Brahmo Samaj and Religious Keshav Sen’s tour in Maharashtra led Social and Religious Reform Movements Movements of Bengal to the foundation of Prarthana Samaj in 19 Bombay in 1867. It was started by R. G. CHAPTER Raja Rammohan Roy was born in Bhandarkar, a famous scholar and M. G. Can you recall the main aspects of the eastern countries they were called Bengal in 1772. He Ranade with ideas similar to Brahmo Bhakti movement you read about in Class ‘Orientalists’.) Now these books are was a great scholar Samaj. Sen has also a major influence upon VII? You may recall that Bhakti saints available for all to study. of Sanskrit, Persian, Kandukuri Veeresalingam who started criticised orthodoxy among both English, and knew reform movement in South India. Hindus and Muslims and pointed Arabic, Latin and However, out the oneness of God and Greek. differences arose equality of all human beings. These among the Raja Rammohan Roy ideas were further strengthened in He also studied members of the the 18 th and 19 th centuries. several religious Brahmo Samaj philosophies like Hinduism, Islam, and they broke Christian Missionaries and Christianity and Sufism. Having studied into smaller Oriental Scholars various religious books he was convinced organizations Many Christian missionaries that there is only one God and that Ramakrishna William Jones Max Muller often quarrelling came to India along with the worshipping of idols and making sacrifices with each other. Paramahamsa European companies to preach As the ancient Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, were incorrect. He was convinced that all Keshav Sen eventually became a Christianity in India. They severely Persian and Arabic books got translated into great religions had the same common disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who criticised the existing religious practices European languages, the rich and diverse beliefs and it was incorrect to criticise the preached ardent devotion to goddess Kali. and beliefs and tried to persuade people to cultural heritage of the country was religions of others. He also believed that Swami Vivekananda adopt Christianity. At the same time they recognized by all. This enabled the people we should accept a religious belief only if was a disciple of also established many educational with new ideas to reinterpret their own it is rational and if it is beneficial to people. Ramakrishna and he set institutions, hospitals and charity services religions better. He rejected the authority of priests and up the Ramakrishna with the view of serving the poor and needy. called upon people to study the original Mission with two This helped in spreading many new ideas books of their religions. He published his objectives - to revive a among people. The Europeans introduced printing ideas in magazines and books using the new reformed Hindu Soon a lively debate ensued between press in India. It made possible the technology of printing to reach out to religion and to engage the missionaries and leaders of Hinduism appearance of many newspapers and maximum number of people. in social work and Swami Vivekananda and Islam as each tried to defend their own magazines. Books were also published In 1828 Rammohan Roy founded the social service for religious ideas. Such debates helped people in different Indian languages. This Brahmo Samaj - an assembly of all those national reconstruction. not only to understand each others ideas made books accessible to a large who believed in an universal religion based He believed that Hindu religion was but also encouraged them to enquire into number of people at a very low cost. on the principle of One Supreme God. After superior to all others. He emphasized the the original and basic tenets of their own People could now carry on debates and the death of Rammohan Roy in 1833, the teachings of Upanishadas which were being religions. Several European scholars discussions through these newspapers, Brahmo movement was led by translated and printed in large numbers. At studied the ancient literature of India, magazines and books and easily reach Devendranath Tagore and Keshav Chandra the same time he wanted Hindu religion to translated them and published them as out to large number of people. Sen. They popularised their ideas by get rid of ritualism, superstitions etc. and books. (Since they studied books of the lecturing all over India.

