PPT: Reform Movements - I | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


General Features 
of Socio-Religious 
Reform 
Movements
Page 2


General Features 
of Socio-Religious 
Reform 
Movements
Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj
1
Early Life (1772-1833)
Raja Rammohan Roy, father of Indian 
Renaissance, advocated monotheism through his 
work "Gift to Monotheists" (1809) and translations 
of Vedas and Upanishads. He established the 
Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta in 1814.
2
Founding of Brahmo Samaj (1828)
Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha (later Brahmo 
Samaj) in 1828, dedicated to worshipping "the 
Eternal, Unsearchable Being who is the Author of 
the Universe" while opposing idolatry and empty 
rituals.
3
Legacy and Opposition
The Brahmo Samaj faced resistance from 
orthodox groups like Raja Radhakant Deb's 
Dharma Sabha. Roy's death in 1833 significantly 
impacted the Samaj's progress.
Page 3


General Features 
of Socio-Religious 
Reform 
Movements
Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj
1
Early Life (1772-1833)
Raja Rammohan Roy, father of Indian 
Renaissance, advocated monotheism through his 
work "Gift to Monotheists" (1809) and translations 
of Vedas and Upanishads. He established the 
Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta in 1814.
2
Founding of Brahmo Samaj (1828)
Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha (later Brahmo 
Samaj) in 1828, dedicated to worshipping "the 
Eternal, Unsearchable Being who is the Author of 
the Universe" while opposing idolatry and empty 
rituals.
3
Legacy and Opposition
The Brahmo Samaj faced resistance from 
orthodox groups like Raja Radhakant Deb's 
Dharma Sabha. Roy's death in 1833 significantly 
impacted the Samaj's progress.
Social Reforms by Raja 
Rammohan Roy
Campaign Against 
Sati
Launched anti-sati struggle in 
1818, leading to the 1829 
Government Regulation that 
criminalized the practice.
Women's Rights
Opposed polygamy and 
advocated for widows' 
dignity. Fought for women's 
inheritance rights and worked 
to elevate their social status.
Educational Reforms
Supported Hindu College's founding (1817) and established an 
English school teaching mechanics and philosophy. Founded 
Vedanta College (1825) combining Indian learning with Western 
sciences.
Page 4


General Features 
of Socio-Religious 
Reform 
Movements
Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj
1
Early Life (1772-1833)
Raja Rammohan Roy, father of Indian 
Renaissance, advocated monotheism through his 
work "Gift to Monotheists" (1809) and translations 
of Vedas and Upanishads. He established the 
Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta in 1814.
2
Founding of Brahmo Samaj (1828)
Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha (later Brahmo 
Samaj) in 1828, dedicated to worshipping "the 
Eternal, Unsearchable Being who is the Author of 
the Universe" while opposing idolatry and empty 
rituals.
3
Legacy and Opposition
The Brahmo Samaj faced resistance from 
orthodox groups like Raja Radhakant Deb's 
Dharma Sabha. Roy's death in 1833 significantly 
impacted the Samaj's progress.
Social Reforms by Raja 
Rammohan Roy
Campaign Against 
Sati
Launched anti-sati struggle in 
1818, leading to the 1829 
Government Regulation that 
criminalized the practice.
Women's Rights
Opposed polygamy and 
advocated for widows' 
dignity. Fought for women's 
inheritance rights and worked 
to elevate their social status.
Educational Reforms
Supported Hindu College's founding (1817) and established an 
English school teaching mechanics and philosophy. Founded 
Vedanta College (1825) combining Indian learning with Western 
sciences.
Debendranath Tagore and Keshab 
Chandra Sen
Debendranath Tagore 
(1817-1905)
Maharishi Debendranath, father of 
Rabindranath Tagore, joined 
Brahmo Samaj in 1842. He led the 
Tattvabodhini Sabha (founded 
1839) which, with its Bengali 
publication Tattvabodhini Patrika, 
promoted rational study of India's 
heritage.
Keshab Chandra Sen 
(1838-1884)
Appointed acharya by 
Debendranath after joining in 1858, 
Keshab revitalized the Brahmo 
Samaj. He expanded its influence 
beyond Bengal, establishing 
branches across United Provinces, 
Punjab, Bombay, Madras and other 
regions.
The Split
Keshab was dismissed as acharya 
in 1865. He formed the Brahmo 
Samaj of India in 1866, while 
Debendranath's group became 
the Adi Brahmo Samaj. By 1878, 
disillusioned followers of Keshab 
established the Sadharan Brahmo 
Samaj.
Page 5


