What was the character of socio-religious reforms in the 19th century and how did they contribute to the national awakening in India?
India, in the 19th century, witnessed a series of socio-religious reform movements, which aimed at reorientations of the Indian society along modern lines.
These reform movements can be viewed as the expression of the social aspiration of newly emerging middle class of colonial India.
The major social problems which came in the purview of the reform movements were emancipation of women in which Sati, infanticide, child and widow remarriage, casteism, untouchability were taken up for enlightening the society.
In the religious spheres main issues like idolatry, polytheism, religious superstitions and exploitation by priests were taken up by Brahmo Samaj in Bengal, Arya Samaj in Punjab, Paramhamsa Mandalis and Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra, Ahmadiya, Aligarh movements, Singh Sabha, Rehnumai Mazdeyasan Sabha, etc were some of the socio-religious organisations which tried to relieve their religions from the burdens of blind faith and superstitions.
Religious reformations, were major concern of these movements, but none of them was exclusively religious in character but were strongly humanist in inspiration, their attention was focused on worldly existence.
Rationalism and religious universalism were the important ideas which influenced these reform movements.
Though these movements were widespread, they were confined to a religion or a caste. They mostly fulfilled a regional aspiration.
However, all of them were united in bringing changes in the society through social and educational reforms. Their effort led to the end of decadent customs, demoralisation of the society, and the emergence of modern secular outlook.
India, in the 19th century, witnessed a series of socio-religious reform movements, which aimed at reorientations of the Indian society along modern lines.
These reform movements can be viewed as the expression of the social aspiration of newly emerging middle class of colonial India.
The major social problems which came in the purview of the reform movements were emancipation of women in which Sati, infanticide, child and widow remarriage, casteism, untouchability were taken up for enlightening the society.
In the religious spheres main issues like idolatry, polytheism, religious superstitions and exploitation by priests were taken up by Brahmo Samaj in Bengal, Arya Samaj in Punjab, Paramhamsa Mandalis and Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra, Ahmadiya, Aligarh movements, Singh Sabha, Rehnumai Mazdeyasan Sabha, etc were some of the socio-religious organisations which tried to relieve their religions from the burdens of blind faith and superstitions.
Religious reformations, were major concern of these movements, but none of them was exclusively religious in character but were strongly humanist in inspiration, their attention was focused on worldly existence.
Rationalism and religious universalism were the important ideas which influenced these reform movements.
Though these movements were widespread, they were confined to a religion or a caste. They mostly fulfilled a regional aspiration.
However, all of them were united in bringing changes in the society through social and educational reforms. Their effort led to the end of decadent customs, demoralisation of the society, and the emergence of modern secular outlook.