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adopt some of the positive qualities of religions to return to Hinduism based on were opposed to English education as they You may have noticed that all the European culture like freedom and respect the Vedas. He set up Arya Samaj, in 1875 felt that the teachings of modern science reformers tried to reinterpret the for women, work ethic, technology, etc. He to preach his ideas and also wrote a book, and philosophy were contrary to Islamic ancient religious books in order to wanted the Mission to set up hospitals, Satyartha Prakash, which was printed in tenets. defend their reformist ideas. Look at schools, orphanages and also work to bring large numbers and read widely by the However, many Muslims like Sir Syed the examples of all the major relief in times of floods and famines. educated class. Ahmed Khan (1817-1898) were convinced reformers and see how they did this. After his death in 1883 his followers that the bitterness between Muslims and the What were the similarities and Why do you think there was in Punjab set up the Dayanand Anglo Vedic British must end. In order to progress, differences between the views of bitterness between Muslims and the (DAV) School to educate children in Muslims should participate in government Rammohan Roy and Swami British after 1857? Vivekananda? modern subjects and at the same time keep and get larger share them in touch with their religion and in Government jobs. Do you see any similarity between How do you think were the early culture. Some years later there were This was the DAV schools and the MAO reformers influenced by European differences within the Arya Samaj possible only college? culture and Christianity? movement. Some people felt that they through modern Do you find any religious idea In what way do you think printing should only focus on teaching Vedic education. Sir syed advocated by the above reformers helped in the spread of these new religion and not modern subjects and tried to modernize which was not part of the Bhakti ideas? counter the influence of other religions. Muslim community Movement? They set up Gurukul Kangri University in Arya Samaj in Punjab and propagated his Haridwar. ideas through his Social Reforms and Women Swami Dayananda Sir Syed Ahmed Compare the religious views of writings in a journal. Khan Nowadays most girls from middle class Saraswati (1824-1883) Rammohan Roy, Vivekananda and families go to school, and often study with was a social reformer Sir Syed started the Aligarh Movement Dayananda, and point out the boys. On growing up, many of them go to who rejected the for the spread of Modern education and similarities and differences among colleges and universities, and take up jobs. orthodox ritualistic social reforms among the Muslims. He was Women are free to pursue different kinds them. in favour of education of women and the Hinduism and of careers just like men. They can travel to abolition of purdah . He wanted to interpret became a wandering If you had to choose between a DAV distant places and take up work. Islam and bridge the gap between religion, sanyasi. Swami Dayananda school, Gurukul School and a According to law, if they are adults, He studied the government run school, which one modern science and philosophy. In 1864 Saraswati Sir Syed promoted a scientific society they can marry anyone they like, from any Vedas and was would you prefer to go to and why? which translated many scientific works into caste and community, or not marry at all convinced that they contained the true Reform and Education among Urdu and published them. His greatest and widows can remarry too. All women, religion and he rejected all later additions Muslims achievement was the establishment of the like all men, can vote and stand for to Hindu religion like many gods and elections and take part in public life. Even Just as the reformist Hindus had to Mohammedan Anglo Oriental (MAO) goddesses, idol and temple worship and College at Aligarh in 1875. It sought to though women still face discrimination, struggle against the orthodox practices, so Brahmanic priesthood and caste system. teach English and science but in an Islamic they can fight against them and assert their too reformist Muslims had to struggle He advocated worshipping one atmosphere. In course of time, this became rights. against their orthodox religious practices. Supreme God through simple rituals and the most important educational institution The suppression of the revolt of 1857 had Two hundred years ago things were very recitation of Vedic mantras. He rejected for Indian Muslims. It later developed into created a lot of bitterness between different. Most children were married off all other religions as false religions and the Aligarh Muslim University. Muslims and the British. Most Maulvis at an early age of five or six years. Both wanted Hindus who had converted to other

Free distribution by A.P. Government 213 214 Religion and Society Social and Religious Reform Movements Hindu and Muslim men could marry more the early nineteenth century many British Kandukuri Veeresalingam (1848- improving women’s rights in Maharashtra. than one wife. In some parts of the country, officials had also begun to criticise Indian 1919) Jyotiba set up a school for girls of upper caste women were burnt along with traditions and customs. They were willing Kandukuri ‘untouchable’ the bodies of their dead husbands. This was to listen to Rammohan and sati was Veeresalingam was a castes in 1848 in called ‘ sati ’. The life of a widow who did officially banned in 1829. Another Bengali social reformer of Pune. He trained not commit sati was one of hardship and reformer, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Andhra region. He Savitribai to ill treatment because people felt that such fought for remarriage of widows, was born in an become the first women were