General Features 
of Socio-Religious 
Reform 
Movements
Raja Rammohan Roy and Brahmo Samaj
1
Early Life (1772-1833)
Raja Rammohan Roy, father of Indian 
Renaissance, advocated monotheism through his 
work "Gift to Monotheists" (1809) and translations 
of Vedas and Upanishads. He established the 
Atmiya Sabha in Calcutta in 1814.
2
Founding of Brahmo Samaj (1828)
Roy founded the Brahmo Sabha (later Brahmo 
Samaj) in 1828, dedicated to worshipping "the 
Eternal, Unsearchable Being who is the Author of 
the Universe" while opposing idolatry and empty 
rituals.
3
Legacy and Opposition
The Brahmo Samaj faced resistance from 
orthodox groups like Raja Radhakant Deb's 
Dharma Sabha. Roy's death in 1833 significantly 
impacted the Samaj's progress.
Social Reforms by Raja 
Rammohan Roy
Campaign Against 
Sati
Launched anti-sati struggle in 
1818, leading to the 1829 
Government Regulation that 
criminalized the practice.
Women's Rights
Opposed polygamy and 
advocated for widows' 
dignity. Fought for women's 
inheritance rights and worked 
to elevate their social status.
Educational Reforms
Supported Hindu College's founding (1817) and established an 
English school teaching mechanics and philosophy. Founded 
Vedanta College (1825) combining Indian learning with Western 
sciences.
Debendranath Tagore and Keshab 
Chandra Sen
Debendranath Tagore 
(1817-1905)
Maharishi Debendranath, father of 
Rabindranath Tagore, joined 
Brahmo Samaj in 1842. He led the 
Tattvabodhini Sabha (founded 
1839) which, with its Bengali 
publication Tattvabodhini Patrika, 
promoted rational study of India's 
heritage.
Keshab Chandra Sen 
(1838-1884)
Appointed acharya by 
Debendranath after joining in 1858, 
Keshab revitalized the Brahmo 
Samaj. He expanded its influence 
beyond Bengal, establishing 
branches across United Provinces, 
Punjab, Bombay, Madras and other 
regions.
The Split
Keshab was dismissed as acharya 
in 1865. He formed the Brahmo 
Samaj of India in 1866, while 
Debendranath's group became 
the Adi Brahmo Samaj. By 1878, 
disillusioned followers of Keshab 
established the Sadharan Brahmo 
Samaj.
Significance of Brahmo Samaj and Prarthana 
Samaj
1
Brahmo Samaj Impact
Condemned prejudices against 
foreign travel and worked extensively 
for women's rights by opposing sati, 
purdah, child marriage, and 
polygamy. Advocated for widow 
remarriage and women's education 
while also challenging casteism and 
untouchability.
2
Prarthana Samaj Formation
Founded in Bombay (1867) by 
Atmaram Pandurang with Keshab 
Chandra Sen's assistance. Evolved 
from the Paramahansa Sabha, a 
secret society that promoted liberal 
ideas and dissolution of caste barriers.
3
Prarthana Samaj Leadership
Led by Mahadeo Govind Ranade 
(joined 1870), R.G. Bhandarkar, and 
N.G. Chandavarkar. Rooted in 
Maharashtra's bhakti tradition, it 
focused on four social reforms: 
opposing caste, promoting women's 
education, supporting widow 
remarriage, and increasing marriage 
age.