Discuss the features of Indian Renaissance
The most important feature of Indian Renaissance was the overall upliftment of the Indian society. A new intelligentsia which came into being, inhibited the Western liberal culture.
Indian Renaissance recognized the need to reform social institutions and religious outlook inherited from the past etc.
- They targeted social evils like caste system, untouchability, religious orthodoxy etc.
- They worked for the upliftment of women; widow remarriage, abolition of Sati, monogamy were important reforms in this area.
- The Indian reform movements were basically urban in nature.
- Modern and improved means of communications helped them propagate their views more freely and easily.
- The emergence of printing press aided them great deal in this regard.
- They also organised lectures and Sabhas to communicate their views to the masses.
- Though localized in their operations, they had a vision of reform for the whole India.
- Their ideologies cut across different castes, cultures and religious identities.
- Reform movements like Brahmo Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, Arya Samaj were highly progressive in nature.
- They targeted age old traditions and customs of the society.