inauspicious and unprotected. especially child widows. Finally a law was woman teacher. They had to wear white saris and shave off passed allowing widow remarriage in 1855. Kandukuri orthodox Telugu Despite severe their heads and not take part in auspicious Vidyasagar also fought against child Veeresalingam family in opposition to activities. Women’s rights to property were Rajahmundry. Savitribai Phule marriage and the practice of men marrying educating lower also restricted. Besides, most women had Veeresalingam founded Brahma Samaj many girls (polygamy). He was greatly caste girls, virtually no access to education. In many in Andhra Pradesh. He concentrated all his involved in the movement for education of Savitribai continued to teach. After the parts of the country people believed that if efforts and energies on the widow girls and despite severe opposition helped death of Jyotirao Phule, Savitribai took a woman was educated, she would not be setting up schools for girls. remarriage and abolition of child marriage. over the responsibility of Satya Shodhak under the control of her husband or in-laws. He was a strong advocate of women’s Samaj. She presided over meetings and An observer described the first widow This was not the same among all education which was forbidden in those guided workers. Savitribai worked remarriage celebrated in Calcutta in 1856. communities. Such treatment was more days. He started a school in relentlessly for the victims of plague, “I shall never forget the day. When common in upper castes and powerful Dhawaleshwaram near Rajahmundry. where she organized camps for poor Vidyasagar came with his friend, the communities than in tribal societies and Veeresalingam founded a number of children. It is said that she used to feed labouring communities. bridegroom… the crowd of spectators was journals and wrote a number of books in two thousand children everyday during the so great that there was not an inch of epidemic. Minimum Age of Marriage space… After the ceremony, it became the Telugu supporting social reform. He is In 1846, a law was passed to disallow subject of discussion everywhere; in the called as the ‘ Gadya Tikkana ’ of the Andhra Isn’t a woman’s life as dear to her as marriage of girls below ten years. In 1891 bazaars and in the shops, in the streets, Desa for his writings in prose. yours is to you? … once a woman’s husband this was raised to 12 years. In 1929, through in the public squares, in students’ hostels, You would have noticed in the above has died, … what’s in store for her? The the Sharada Act, the minimum age was in drawing rooms, and in distant village descriptions that most of the people who barber comes to shave all the curls and hair raised to 14 years. The limit was raised in homes where even women earnestly fought for the rights of women were men. off her head, just to cool your eyes. … She 1978 to 18 years for girls and 21 years for discussed it among themselves.” At that time very few women were is shut out from going to weddings, boys. Write a dialogue between educated and were not in a position to receptions and other auspicious occasions that married women go to. And why all these Reformers like Rammohan Roy wrote supporters and opposers of widow participate in public activities. We shall restrictions? Because her husband has died. about the way women were forced to bear remarriage. now read about some outstanding She is unlucky: ill fate is written on her the burden of domestic work, confined to courageous women who fought for the forehead. Her face is not to be seen, it’s a the home and the kitchen, and not allowed Why do you think it was important rights of women in such conditions. bad omen. to move out and get educated. He began a to get the government to pass laws Savitribai Jyotirao Phule (1831– - Tarabai Shinde, Stripurush Tulna, campaign against the practice of sati and for social reform? 1897) 1882 (Tarabai was an associate of tried to show that the practice of widow Savitribai Phule along with her husband Savitribai Phule) burning had no sanction in ancient texts. By Jyotiba Phule, played an important role in

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Pandita Ramabai Saraswati (1858 because they have to depend on men and To what extent has the treatment of the lower castes, who began to question –1922) unless they became self-supporting they widows changed today? caste based discrimination. Let us see how cannot assert their rights. this happened and who were the people who Ramabai was Do dalit girls and Muslim girls face led these movements for equality and born in Maharashtra Education among Muslim women special problems in education even and her father ending the caste system. From the early twentieth century, today? educated her in Muslim women like the Begums of Bhopal No place inside the classroom Sanskrit scriptures Social Reforms and played a notable role in promoting In the Bombay presidency, as late despite orthodox Caste System education among women. Another as 1829, some people were called opposition. After the remarkable woman, Begum Rokeya You have read about caste untouchables and not allowed into even death of her father Sakhawat Hossain started schools for discrimination in the previous classes. The Government schools. When some of Ramabai and her Pandita Ramabai Muslim girls in Patna and Calcutta. She was upper castes like Brahmins and kshatriyas them pressed hard for that right, they brother wandered all Saraswati a fearless critic of conservative ideas, treated the labouring groups at the bottom were allowed to sit on the veranda over India including arguing that religious leaders of every faith of the society as shudras or outside the classroom and listen to the Kolkata in Bengal. She came to be known accorded an inferior place to women. “untouchables”. They were not allowed to lessons, without “polluting” the room as Pandita Ramabai