Women in 19th Century India

A practice in which a Hindu widow would immolate herself on her deceased husband's funeral pyre, considered a mark of virtue.

A prominent social reformer who advocated for the rights of the lower castes in 19th-century India. He argued that the land belonged to indigenous people who were often classified as lower castes.

Restriction on education for women, especially widows, who faced limited opportunities in 19th-century India.

A prominent figure in India's social reform, founded the Brahmo Samaj, advocated for women's rights and education, and campaigned against Sati.

A religious leader who worked among low-caste 'chandal' cultivators in eastern Bengal. His teachings challenged Brahmanical texts that supported the caste system.

A powerful leader who led the Dalit movement in South India. He was a strong advocate for equal rights for Dalits and fiercely challenged caste discrimination.

A Hindu reform movement, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, that aimed to promote Western education and equality, particularly for women.

A political party formed in Madras City (present-day Chennai) in 1916 by Non-Brahmin leaders. This party later evolved into a nationwide movement advocating for the rights of Non-Brahmin communities.

Legalized in India in 1875, it allowed widows to remarry, contributing to the improvement of their societal status.

A Hindu reform organization founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, which supported girls' education and advocated for social reform.

A prominent figure in the Self-Respect Movement, advocating for self-respect and equality for Non-Brahmin communities. He challenged Brahmanical dominance and campaigned for societal reforms.

A prominent social reformer who advocated for women's rights, started schools for girls in Maharashtra, and challenged caste discrimination.

A scholar who wrote about the difficulties faced by upper-caste Hindu women, emphasizing the need for social change.

This movement, led by Gidas in central India, challenged the existing caste hierarchy and advocated for social equality.

A prominent leader from the Ava caste in Kerala, Shri Narayan Guru promoted the concept of equality for all humans, rejecting the caste system.

Christian missionaries played a significant role in educating tribal communities and lower castes in India, establishing schools to promote literacy and upliftment.

The British administration in India, while contributing to societal inequalities in many ways, also played a role in legal reforms such as abolishing Sati and promoting widow remarriage, impacting social norms.

A practice where a Hindu widow immolated herself on her husband's funeral pyre, often praised as a sign of virtue.

A social reform movement founded by Raja Rammohan Roy advocating for Western education, women's rights, and opposing Sati.

A prominent social reformer who fought against caste discrimination, advocating for the rights of the lower castes and establishing schools for girls.

A book by Jyotirao Phule criticizing the exploitation of the lower castes, which drew parallels with the abolishment of slavery in the US.

A movement that aimed to abolish the caste system and promote equality across all castes, founded in 1840.

A movement that aimed to challenge Brahmin dominance and advocate for the rights of non-Brahmin communities.

A prominent advocate for the Dalit community, who faced discrimination and led movements to challenge caste prejudices.

A political party formed in 1916, providing a platform for non-Brahmin communities, Muslims, and Christians, advocating for their rights.

A group founded in 1840, seeking to abolish the caste system and promote equality across all castes. It aimed for a unified society without caste-based differences.

A religious leader who worked among low-caste 'chandal' cultivators in eastern Bengal. His teachings challenged Brahmanical texts that discriminated against lower castes.

A fearless critic of conservative ideas, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hussain argued for equal rights for women across all religions. She also paved the way for female education by establishing schools for Muslim girls.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a prominent reformer who advocated for widow remarriage. He challenged the social norms that prevented widows from remarrying. This was a major step towards empowering widows.

A prominent Sanskrit scholar, Pandita Ramabai documented the plight of upper-class Hindu women. She founded a widow's home to support widows facing mistreatment by their families.

A social reform movement founded in the 19th century by Jyotiba Phule, it aimed to promote equality and challenge the dominance of the upper castes. The movement encouraged unity among lower caste groups and worked to improve their social status.

A key leader of the Non-Brahman Movement in South India, often called 'Periyar', E.V. Ramasamy Naicker was a prominent social reformer who advocated for the rights of Non-Brahmin communities and challenged the dominance of Brahmins. He started a social reform movement in Virudhunagar, Kerala and supported the Harijan movement aligned with Mahatma Gandhi's principles.

This book, written by Jyotiba Phule in 1873, drew parallels between the caste system in India and slavery in America. It highlighted the exploitation and oppression faced by lower castes and urged them to fight for their freedom.

Led primarily by Jyotiba Phule, the Non-Brahman Movement originated in Maharashtra. It aimed to oppose the dominance of the Brahmins in society and to advocate for the rights of non-Brahmin communities. It was a significant movement that challenged the existing social order and sought equality for all.

The Non-Brahman Movement in South India was also known as the Self-Respect Movement. This movement became politically organized in Madras City in 1916, forming the Justice Party. The Justice Party included representatives from various communities, including Muslims, Christians, and Shudras, and worked towards achieving equality and self-respect for all.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent leader born into a Mahar family, played a pivotal role in leading the Temple Entry Movement which challenged the caste restrictions surrounding access to temples. He led three such movements between 1927 and 1935, highlighting the power of caste prejudices in society.

During the 19th century, many lower caste individuals migrated to cities to escape the oppressive control of upper caste landowners in villages. This migration was driven by poverty and the search for work opportunities in urban areas. It led to new demands for labor in sectors like construction and sanitation.