SOCIAL RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT | History| L-7|

SOCIAL RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT

All Indian communities saw social and religious reform movements. They battled prejudice, superstition, and the influence of the clerical elite. They advocated against sati, child marriage, the purdah system, castes, untouchability, socioeconomic inequality, and illiteracy.

Some of these reformers received sponsorship from British authorities, either directly or indirectly, and some of the reformers also backed reform-oriented policies and laws developed by the British Government. You will learn about the Socio-Religious Reform Movements (SRRM) in this article, which will help you prepare for the UPSC Civil Service Exam.

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Socio Religious Reform Movements History

Indian society was rigid, caste-based, and debauched in the early nineteenth century. It endorsed some actions that went against moral principles or humane sentiments but were nonetheless done in the name of religion. In order for Indian society to meet the challenges of the West, certain enlightened Indians, such Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, Dayanand Saraswati, and others, started to undertake reforms.

The two main categories of reform movements are reformist movements and revivalist movements. Brahmo Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, and the Aligarh Movement are a few examples of reformist movements.

Examples of revivalist movements include the Arya Samaj and the Deoband movement. Both the reformist and revivalist movements, to varying degrees, depended on an appeal to the religion’s lost purity in order to advance their goals. The only thing that separated reform movements was how much they depended on tradition as opposed to reason and conscience..

Socio-Religious Reform Movements Reason for Rise

The existence of a colonial authority on Indian territory; the British introduced the English language and certain modern concepts to India when they arrived. Liberty, social and economic equality, fraternity, democracy, and justice were among the ideas that had a big impact on Indian society.

Indian culture was caught in a dreadful web of social obscurantism and religious dogma in the nineteenth century. The most upsetting aspect of women’s oppression was their status. Female infants were frequently slain right after delivery. Child marriage was widespread in the community. Many regions of the nation practiced polygamy. Remarrying a widow was prohibited, and sati pratha was frequently used.

Researchers from Europe and India started looking into the history, philosophy, science, religions, and literature of ancient India in the late nineteenth century. As they obtained a deeper grasp of India’s earlier beauty, the Indian people developed a sense of pride in their civilisation. Additionally, it supported religious and social reformers in their struggle against various harmful customs, beliefs, and other behaviors.