Key Reformers – Chapter 7 – Women, Caste and Reform – Class 8

Raja Rammohun Roy (1772–1833)

• Key Contributions:
  • Founded the Brahmo Sabha (later known as Brahmo Samaj) in Calcutta, aiming to reform and modernise Indian society.
  • Advocated for Women’s Rights: Focused on the abolition of Sati, a practice where widows were forced to die on their husbands’ funeral pyres. He argued this practice had no grounding in ancient texts.
  • Promoted Education: Pushed for wider access to education, particularly Western education, to foster equality and freedom for women.
  • Published Pamphlets: Wrote and disseminated writings, including dialogues critiquing traditional practices and supporting new thinking.
  • Legal Success: His efforts contributed to the official ban on Sati in 1829.

Also Check – Chapter 7 – Women, Caste and Reform – Class 8 – Simplified History Notes

Swami Dayanand Saraswati (1824–1883)

• Key Contributions:
  • Founded Arya Samaj in 1875: An organisation that sought to reform Hinduism by returning to the Vedas, removing what he considered later additions like idol worship.
  • Advocated for Social Reform: Supported the re-marriage of widows and pushed for women’s education, aiming to uplift the status of women in society.
  • Critic of Orthodox Practices: Opposed idolatry and ritualism, promoting a more rational and less superstitious approach to Hinduism.
  • Promoted Vedic Education: Set up educational programs that combined traditional Vedic learning with modern subjects.

Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar (1820–1891)

• Key Contributions:
  • Educational Reforms: One of the pioneers in setting up schools for girls, promoting the idea that education was crucial for improving women’s status.
  • Widow Remarriage Act of 1856: Used his knowledge of ancient texts to advocate for the remarriage of widows, leading to the passage of a law allowing it.
  • Books and Pamphlets: Wrote extensively, arguing for the reform of societal practices that discriminated against women.
  • Cultural Impact: His efforts also extended to simplifying and modernising Bengali prose.

Veerasalingam Pantulu

• Who He Was: A social reformer and writer from the Telugu-speaking regions of India.
• Main Contributions:
  • Advocated for Widow Remarriage: Worked extensively to support the cause of widow remarriage, challenging traditional social norms that stigmatised widows.
  • Promotion of Education: Established schools focusing on educating both girls and boys, aiming to uplift the societal status of women through education.
  • Literary Works: Wrote books and articles advocating social reforms, which helped spread his ideas and inspire change in society.

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain

• Who She Was: An influential writer and social activist in Bengal.
• Main Contributions:
  • Education for Muslim Girls: Founded schools for Muslim girls at a time when their education was generally neglected, helping to lay the groundwork for their social empowerment.
  • Women’s Rights Advocate: Wrote extensively about the importance of education for women and their role in society, arguing against traditional restrictions on women’s lives.
  • Literary Influence: Her writings not only highlighted gender issues but also served as an inspiration for future generations to challenge societal norms.

Pandita Ramabai

• Who She Was: A scholar, social reformer, and advocate for the rights of women in India.
• Main Contributions:
  • Critic of Oppression: Openly criticised the treatment of women in Hindu society, particularly addressing the injustices faced by widows.
  • Support for Widows: Established a home for widows in Pune, providing them with shelter and education, thus offering them a new path in life.
  • Educational Reforms: Advocated for and implemented educational programs for women, believing that education was key to improving their status and independence.

Jyotirao Phule

• Who He Was: A social reformer and thinker in the 19th century who focused on the struggles of lower castes.
• Main Contributions:
  • Criticised Caste Inequalities: He was a vocal critic of the caste system and worked towards highlighting the oppression of lower castes.
  • Wrote ‘Gulamgiri’: In 1873, he wrote a book called ‘Gulamgiri’ (Slavery), where he compared the conditions of the lower castes in India to slaves in America, advocating for equality and justice.
  • Founded Satyashodhak Samaj: He established an organisation to support the education and upliftment of lower castes, promoting social equality.
  • Educational Reforms: He emphasised education as a tool for social change and encouraged lower castes to pursue learning as a way to break the chains of social oppression.

Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker

• Who He Was: An influential leader and social activist in Tamil Nadu, known for his efforts to reform society.
• Main Contributions:
  • Criticised Hindu Scriptures: He openly criticised Hindu scriptures like the Manusmriti for supporting caste and gender discrimination.
  • Founded the Self Respect Movement: This movement aimed to provide dignity to lower castes and promote self-respect among them.
  • Advocated for Rationalism: Periyar pushed for a rationalistic approach to religion and social practices, questioning blind faith and superstitions.
  • Gender Equality: He also focused on the rights of women, advocating for their education and equal status in society.

B.R. Ambedkar

• Who He Was: A prominent Dalit leader, jurist, and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.
• Main Contributions:
  • Fought Against Caste Discrimination: He led numerous movements to end discrimination against Dalits and was a key figure in the fight for their rights.
  • Temple Entry Movements: Ambedkar organised movements to allow Dalits into Hindu temples, from which they were traditionally barred.
  • Drafted Indian Constitution: He emphasised the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity in India’s constitution, ensuring protection for all under the law.
  • Promoted Education and Social Reform: He believed education was crucial for the upliftment of Dalits and worked tirelessly to ensure access to education for all marginalised communities.

Mumtaz Ali

• Who He Was: A progressive thinker and reformer who advocated for women’s education within the framework of Islamic teachings.
• Main Contributions:
  • Women’s Education: Mumtaz Ali argued that Islamic teachings support the education of women. He believed that educating women was crucial for the progress of society.
  • Reinterpretation of Texts: He reinterpreted verses from the Quran to emphasise that Islam does not prohibit the education of women but rather encourages their intellectual and spiritual development.
  • Cultural Impact: His efforts helped change the perception within some parts of the Muslim community regarding women’s roles and rights.

Henry Derozio

• Who He Was: A teacher at Hindu College in Calcutta and a significant figure in the Young Bengal Movement.
• Main Contributions:
  • Education and Expression: Derozio inspired his students to question authority and traditional practices, emphasising rational thinking and free expression.
  • Young Bengal Movement: This movement was instrumental in promoting modern education for women and freedom of expression. His teachings encouraged students to think critically and advocate for social reforms.
  • Legacy: Though he died young, his ideas influenced a generation of thinkers and reformers in Bengal, contributing to the renaissance that changed many aspects of Indian society.

Swami Vivekananda

• Who He Was: A key disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa and a major figure in the introduction of the Indian philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world.
• Main Contributions:
  • Spreading Vedanta: Swami Vivekananda is renowned for his speech at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, where he introduced Hindu philosophy to the West and called for global unity and peace.
  • Social Service: He emphasised that real salvation is achieved through service to mankind, advocating social service as a means to spiritual development.
  • Ramakrishna Mission: He founded the Ramakrishna Mission, a monastic organisation that carries out extensive educational and philanthropic work in India and abroad.
  • Influence on Indian Nationalism: His teachings fostered a sense of pride and identity among Indians and inspired many freedom fighters.

Tarabai Shinde

• Who She Was: A pioneering feminist in India who spoke out against gender discrimination.
• Main Contributions:
  • Book ‘Stripurushtulna’: She wrote a book called ‘Stripurushtulna’ (A Comparison Between Women and Men) criticising the unfair treatment of women compared to men in society.
  • Challenging Patriarchy: Her work challenged the traditional views and was one of the earliest critiques of the patriarchal system in Indian society.
  • Advocate for Equality: Tarabai argued that women should be treated as equals to men, highlighting issues such as the unfair expectations and burdens placed on women.

