Socio-Religious Reform Movements in India
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, various socio-religious reform movements emerged in India, aiming to eradicate social evils and bring religious and social changes. Below is a detailed table highlighting these movements.
| Religious Institution | Founder | Ideas and Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Brahmo Samaj (1828), Calcutta | Raja Ram Mohan Roy | Propagated monotheism, opposed sacrifices, idol worship, superstition, and sati. Author of Gift to Monotheists and Percepts of Jesus. Published Sambad Kaumudi and Mirat-ul Akbar. |
| Young Bengal Movement (1826-31) | Henry Louis Vivian Derozio | Opposed societal vices, emphasized truth, freedom, and rights. Published the journal Jananresan. |
| Tattavabodhini Sabha (1839) | Debendranath Tagore | Supported Brahmo Samaj ideas, founded Adi Brahmo Samaj (1866), published Tattavabodhini Patrika. |
| Dharma Sabha (1820), Rohilkhand | Radhakant Deb | Countered Brahmo Samaj and upheld orthodox Hindu practices. |
| Wahabi Movement (1820), Rohilkhand | Syed Ahmed of Rai Bareilly | Popularized Waliullah’s teachings, stressed individual conscience in religion. |
| Namdhari or Kuka Movement (1841-71) | Bhai Balak Singh and Baba Ram Singh | Aimed at political and social reforms among Sikhs. |
| Paramhans Mandali (1849) | Dadoba Pandurang | Promoted unity of God and opposed caste-based discrimination. |
| Rahnumai Mazdayasanan Sabha (1851) | SS Bengali, Dadabhai Naoroji | Improved social conditions of Parsis and restored Zoroastrian purity. Published Rast Gotar. |
| Prarthana Samaj (1867), Bombay | Atmaram Pandurang | Promoted monotheism, women’s upliftment, and caste abolition. |
| Indian Reform Association (1870), Calcutta | Keshab Chandra Sen | Opposed child marriage, supported widow remarriage and inter-caste marriages. |
| Arya Samaj (1875), Bombay | Dayanand Saraswati | Advocated returning to the Vedas, opposed idol worship and caste superiority. |
| Aligarh Movement (1875) | Syed Ahmed Khan | Stressed religious equality, scientific outlook, founded Aligarh Muslim University. |
| The Theosophical Society (1875) | Madam HP Blavatsky and Col HS Olcott | Drew inspiration from Upanishads and Vedanta philosophy. |
| Deccan Education Society (1884), Pune | MG Ranade, VG Chiplinkar, GG Agarkar | Promoted education and culture, established Fergusson College (1885). |
| Seva Sadan (1885), Bombay | Behramji M Malabari | Fought against child marriages and forced widowhood. |
| Deva Samaj (1887), Lahore | Shiv Narain Agnihotri | Encouraged ethical conduct, discouraged bribery and gambling. |
| Madras Hindu Association (1892) | Veresalingam Pantulu | Promoted social purity and fought against the Devadasi system. |
| Ramkrishna Mission (1897), Belur | Vivekananda | Aimed at reviving Hinduism, opposing caste restrictions and superstition. |