ANUSANDHAN - A Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Research Repository Volume-1 pp 217-225
Editors: Dr. Shamim Ahmed Shamim Khan Barbhuiya. Dr. Saurabh Sarma.
Dr. Kowser Alam Laskar. Dr. Atiqur Rahman Laskar. Dr. Gulenoor Islam Barbhuiya (2026)
ISBN: 978-93-94174-56-6
Chapter 24
Socio-Religious Reform Movements of India in 19th Century: Causes, Reformers and Social Transformation
Sudip Roy *,
Assistant Teacher, GCRBM High School, Katlicherra. India
Abstract
The nineteenth century in India witnessed significant socio-religious reform movements that sought to address deep-rooted social inequalities, rigid customs, and widespread superstition. This article examines the causes, major reformers, and the transformative impact of these movements using a qualitative and descriptive approach based on secondary sources. It highlights how factors such as caste discrimination, gender inequality, lack of modern education, and the dominance of orthodox religious practices made reforms necessary across different sections of society (Chandra, 2009; Sarkar, 1983). The study analyzes the contributions of key reformers including Raja Rammohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule, Sree Narayana Guru, B.R. Ambedkar, and Mahatma Gandhi (Guha, 2010; Metcalf & Metcalf, 2012). These individuals challenged social evils such as the Sati system, child marriage, untouchability, and restrictions on women’s education while promoting rational thinking, social equality (Ahir, 2018). The article further argues that these reform efforts not only transformed social and religious life but also laid the intellectual and moral foundation for modern India (Guha, 2010). Ultimately, the movements helped shape constitutional values such as justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, making them central to India’s transition into a modern nation-state.
Keywords
Socio-religious reform, Social reformers, Women’s education, Widow re-marriage, Caste discrimination, Sati system.
Cite this Chapter: Sudip Roy. 2026. Socio-Religious Reform Movements of India in 19th Century: Causes, Reformers and Social Transformation. In: Dr. Shamim Ahmed Shamim Khan Barbhuiya. Dr. Saurabh Sarma. Dr. Kowser Alam Laskar. Dr. Atiqur Rahman Laskar. Dr. Gulenoor Islam Barbhuiya (Eds.), ANUSANDHAN-A Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Research Repository. Excellent Publishers, India. pp. 217-225. doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/978-93-94174-56-6_24
