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IAS Preparation (/free-ias-prep/) > UPSC Preparation Strategy (/free-ias-prep/upsc-exam-strategy/) > 19th Century Social Religious Reforms (/free-ias-prep/19th-century-
social-religious-reforms/)
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19th Century Social and Religious Reform Movements are important from the perspective of the upcoming UPSC exam (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc-
exam/). Candidates looking forward to appearing for the exam must refer to the details discussed below.
The candidates can go through the relevant topics useful for their upcoming exams from the links provided below:
Background
The Indian society in the first half of the 19th century was caste-ridden, decadent and rigid.
The conquest of India by the British during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, exposed some serious weaknesses and drawbacks of Indian social
institutions.
When the British came to India, they introduced the English language as well as certain modern ideas. These ideas were those of liberty, social and economic
equality, fraternity, democracy and justice which had a tremendous impact on Indian society.
As a consequence, several individuals and movements sought to bring about changes in social and religious practices with a view to reforming and
revitalizing society.
These efforts, collectively known as the Renaissance, were complex social phenomena. It is important to note that this phenomenon occurred when India
was under the colonial domination of the British.
There were some enlightened Indians like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, Dayanand Saraswati and many others who were willing to fight
and bring reforms to society so that it could face the challenges of the West.
1. Reformist
These movements responded with the time and scientific temper of the modern era.
2. Revivalist
These movements started reviving ancient Indian traditions and thoughts and believed that western thinking ruined Indian culture and ethos.
Reformist Movements
Some of the reformist movements of the 18th and 19th centuries are discussed below:
Brahmo Samaj
Founded in 1828 in Calcutta by pioneer social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772 – 1833), the movement fought against idol worship, polytheism, caste
oppression, unnecessary rituals and other social evils like Sati, polygamy, purdah system, child marriage, etc. Society also strove for women’s rights like widow
remarriage and education of women. It also fought, attacked prevailing superstitions among Hindus.
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Sayyid Ahmed Khan founded Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh in 1875. Later, it became Aligarh Muslim University. It offered modern education to
Muslims.
Prarthana Samaj
In 1863, Keshub Chandra Sen helped found the Prarthana Samaj in Bombay.
The Prarthana Samaj preached monotheism and denounced priestly domination and caste distinctions.
Its activities also spread to South India, through the efforts of the Telugu reformer, Veeresalingam.
Chandavarkar, basically a philosopher, was a great leader of the Prarthana Samaj.
Revivalist Movements
Some of the revivalist movements are discussed below:
Arya Samaj
The social and religious reform in North India was spearheaded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883) who founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.
This society strove against idolatry, polytheism, rituals, priesthood, animal sacrifice, child marriage and the caste system. It also encourages the
dissemination of western scientific knowledge.
They worked for the improvement in the condition of women, advocated social equality and denounced untouchability and caste rigidities.
Read more about Swami Dayananda Saraswati (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/this-day-in-history-feb12/), from the linked article.
Deoband Movement
It was a revivalist movement. In 1866, Muhammad Qasim Wanotavi and Rashid Ahamad Gangohi founded a school in Deoband (Uttar Pradesh, Saharanpur District).
Deoband movement focused on uplifting the Muslim community through religious education.
The video given below is in line with the CSE syllabus (https://byjus.com/ias/upsc-syllabus/) for the 19th Century Social and Religious Reform Movements. This has
been curated by experts for guiding IAS aspirants:
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Though Annie Besant’s name is most associated with this society, it was actually founded by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott in New York (later shifted to
Madras) in 1875. It promoted the study of ancient Hindu, Buddhist and Zoroastrian philosophies. It promoted the concept of universal brotherhood, as expounded in
the Upanishads and Vedas. It laid stress on occultism.
Ramakrishna Mission
This mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897 in Belur near Calcutta to promote the teachings of Vivekananda’s Guru Ramakrishna Paramahansa. It
opposed the caste system and untouchability. It focused on the universality of all religions and propagated Vedanta.
Satyashodhak Samaj
This society was founded by Jyotirao Govindrao Phule on 24 September 1873 in present-day Maharashtra. It campaigned against idolatry and the caste system. It
advocated rational thinking and rejected the priesthood. Jyotirao Phule is said to have used the term ‘Dalit’ for the oppressed castes.
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For the best preparation strategy and tips, candidates must refer to the success stories of IAS toppers (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/ias-topper/) from the past.
What were the major issues of the socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century?
The major social problems which came in the purview of these reform movements were sati, infanticide, child marriage; casteism and untouchability, etc.
Related Links
Revision Made Easy: Socio-Religious Reform Movements UPSC (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/upsc- IAS History Questions (https://byjus.com/ias-
socio-religious-reform-movements-infographics/) questions/ias-history-questions/)
Indian Order Of Precedence (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/table-of- What Is The National Language Of India (https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/this-
precendence-of-republic-of-india/) day-in-history-jan18/)
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LALITHA LAKSHMI
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Mentor
DECEMBER 16, 2020 AT 10:38 AM
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