Socio-Religious Reforms

A distinct feature of the 19th century India was the urge for social and religious reforms which cut across castes and communities. India had a long tradition of religious reforms and social dissent.

During the ancient period, an urge for reform can be seen in Upanishadic texts, Buddhism, Jainism, Vajrayan, Tantricism, etc.

During the medieval age, the popularity of the Bhakti and the Sufi saints is well known. Attempts to explore India’s past by the first generation of British rulers helped to sharpen educated classes’ consciousness of their own existence.

Early reformers were groping to find suitable answers. But the agenda for the modernization was not set by the western influence because the logic for reform was sought to be located within India’s past.

Impact of Reform Movements

Reform movements of the 19th century set a strong background for the national liberation movement against the British imperialism. Some women reformers also played a prominent role in the social life of the 19th century.

One may mention such names as Pandita Ramabai in western part, Sister Subbalaksmi in Madras and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain in Bengal. Reform movements helped the growth of a modern middle class which was conscious of its rights.

Some Indian reformers also protested British attempts to pass those laws which they thought interfered with their religion and society. This was evident in the case of the Age of Consummation of marriage by raising the age of consent from 10 to 12.

We can also see that some of these reform movements, by raising issues which were in conflict with interests of other communities
or were revivalist in nature, also worked towards polarization along communal lines.