Socio-Religious Reform Movements in India 

1. Background

18th century: Indian society had orthodox practices like sati, child marriage, female infanticide, untouchability, caste rigidity, superstitions. 19th century: British rule brought Western education, liberal ideas, missionaries, and modern science. Reformers tried to revive ancient Indian values + remove social evils. Movements had two trends: Reformist movements → worked for modernization, rationalism, social change. Revivalist movements → glorified past, revival of Hindu/Islamic traditions.

2. Reformist Movements

(A) Brahmo Samaj (1828)

Founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1828), later led by Keshab Chandra Sen. Aims: Monotheism (belief in one God). Opposed idol worship, caste rigidity. Women upliftment: fought against sati, child marriage, supported widow remarriage. Legacy: Intellectual base for later reforms, influenced Bengal Renaissance.

(B) Prarthana Samaj (1867, Bombay)

Founded by Atmaram Pandurang, supported by M.G. Ranade. Aims: Social reform → women’s education, widow remarriage, abolition of caste. Religious reform → prayers, spiritual uplift.

(C) Arya Samaj (1875)

Founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Aims: “Go back to the Vedas” (revival of Vedic purity). Opposed idol worship, caste system, untouchability. Started Shuddhi Movement (re-conversion of Hindus). Promoted women education. Impact: Spread in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh; prepared ground for nationalist thought.

(D) Aligarh Movement (1875)

Founded by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Aims: Modern education for Muslims → established Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (Aligarh). Advocated scientific approach, rejected blind orthodoxy. Impact: Created modern Muslim intelligentsia, though later associated with separatist politics.

(E) Ramakrishna Mission (1897)

Founded by Swami Vivekananda, based on teachings of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. Aims: Practical Vedanta – service to humanity is service to God. Social service: education, health, disaster relief. Impact: Promoted spiritual nationalism, cultural pride.

3. Revivalist Movements

(A) Wahabi Movement (1820s–70s)

Inspired by Abdul Wahab of Arabia, spread in India by Syed Ahmed Barelvi. Aims: Purify Islam, remove innovations, oppose Western influence.

(B) Deoband Movement (1866)

Founded by Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi & Rashid Ahmad Gangohi. Aims: Religious education for Muslims, opposed British rule, but remained non-political initially.

(C) Singh Sabha Movement (1873, Punjab)

Aim: Reform Sikh religion, remove Hindu influences, promote education among Sikhs.

(D) Parsis and Theosophical Society

Parsis: Social reforms, western education (Dadabhai Naoroji, Naoroji Furdonji). Theosophical Society (1875 in USA; 1879 in India) → Annie Besant popularised it in India; revival of Hindu and Buddhist philosophies.

4. Social Reformers (Individual Efforts)

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Widow remarriage, women education. Jyotiba Phule (Satyashodhak Samaj, 1873): Against caste oppression, women education. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (20th century): Upliftment of depressed classes.

5. Impact of Reform Movements

Spread of modern education & rational thinking. Improvement in women’s status (abolition of sati, widow remarriage, education). Challenge to caste system. Foundation for national awakening & Indian Renaissance. Created new leaders who later joined freedom struggle.