Rashsundari Debi

• Who She Was: One of the first autobiographers in modern Indian literature and a literate woman who learned to read and write in secret.
• Main Contributions:
  • Autobiography ‘Amar Jiban’: She wrote her autobiography, ‘Amar Jiban’, which means ‘My Life’, detailing her journey of secretly learning to read and write.
  • Inspiration for Women’s Education: Her story is a testament to the challenges faced by women in accessing education and has inspired many towards the cause of educating women.
  • Breaking Social Norms: Rashsundari Debi’s efforts showed the determination of women to break free from restrictive social norms.

The Begums of Bhopal

• Who They Were: Rulers of Bhopal who were known for their progressive views and efforts in promoting education.
• Main Contributions:
  • Promoting Education: They established schools for girls in Bhopal, significantly promoting female education at a time when it was not common for women to receive formal education.
  • Supporting Progressive Policies: The Begums supported various reforms and policies that improved the status of women in their region.
  • Legacy of Education: Their efforts laid the foundation for educational reforms in Bhopal, allowing more girls to pursue education and better their lives.

Shri Narayana Guru

• Who He Was: A spiritual leader and social reformer from Kerala.
• Main Contributions:
  • Advocated for Social Reform: He strongly opposed caste-based discrimination and worked towards the social integration of all communities.
  • Emphasised Unity: He promoted the idea that all humans are equal, famously stating “One caste, one religion, one god for humankind” (Oru Jati, Oru Matham, Oru Daivam, Manushyanu).
  • Spiritual Leadership: Established temples that were open to all castes, fostering a space for spiritual practices free from caste segregation.
  • Educational Efforts: He also focused on education as a means for empowerment, establishing schools that were accessible to lower caste individuals.

Ghasidas

• Who He Was: A leader from the Satnami community in Central India.
• Main Contributions:
  • Led the Satnami Movement: Aimed at improving the social status of the lower castes, particularly targeting the upliftment of leatherworkers.
  • Social Equality: He preached and practised equality, challenging the existing social norms that discriminated against lower castes.
  • Community Mobilisation: Encouraged the lower caste communities to unify and stand up against caste oppression, promoting dignity and self-respect.

Haridas Thakur

• Who He Was: A reformer who worked with the Matua community in Eastern Bengal.
• Main Contributions:
  • Challenged Brahmanical Authority: Criticised the traditional texts and practices that supported caste discrimination.
  • Promoted Dignity of Lower Castes: Worked tirelessly to enhance the status and dignity of lower castes, especially the Chandala cultivators.
  • Religious Reforms: Established a sect that focused on spiritual practices that were inclusive of all castes, helping to break down the barriers imposed by traditional caste-based restrictions.

Sayyid Ahmed Khan

• Who He Was: A visionary leader and educational reformer.
• Main Contributions:
  • Founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875: This institution was established in Aligarh and later became known as Aligarh Muslim University.
  • Promoted Modern Education: He focused on introducing modern education among Muslims, integrating Western sciences and English language into the curriculum.
  • Cultural Modernization: Sayyid Ahmed Khan advocated for the reinterpretation of Islamic thoughts to align with modernity and scientific advancements.
  • Social Reforms: His educational efforts were aimed at uplifting the Muslim community by reducing gaps in education between Muslims and other communities in India.

Leaders of the Singh Sabha Movement

• Who They Were: A group of Sikh leaders committed to reforming Sikhism.
• Main Contributions:
  • Reformed Sikh Practices: Worked towards removing superstitions and outdated customs from Sikh practices.
  • Promotion of Education: They established schools and learning centres to promote education among Sikhs, emphasising the importance of literacy and religious education.
  • Revival of Sikh Identity: The movement aimed to strengthen Sikh identity by returning to the core teachings of the Sikh Gurus and clearing up misconceptions and ritualistic additions that had crept into Sikh practice over the years.
  • Encouraged Scriptural Study: Encouraged the reading and understanding of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhism, in its original form without the influence of prevailing Brahmanical or mystical interpretations.