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Hindu Reform Movements

Hindu Reform Movements: Challenging Traditions, Advancing Progress, and Promoting Social Equality #

Hindu Reform Movements: Fighting Tradition, Promoting Progress #

There were Hindu Reform Movement in all Indian ethnic groupings. They advocated for the abolition of sati, child marriage, socioeconomic inequalities, and illiteracy in addition to the elimination of castes and untouchability.  Also, it assisted social and religious reformers in their fight against all manner of harmful customs, superstitions, etc. The Bengali Renaissance is when the Hindu Reform Movement first came into prominence.

Hindu Reform Movements: Changing Traditions, Promoting Progress #

Many European and Indian academics started studying the history, philosophy, science, religions, and literature of ancient India in the late 19th century. The major reform movements are: 

Name of the Movement Associated Leaders Features
Brahmo Samaj

(1828)

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Debendranath Tagore, Keshub Chandra Sen
  • The samaj was established by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828.
  • Worshiping the immortal God Brahma was the main objective of the Brahmo Samaj.
  • It focused on prayers, meditation, and scripture reading. Roy was a firm believer in the oneness of all religions
  • This movement was opposed to the priesthood, the dominance of ceremonies, and animal sacrifices.
  • This movement is also known as contemporary India’s first intellectual reform movement.
  • This movement led to an increase in India’s rationalism and enlightenment, which indirectly benefited the nationalist struggle.
  • All current social, religious, and political movements in India are said to have originated from this Hindu Reform Movement.
  • The Brahmo Samaj got separated into two organisations in 1866.
Atmiya Sabha

(1814)

Raja Ram Mohan Roy
  • It was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1814.
  • To promote the monotheistic ideas of Vedanta Philosophy.
  • Atmiya Sabha aimed to fight idolatry, caste rigidities, useless religious rituals, and other societal problems.
  • It promoted rational beliefs propagated by Vedantic Philosophy.
Prarthana Samaj

(1867)

Atmaram Pandurang, Keshab Chandra Sen
  • It was established in 1867 by Atmaram Pandurang along with Keshav Chandra Sen.
  • A covert organisation called the Paramahansa Sabha fostered the eradication of caste and communal barriers and promoted liberal principles..
  • It was a forerunner of the Prarthana Samaj.
  • The strategy of samaj was based on persuasion and teaching rather than conflict with Hindu orthodoxy.
Tattvabodhini Sabha (1839) Devendra Nath Tagore
  • It was founded in 1839 by Debendranath Tagore.
  • After joining the Brahma samaj in 1842, Tagore gave it fresh vitality.
Young Bengal Movement

(1826)

Henry Vivian Derozio
  • The intellectual leaders of the new Bengal movement were from the Hindu College of Calcutta.
  • They were referred to as Derozians.
  • By his instruction and the establishment of a discussion and debate club on literature, philosophy, history, and science, Derozians promoted radical viewpoints.
  • Derozians revered the ideas of the French Revolution (1789 A.D.) and British liberalism and also advocated for women’s rights and education.
Arya Samaj

(1875)

Swami Dayanand Saraswati
  • Swami Dayanand Saraswati was the founder of the Arya Samaj in 1875.
  • The main aim of the Samaj was modernising Hinduism in western and northern India.
  • Swami Dayanand Saraswati claimed that the Puranas, which he claimed included false beliefs, were used by rich and ignorant priests to corrupt Hinduism. 
  • He sought inspiration from the Vedas, which he believed infallible as the divine word of God and the font of all knowledge.
  • His disciples eventually established a network of schools and universities around the country to provide Western-style education. Lala Hansraj was instrumental in establishing various educational institutes.
Ramakrishna Mission (1897) Swami Vivekananda
  • The religious lessons of Ramkrishna Paramhans were popularised by the Vivekananda.
  • Vivekanand attempted to adapt it to the demands of the current Indian society.
  • But, Vivekanand was also convinced of the superiority of the Indian philosophical tradition’s approach.
  • Vivekananda criticised Indians for becoming static and mummified after losing contact with the rest of the world.
  • They opposed the caste system and emphasised on rituals and superstitions.
Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) Jyotiba Phule
  • It was an anti-caste movement in Maharashtra, founded by Jyotibha Phule in Pune, Maharashtra, on 24th September 1873.
  • Satyashodhak was a reformational society that promoted education, and increased social rights, justice, and political access in the deprived sections.
  • It opposed idolatry and condemned the caste system.
  • It opposed the need for priests and advocated for the spread of reason.
Widow Remarriage Association

(1853)

Vishnu Shastri Pandit
  • Promoted widow remarriage.
  • Campaigned against child marriage.
  • Discouraged practices like dowry in marriages, shaving off a widow’s head, etc.

 

Conclusion #

Social leaders then went out to alter their traditional religions, driven by a desire to adapt their society to the needs of the modern world of science, democracy, and nationalism. This was due to the fact that religion at the time was an integral component of daily life and that little social change could occur without religious change.

Previous Years Questions (Prelims)

Q1. Satya Shodhak Samaj organized________. [2016]

  1. A Hindu Reform Movement for upliftment of tribals in Bihar
  2. A temple-entry movement in Gujarat
  3. An anti-caste movement in Maharashtra.
  4. A peasant movement in Punjab

Major Hindu Reform Movements FAQs #

Q1. Who is credited with founding modern India?

Ans. Ram Mohan Ray is referred to as the “Father of Modern India” in honour of the revolutionary social, educational, and political changes he brought about.

Q2. What did the Satyashodhak Samaj serve to accomplish?

Ans. The main objectives of Satyashodhak Samaj were to advance social and educational rights for the underprivileged section of society.

Q3. The Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati for what reason?

Ans. Dayanand founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay in April 1875. The socio-cultural movement, which was founded with the credo “Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam” (Make this world noble), sought to change society by educating people about Vedic knowledge.

Q4. Who was behind the Hindu Reform movement?

Ans. Dr. Atma Ram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Samaj in Bombay in 1876 with the goals of rational worship and social reform. Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade and R.C. Bhandarkar were two of the Samaj’s greatest members.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
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