradicated social evils
• Derozio, Debendranath Tagore, Vidyasagar, Keshab Chandra Sen continued his work in the 19th century

Raja Rammohun Roy (1772-1833)

• Rammohun Roy was born on May 22, 1772, in Radhanagar, Bengal, in an orthodox Brahmin family
• Roy is viewed as modern India's first great leader
• He was moved by love for his people and country and worked for their social, religious, intellectual, and political regeneration.
• Roy fought injustice and inequality, facing personal hardship
• Roy founded the reforming of Indian society by reforming Hindu religion from within
• Criticisms:
• Criticized idolatry, polytheism, rituals, superstitions, and corrupt priests
• Criticized subjugation of women, polygamy, sati and child marriage
• Opposed blind reliance on the past and rigidity of caste
• Argued for monotheism, sati abolition, scientific approach, modern education and Indian unity
• A linguist knowing a dozen languages, including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, English, French, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew
• Studied Sanskrit and Hindu philosophy at Varanasi
• Studied Quran, Persian, and Arabic literature at Patna
• Studied the Bible, learning Greek and Hebrew
• Carried out a struggle against social evils in Bengal
• Vigorously opposed idol worship, rigidity of caste, meaningless religious rituals and priestly class
• Believed in Advaita philosophy, which rejects caste, idolatry and rituals.
• Believed in monotheism and published the Bengali translation of the Vedas and principal Upanishads to prove it
• Wanted to present the concept of universal religion and admired the Quranic concept of Tauhid and the Bible
• Traveled overseas, breaking the orthodox Hindu belief considered it a sin

Vision for Unity and Political Upliftment

• Religious backwardness and social decadence led to the subjugation of a country so they were essential for political liberation
• One of religious reform's aims was political upliftment
• Roy was one of the first to awaken the consciousness of his fellow countrymen and aimed it at nation-building
• He could unite the divided Indian society by removing corrupt elements from Indian religions and society
• Focused on reasoning and opposed dependence on the past
• He ultimately relied on the power of human reason and wanted acceptance to rational and scientific approach
• One should depart from holy books and traditions if reason demands.

Rational Approach to All Religions

• Roy applied rationalism not only to traditions but also to Christianity, which disappointed many.
• He represented both East and West thought by respecting philosophic systems of the East and believing modern culture vital to regenerate Indian society
• He believed that a new rational India should embrace all that is best in both cultures without imposing Western culture Therefore, Roy proposed that a new India, guided by reason should acquire and treasure all that is best in the East and the West
• He defended Hinduism and opposed its supersession by Christianity, learning was to be an intellectual

Women's Rights

• Roy was a champion of women's rights and condemned polygamy, sati, and child marriage
• He opposed the subjugation of women and linked their problems to property rights
• Roy supported widow remarriage, the right of inheritance to property, and women's education
• Organizations
• In 1815, he established the Atmiya Sabha at Calcutta, for discussions on religious and social problems

Brahmo Samaj

• In 1828, Roy established the Brahma Sabha, later known as the Brahma Samaj
• Its purpose was to rid Hinduism of its evils and to preach monotheism.

Abolition of Sati

• In 1818, Rammohun Roy launched a campaign against the sati practice
• Argued the ancient scriptures did not sanction it and urged people to apply rationality, humanity, and compassion.
• He fought against it on three fronts: Public opinion, convincing officials, and eliminating causes
• Ignorance of women about property rights was the main cause
• Roy pleaded for women's property rights and education
• Roy's agitation bore fruit in 1829 when Lord William Bentinck passed a sati law

Dharma Sabha

• Dharma Sabha led by Raja Radhakanta Deb formed in Calcutta in 1830, opposed abolishing Sati.
• Formed mainly to counter reform movements by Roy and Derozio.
• Filed an appeal in the Privy Council arguing a ban went against guarantees of non-interference in Hindu affairs
• Appeal was rejected.
• Campaigned against the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 however bill was finalised despite opposition
• Published the Bengali newspaper Samachar Chandrika whose editor was the Secretary of the Dharma Sabha.

Modern education

• Roy mastered the English language and learned about political developments and ideas like rationalism and liberation
• His knowledge of English led him to advocate English education
• He helped David Hare establish a Hindu college in 1817
• Roy started an English school in Calcutta in 1817
• In 1825, Roy established Vedanta College, offering courses in Indian learning and Western social and physical sciences
• Roy helped David Hare and Alexander Duff in promoting education.
• David Hare promoted education in India and founded the Hindu College in 1817.
• Alexander Duff introduced education in India through English.
• He arrived in Calcutta in 1830 and helped English civilians with public instructions.
• Founded the General Assembly's Institution in Calcutta in 1830
• This is now the Scottish Church College
• Played role in establishing University of Calcutta and the president of the Bethune Society
• The government resolved to impart education in the English language and promote European science and literature in 1835 due to his work

Public Agitations

• Roy was the initiator of political questions public agitation in India condemned oppressive Bengal zamindars practices and demanded maximum fixed rents.
• Demanded:
• Abolition of the Company's trading rights
• Indianization of services
• Indian goods removal of export duties
• Separation of the executive and the judiciary
• Trial by jury and judicial equality

