SOCIAL MOVEMENTS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

Abstract

The nature, ethos and the ideologies of the different reform movements in India can be broadly classified into the following: Reform from within the society - This type of movement is based on the ideas of creating awareness in the society or reviving the indigenous instinct of the people. Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar were two great reformers in this category.

 Reform through legislation - This approach advocated that reforms cannot be effective until supported by the states. The advocates of this approach were Keshub Chandra Sen in Bengal, M.G. Ranade in Maharashtra and Viresalingam in Andhra Pradesh.

Reform through symbol of change - This movement was based on the non-conformist individual activity. The chief propounder of this approach was Henry Louis Vivian Derozio. He formed Young [1]Bengal Movement' which represented a radical stream within the reform movement. Reform through social work - The chief advocates of this approach were Swami Vivekananda (Ramakrishna Mission) and Mahadev Govind Ranade (Prarthana SamaJ[2]).

The nineteenth century witnessed a new vision also called Renaissance. The impact of British rule, religious superstition, prevailing social conditions, caste factor, rise of nationalism and democracy led to reforms. There was sociological and ideological base for the reforms. The social base was basically due to emergence of middle class and western educational intellectual - through renaissance, reformation and enlightenment. The ideological base was provided by the feelings of nationalism, universalism, humanism and secularism. Authority in religion was given up and truth in religion was searched. Universal theism of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and social reform movements played important roles.

[1] Kenneth W.Jonas, Arya Dharam.T.Fisher Publishers,  London,1996,p.23

[2] Ibid,p.24