Social Reform Movement

India has a rich history of social reform movements that have played a significant role in shaping the country's social fabric. These movements sought to challenge various societal issues, including caste discrimination, gender inequality, child marriage, widowhood practices, untouchability, and other oppressive traditions. Here are some prominent social reform movements in India:

• Indian Renaissance: The Indian Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century. It aimed to modernize Indian society through the promotion of science, education, and rational thinking, while also advocating for the abolition of certain social practices

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833)

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Often called the "Father of the Indian Renaissance," Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a pioneer in the fight against social evils. He campaigned against Sati (the practice of widow immolation), advocated for women's rights, abolition of polygamy, support widow remarriage and promoted education and modern scientific thinking.

He founded many institutions for social reform-

✓ Atmiya Sabha in 1815

✓ Hindu College in 1817 (Support David Hare in establishment of Hindu college)

✓ Vedanta College in 1825 (Course in both Indian learning and western social and physical science)

✓ Calcutta Unitarian Association in 1821

✓ Brahmo Samaj in 1828 emphasizing monotheism and social reform.

✓ Abolition of Sati in 1829

Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902) Swami Vivekananda: Although best known as a spiritual leader and philosopher, Swami Vivekananda was also involved in social reform. He highlighted the importance of education, self-reliance, and humanitarian service to uplift marginalized sections of society.

✓ He established Ramkrishna Mission in 1897 at Kolkata

✓ He introduced Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world and is credited with raising interfaith awareness, bringing Hinduism to the world stage during the late 19th Century

✓The institution did extensive educational and philanthropic work in India.

✓ He also represented India in the first Parliament of Religion held in Chicago (U.S.) in 1893.

✓ On the occasion of his birthday on 12 January is celebrated as National youth day 

Jyotirao Phule (1827-1890)

Jyotirao Phule: Jyotirao Phule was a prominent social reformer from Maharashtra who worked against caste discrimination and the oppression of lower-caste communities

✓ Fight Against Caste Discrimination: Fight Against Discrimination Based on Caste. He has first hand knowledge of the struggles and prejudice that lower caste people must endure. He committed his life to battling caste-based injustices, driven by his experiences and a yearning for social justice

✓ Education for All: Jyotirao Phule had a strong belief in the ability of education to empower both people and entire communities. He and his wife, Savitribai Phule, created schools to promote education for everyone, regardless of caste or gender, and in 1848 they started Pune's first school for females.

✓ Satyashodhak Samaj: In order to advance social equality, justice, and the advancement of lower-caste communities, Jyotirao Phule created the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Seekers of Truth) in 1873.

✓ Publications: Some of his notable works include "Gulamgiri" (Slavery), "Shetkaravacha Aasud" (Advice to Farmers), and "Sarvajanık Satyadharma Pustak" (Book on Public Morals).

Swami Dayanand Sarswati (1824-1883)

Dayananda Saraswati, also referred to as Swami Dayananda Saraswati, was a well-known Arya Samaj founder, social reformer, and leader of the Hindu religion. During the 19th century in India, Dayananda Saraswati was a major proponent of social and religious reform.

Religious Reformer: Dayananda Saraswati criticized various ritualistic practices in Hinduism and stressed to restore the religion to its original Vedic principles. He emphasized the importance of the Vedas as the ultimate authority in Hinduism and called for a return to Vedic teachings. ('Go back to the Veda') Dayananda opposed religious conversions and worked to protect and preserve Hinduism

Arya Samaj: founded in 1875, Bombay, a socio-religious organization with the goal of promoting Vedic principles and social reforms. The Arya Samaj aimed to promote the principles of truthfulness, righteousness, and service to humanity.

Advocacy for Monotheism: Dayananda rejected idol worship and propagated the belief in one formless God (monotheism). He emphasized the idea of a supreme being and denounced the worship of multiple deities and idols.