Saraswati in enter temples, draw water from the wells where upper-caste boys were taught. recognition of her learning. As a result of the efforts of these social used by the upper castes, to learn to read 1. Imagine that you are one of the reformers, schools and colleges were or write or study scriptures. They were seen “Men behave with us women like they students sitting in the school opened for girls and many of them even as inferior human beings whose only work behave towards animals. When we make veranda and listening to the became doctors and teachers. However, was serving the upper castes. Rulers of efforts to improve our situation it is said lessons. What kind of questions there were many people who strongly those times enforced such caste that we are revolting against men and that resisted these efforts to spread education would be rising in your mind? it is a sin. In fact, the biggest sin is to discrimination by punishing those who did among girls. They felt that if girls became not follow the caste norms. 2. Some people thought this endure the ill deeds and not oppose them,” educated, they would not remain under the This began to change with the situation was better than the total said Ramabai. control of their husbands and would not do establishment of British rule in India. The lack of education for untouchable household duties. Parents who were Ramabai devoted her whole life to British courts implemented the same laws people. Would you agree with courageous enough to send their daughters helping women, especially widows. She for all. The Christian missionaries and the this view? to school were socially boycotted. traveled alone to England and America, to government opened schools where Nevertheless, many families began opting Jyotiba Phule (1827-1890) and learn about the women’s organisations. On admission was given to all children for social change and slowly girls began to Satya Shodhak Samaj her return to India she started an ashram irrespective of their caste background. The study in schools and colleges. and school known as Sharada Sadan in missionaries were particularly active in Jyotiba Phule Mumbai to educate widows. Women were Do you think today equal importance educating the children of lower castes who was born in taught many kinds of skills and vocations is given to the education of girls or had till then been deprived of all education. Maharashtra and at this school so that they could stand on do girls still face discrimination? Government service, especially in the army studied in schools their own feet. It also provided housing, was now open to all and many people from setup by Christian What problems do girls face in education, vocational training and medical castes considered low or untouchable. Missionaries. services for many needy groups including getting educated which boys do not Many moved to the new emerging towns The turning point Jyotiba Phule widows, orphans and the blind. She often face? to find new kinds of employment. All this in Jyotiba’s life said that women bear everything silently brought about changes in the position of occurred when he

Free distribution by A.P. Government 217 218 Religion and Society Social and Religious Reform Movements joined the marriage procession of his His father was an make the dalit people aware of their plight of Indian public life. Women joined the Brahmin friend and was insulted by the ayurveda doctor and and fight for their rights. national movement in large numbers. They family members. On growing up he also ran a school for They were of the view that the dalits hoped that they will enjoy equal rights with were the original inhabitants of the land men when India became independent. developed his own ideas about the children in which discrimination in caste society and he set who had been subjugated by force by Aryan Narayana also Find out about some important out to attack the claim of the Brahmin’s that upper castes. Hence they called upon Dalits studied. women leaders of the freedom they were superior to others. He proposed to call themselves ‘ Adi Andhras ’. In 1906, struggle – Kalpana Dutt, Aruna Asaf that Shudras (labouring castes) and Ati Narayana Guru Bhagya Reddy started “Jagan Mitra Narayana Guru Ali, Captain Lakshmi Sehgal, Sarojini Mandali” to spread awareness among dalits Shudras (untouchables) should unite to called upon the Naidu, Kamladevi Chattopadhyaya, challenge caste discrimination. Ezhava community by using popular folk arts. They set up etc. Jyotiba Phule founded Satya Shodhak to give up several aspects of their low caste schools and also persuaded the Nizam to Samaj to build a new society based on truth status like making liquor and animal allocate special funds for the education of Did all women get the right to vote and equality. He and his wife, Savitribai sacrifices. He set up temples where no dalits. They also led successful agitations in independent India? Phule started a school for girls of the caste discrimination would be practiced and against the practice of dedicating girls, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956) Mahar and Maang castes which were very simple rituals would be followed especially dalit girls as devadasis or Ambedkar was considered untouchable. They had to face without Brahmin priests. He even said that joginis to temples and forcing them into born in Maharashtra. the opposition of even their near relatives. building schools for children was more prostitution. As part of their campaign to His father who was Phule wrote several books like important than building temples. Soon his fight Hindu caste system, they took keen employed in the army “Gulamgiri”, attacking caste system followers increased to include people of interest in the teachings of the Buddha and encouraged his which he equated with slavery. Phule and other castes who were influenced by his promoted the adoption of Buddhism by Satya