Industrialisation and Internationalism

• Roy wanted modern capitalism and industry in India.
• Believed in internationalism and cooperation between nations.
• Supported freedom, democracy, and nationalism and opposed injustice and tyranny.
• He condemned the conditions of Ireland under English landlordism.
• He compiled a Bengali grammar and translated pamphlets journals helped a modern prose style

Books

• Tuhfat-ul Muwahhiddin was Roy's first book, written in Persian (1803)
• Gift to Monotheists was Roy's wrote in Persian for worshipping a single God (1809)
• Roy's book, Percept of Jesus, distinguished the moral message of the New Testament from miracle stories (1820)
• translated Vedas and five Upanishads into Bengali to preach monotheism

Journals

• Roy pioneered Indian journalism and published journals in Bengali, Persian, Hindi, and English
• Spread awareness and represent grievances
• Rammohun started Sambad Kaumudi, a Bangla newspaper, in 1821 to spread his reformist and liberal views.
• As proficiency in Persian, Roy started Mirat-ul-Akhbar, a Persian newspaper, in 1822.

Protest Against Restrictions on Press Freedom

• Articles in Roy's Mirat-ul-Akhbar angered the British, so John Adams issued publication restrictions in 1823
• His protest against it was rejected, so he ceased publishing it.

Associates and Successors

• Dwarkanath Tagore was one of his famous associates
• Prasanna Kumar Tagore and Tarachand Chakravarti were also prominent
• Dwarkanath Tagore the scion of the Tagore Family, was one of the first Bengali entrepreneurs
• He founded commercial ventures, including banking, insurance, and shipping, and purchased first Indian coal mine in Raniganj
• became first Indian bank director and founded the Union Bank of Calcutta in 1829

Diplomatic Mission to England

• Roy left for England in 1830 to represent the grievances of Mughal Emperor Akbar II.
• Akbar II gave Roy the title of Raja
• In 1833, Roy died in Bristol.
• Rembrandt Peale painted Roy.

Brahmo Samaj

• August 20, 1828, Rammohun Roy founded the Brahma Sabha, or Brahmo Samaj
• Based on reasoning and the Vedas and Upanishads.
• attempted humanism, monotheism, and reform, but rejected the infallibility of the Vedas.
• relied on reason as the criterion for religious values
• Debendranath Tagore took over the movement following Roy's death in 1833
• Founded Tatvabodhini Sabha in 1839 and it promoted Rammohun Roy's ideas and study of India
• The Tatvabodhini Sabha included Vidyasagar and Dutt
• In 1843, Debendranath Tagore joined and reorganised the Brahmo Samaj

Keshab Chandra Sen (1838-1884)

• Keshab Chandra Sen joined the Brahmo Samaj in 1857.
• Emphasized eliminating Hindu customs included caste, child marriage, and polygamy
• Argued for education, remarriage and inter-caste, so differences arose
• Sen advocating abolishing caste, and Debendranath unwilling to hurt sentiment
• Sen formed the Bharatbarsiya Brahma Samaj in 1868
• Debendranath Tagore led the Adi Brahma Samaj, which was reorganized
• He petitioned the Government for Brahmo marriages and caused some misgivings.
• The Native Marriage Act of 1872 secured legality of marriages that were unorthodox

Brahmo Marriages

• Marriages occurred between and women of different castes
• Ideas of Keshab caused misgivings
• Later, Shibchandra Deb, Umesh Chandra Datta, and Ananda Mohan Bose founded the Sadharan Brahma Samaj
• Association was formed in 1870 with Chandra Sen to represent of the Brahmo Samaj and included many
• Sen founded Naba Bidhan in 1881, to preach Hindu philosophy and Christian theology
• The Native Marriage Act of 1872 secular marriage and fixed marriage ages
• It sanctioned liberal reforms but was viewed as state intervention.
• This would affect and limit to those who did declare that they faiths of a particular listed tradition

Young Bengal movement

• Anglo-Indian Henry Vivian Derozio started the Young Bengal movement, which was modern compared to Roy
• Derozio and followers were known as the Derozians
• spread education and attacked old customs, and rights and demanded education
• They carried out public agitation.
• The Derozians failed due to harsh Indian society and failure to acknowledge Indian reality
• 1826 Henry Derozio was teacher at the Hindu he a poet and rationalist influenced by the French beliefs
• He inspired students to think rationally and freely, question authority, love liberty, equality, freedom
• Derozio was removed and died of Cholera by of 22 years

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891)

• Vidyasagar was a great scholar and social reformer with sympathy
• He represented Indian and practices to the world
• He campaigned against polygamy and child marriage and campaigned for widow remarriage and
• He became of the and contributed to education

Reforms at Sanskrit College

• In 1851, he became the of the Sanskrit College.
• He and freed of to the influence
• Used to suggest that could The the the the Calcutta in 1856
• The Widows' Act legalised remarriage in East was by Lord and passed Lord.
• He to Radha counter of to get more

Ramakrishna Mission

• Ramakrishna (1834-1886)
• Paramahansa was an Indian Hindu and the of Kali stressed and particularism

Universalism in religions

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• He to and the to the the of and was the to
• condemned that that was He to the the of
• was that that that

Ramakrishna Mission: Humanism, Charity and Community

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