Opposition to Social Evils: As a social reformer, he campaigned against practices like Sati (widow immolation), child marriage, and caste-based discrimination. He advocated for the education and empowerment of women and worked to abolish child marriage.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a prominent Indian leader and social reformer during the pre-independence era. He born in 1866. Gokhale played a crucial role in India's struggle for freedom and was known for his moderate and constructive approach to political and social issues.

Social Reforms: Gokhale worked for eradicate social issues like child marriage and caste-based

discrimination: He advocated for women's education and supported the cause of widow remarriage.

Moderate Approach: Gokhale was known for his moderate, constructive and cautious political stance. He believed in working within the British colonial framework to secure gradual political reforms for India

Legislative Council: Gokhale was nominated to the Imperial Legislative Council, where he strongly advocated for the interests of the Indian people and pushed for reforms in education, taxation, and civil services.

Gandhi's Mentor: Mahatma Gandhi considered Gopal Krishna Gokhale as his political mentor.Gandhi's book Dharmatama Gokhale

Servants of India Society: He established the Servants of India Society in 1905 for the expansion of Indian education.

Ranade Institute of Economics: Gokhale founded the Ranade Institute of Economics in 1908,

The Hitavada : English weekly newspaper, The Hitavada (The people's paper) started by him

Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, often referred to as Vidyasagar, was a renowned social reformer, educator, writer, and philanthropist in 19th-century India. He was born in 1820, Bengal and played a significant role in advocating for social reforms and women's rights.

✓ Advocate for education: Vidyasagar firmly felt that education has the ability to change society. He sought to further modern education and was crucial in Bengal's vernacular education movement.

✓Widow Remarriage: One of Vidyasagar's greatest achievements was his tenacious support of Hindu widow remarriage. He played a significant role in the drive to end child marriage and support widow remarriage, which encountered fierce resistance from conservative segments of society.

✓ Women's Rights Advocacy: In addition to encouraging widow remarriage, Vidyasagar worked to increase women's access to education as well as to fight for their rights and empowerment.

✓ Sanskrit College and Vidyasagar College: Vidyasagar was instrumental in the founding of both the  prestigious Vidyasagar College, which bears his name, and the Sanskrit College in Calcutta (now Kolkata).

✓Vidyasagar was an outspoken advocate for social reforms. He promoted widow inheritance rights, fought polygamy, and strove to eradicate superstitious ideas and customs.

Atma Ram Pandurang

In 1876, Dr. Atma Ram Pandurang (1825-1900) founded The Prarthana Samaj in Bombay.

Objective of the Prathana samaj was promote social change and reasonable worship.

Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade and Shri R.C. Bhandarkar were two of this Samaj's greatest members.

Atmaram Pandurang was active in many different kinds of other social reform initiatives in addition to his work with the Prarthana Samaj. He contributed to the establishment of the Bhandarkar Free Library and was a member of the Bombay Natural History Society.

They committed their lives to promoting social reforms like inter-caste relationships inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage, and bettering the conditions of lower-class women.

✓ Abolishment of child marriage

✓ Promotion of female education

✓ Remarriage of widows

✓ Opposition to the caste system

✓ Promotion of monotheism

✓ Reform of Hindu religious practices

Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade

In 1842, Govind Ranade was born. In the 19th century, Govind Ranade-also known as Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade was a well-known Indian social reformer, academic, and jurist. He made a substantial contribution to a number of areas, including social change, legal analysis, and economic growth. He devoted his life to Prathana Samaj

✓ Social Reformer: Govind Ranade was a well-known participant in the social reform movements of his era. He campaigned for the rights of women and the eradication of societal ills including untouchability and child marriage.

✓ Founder of the Widow Remarriage Association: In 1861, he helped found the organization that sought to abolish the social stigma attached to widowhood and promote the remarriage of widows.

✓ Founder of Deccen Education Society & Poona Sarvajanik Sabha

✓Women's Empowerment: Ranade supported the empowerment and education of women. He thought that educating women was crucial for the advancement of society and actively supported projects for the education of girls and women.