Shodhak Samaj campaigned for children to go to scholarship and spirituality. Narayana Guru Dalits. special schools, colleges and hostels for school. actively criticized caste system and called the children of ‘low’ castes where the Recall the teachings of Buddha with As a child for end to all forms of caste teachers too would be from ‘low’ castes. regard to the caste system. Ambedkar discriminations. They conducted competitions in essay How would the feeling that the dalits Dr. B. R. Ambedkar experienced what writing, debates and public speaking. So Compare the efforts of Narayana were the original inhabitants of caste prejudice that they can gain confidence and self meant in everyday life. In school Ambedkar guru and Jyotiba Phule. What Andhra have helped in boosting the respect. They called upon the ‘low’ castes and other untouchable children were similarities and differences do you confidence of the dalits? to conduct marriage and death ceremonies segregated and given little attention or see between them? without the Brahmins. Women and Dalits in Freedom assistance by the teachers. They were not Do you think these demands are Movement allowed to sit inside the class. Even if they Bhagya Reddy Varma (1888-1939) necessary even today? Gandhiji encouraged women to needed to drink water somebody from a Why do you think he insisted on ‘low’ participate in the non-cooperation higher caste would have to pour it from a movement and satyagrahas . His success caste teachers to teach such students? Several dalit leaders height as they were not allowed to touch of Andhra Pradesh like in enlisting women in his campaigns, either the water or the vessel that contained Narayana Guru (1856-1928) Bhagya Reddy Varma including the salt satyagraha , anti- it. Overcoming numerous social and Narayana Guru was a religious leader worked tirelessly to untouchability campaign and the peasant financial obstacles, Ambedkar became one who preached the idea of “One Jathi , One movement, gave many women a new self- of the first dalits to obtain college God and One Religion for all”. Bhagya Reddy Varma confidence and dignity in the mainstream education in India.

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He went to America and England for minister. Ambedkar was appointed as the Improve your learning higher studies. On his return to India he Chairman of the Constitution Drafting practised as a lawyer and as a teacher. In Committee, charged by the assembly to 1. Evaluate the following statement with examples, “Western education and Christian 1927, he began public movements for dalits write India’s new constitution. The text Missionaries influenced the Social and Religious reform movement in India”. rights to use public drinking water prepared by Ambedkar provided 2. What was the importance of printing press in the development of reform movement? resources and to enter Hindu temples. In Constitutional guarantees and protections view of his role in mobilising the dalits, he for a wide range of civil liberties for 3. The main idea behind religious reform was to end complex rituals, worshipping of was invited in 1932 by the colonial individual citizens, including freedom of many gods and idol worship. Do you think people have accepted these reforms? Explain. government to a conference on political religion, the abolition of untouchability and 4. Why do you think people like Ramabai paid special attention to the condition of the outlawing of all forms of future of India. He argued that the dalits widows? should vote separately for dalit candidates discrimination. to the legislatures. Even though the British Ambedkar argued for extensive 5. Explain the role of Raja Rammohan Roy as a social reformer in India in 19 th century. accepted this recommendation it was economic and social rights for women. He 6. What was the main concern of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in promoting English Education? opposed by Gandhiji. Finally an agreement also won the Constituent Assembly’s was reached that there will be some seats support for introducing a system of 7. Different leaders thought of different ways in which the ‘untouchable’ castes can be reserved for dalits to which all could vote reservation of jobs in the civil services, made the equals of all others. Make a table with the suggestions of leaders like Phule, for. schools and colleges for members of Bhagya Reddy Varma, Narayana Guru, Ambedkar and Gandhiji. He founded an Independent Labour scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. 8. Why does caste remain such a controversial issue today? What do you think was the Party to represent the interests of the dalits. Towards the end of his life he converted most important movement against caste in colonial times? Around 1932 Gandhiji started a into Buddhism. movement against untouchability. He called 9. What did Ambedkar want to achieve through the temple entry movement? the ‘untouchable’ castes as Harijans or What are the similarities and 10. How in your opinion were the movements of social reform effective in ridding Indian ‘People of God’. He wanted to ensure them differences in the approaches of society of social evils? What social evils do you find today? Which reform movements equal access to temples, water sources and Gandhiji and Ambedkar towards dalits? schools. This campaign was taken up by the Do you think dalits have equal access should be started to combat them? Congress in a big way and helped to bring to temples, water sources and schools 11. Create a posture that reflects your ideas of girls education and that of Social Reforms. millions of Dalits into the national today? What problems do they still movement. face? After independence in 1947, Ambedkar was invited to serve as the nation’s first law

Key words 1. Reforms 2. Sati 3. Purdah 4. Widow marriages 5. Untouchable

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