It was the educated Indians, often from the upper social strata, who campaigned the agenda for change at the micro-socio levels. The 19th century is witness to the emergence of many social and religious reform movements.
All these groups struggled to bring about changes at the local level in which they operated. They aimed in solving social problems which were socio-religious-cultural in nature.
They worked towards reforming obsolete, repressive, and regressive religious practices. The urge for reform was generated largely as a result of their interaction with the West.
Many groups worked to promote education among the ‘weaker sections – especially women and so-called lower castes. Organisations like the Arya Samaj aimed at restoring Vedic traditions and integrating Vedic knowledge with the modern curriculum.
Examples of some movements of social reforms:
- Brahmo Samaj – Raja Rammohan Roy
- Arya Samaj – Swami Dayanand Saraswati
- Prathana Samaj – Aatmaram Pandurang
- Harijan Sevak Sangh – Mahatma Gandhi
- Theosophical Society – Annie Besant