✓Contributions to Scholarship: Ranade was a brilliant and active writer. He wrote a great deal on a variety of topics, such as social affairs, history, and economics

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was an Indian Muslim reformer, educator, and politician who lived from 17 October 1817 to 27 March 1898. He is most recognized for founding Aligarh Muslim University, one of the most esteemed institutions of higher learning in India.

Following the 1857 Indian Rebellion, Khan became a fervent supporter of Muslim-British cooperation. He believed that Muslims in British India could only prosper if they embraced Western education and culture. To give Muslims access to a modern education, he established the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875, eventually called Aligarh Muslim University.

His contributions to Indian society:

1. Tahzebul Akhlaq (Social reformer) magazine to aware and educate people about social and religion issues

2. One of the most prestigious universities in India, Aligarh Muslim University, was founded.

3. promoted collaboration between British Muslims.

4. encouraged Muslims to adopt Western culture and education.

5. wrote a lot about social reform, history, and Islam.

6. published a critique of the 1857 uprising in his book Asbab-e-Baghawat-e-Hind.

Keshub Chandra Sen

In 1838, Keshub Chandra Sen was born. He was a social reformer and Hindu philosopher who made an effort to integrate Christian theology into Hinduism. He attended the Hindu College and the Presidency College in Calcutta for his education. He joined the Raja Rammohan Roy-founded Brahmo Samaj, a Hindu reform movement, in 1857.

He was a fervent supporter of social reform and actively campaigned against caste system, sati, and child marriage. He also advocated for women's equality and education.

His contributions to Indian society, such as:

✓ founded the British India Society in 1855

✓ Founded the Bharat Barshiva Brahmo Samaj (Brahmo Samaj of India) in 1865

✓ He formed Nabo Bidhan in 1881

✓ He contributed to the Brahmo Samaj's reform and modernization.

✓ He advocated for social reform, such as the elimination of sati and child marriage.

✓ He advocated for women's equality and educational opportunities.

✓ He was a prolific writer and speaker, and the Indian civilization he wrote about was greatly influenced by his writings.

Balshastri Jambhekar

An important literary and cultural figure who sought to advance language and culture in Maharashtra in the 19th century was Bal Shastri Jambhekar (1857-1930).

He founded a educational and cultural institution, the Jambhekar Sanshodhan Sansthan in Pune

Author of numerous books and articles on literature, philosophy, culture, and history, Jambhekar was a prolific writer. His most well-known works are the Maharashtrache Itihas (History of Maharashtra) and the Bhalaman Shabdakosh (Dictionary of Good Words). He also strived to improve the purity and depth of the Marathi language while being an accomplished language teacher.

He founded Darpan (first marathi paper)

Sarojani Naidu

Sarojini Naidu was an Indian poet, political activist, and social reformer who lived from 1879 to 1949. She was the first Indian woman to hold the positions of governor of an Indian state and president of the Indian National Congress. Naidu was a fervent supporter of social justice, education, and women's rights. She was crucial to the campaign for Indian independence.

Her Contribution in social reform

✓She advocated for education, property rights, and women's suffrage.

✓ She established a number of female groups, including the All India Women's Conference and the Women's Indian Association.

✓She worked to make widows, orphans, and the underprivileged' lives better.

✓She advocated against societal injustices such as child labor, child marriage, and other issues.

✓She was a fervent supporter of religion acceptance and tolerance.

Pandita Ramabai

Marathi social reformer and educator Pandita Ramabai (1858-1922) devoted her life to enhancing the conditions of women and children in India.

✓ The Sharda Sadan, a school and residence for widows and orphans, was established in 1889 by Ramabai. One of the first organizations in India to offer widows shelter and education was the Sharda Sadan, it was renamed Mukti Mission in 1896.

✓ Ramabai also started the Arya Mahila Samaj, a group of women dedicated to enhancing the status of women in India.

✓ Ramabai was a tireless advocate for women's rights. She spoke out against child marriage, child labor, and other forms of social injustice. She also worked to improve the education of women and girls.

Environmental Movements 

Social Religious Organization