Notes Class 12 Chapter 5 History Maharashtra Board

India: Social and Religious Reforms

Need for Reform: Indian society faced challenges like superstitions, caste discrimination, rigid customs, and lack of rational thinking, which slowed progress.
Impact of British Education: The new education system introduced by the British created a group of Indian thinkers who wanted a modern society based on Freedom, Equality, Fraternity, and Humanism.
Goal: Reformers aimed to raise awareness about social and religious issues to transform society and support the fight for political freedom.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
Born in Bengal, he was a pioneer of social and religious reforms in India.
Translated Sanskrit Upanishads into Bengali to make them accessible.
Against Sati: Witnessed his sister-in-law’s Sati and wrote against it, proving no religious texts supported it. His efforts led to the Sati Abolition Law (1829) by Lord William Bentinck.
Opposed child marriage and purdah system (segregation of women).
Founded Atmiya Sabha, a group to discuss similarities in different religions.
Established Brahmo Samaj (1828), promoting monotheism (one God) and rejecting idol worship.
Supported press freedom: Protested the 1824 British restriction on press freedom, appealing to the British King.
International Influence: Supported anti-colonial movements in South America and liberal movements in Spain. Visited England and France, introducing Indian culture to Europe.
Legacy: Laid the foundation for modernity in India, inspiring organizations like Manavdharm Sabha, Paramhamsa Sabha, and Dnyanprasar Sabha.

Prarthana Samaj:

Originated from Paramhamsa Sabha, founded by Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar.
Key members: Dr. Atmaram Pandurang, Justice M.G. Ranade, Dr. R.G. Bhandarkar.
Promoted monotheism and opposed idol worship.
Worked for gender equality, ending caste discrimination, and valuing everyday life.
Established orphanages, girls’ schools, and night schools for workers.

Satyashodhak Samaj:

Founded by Mahatma Jotirao Phule in 1873 in Pune.
Challenged unjust religious traditions and social customs rationally.
Principles: Monotheism, rejection of Vedas and Puranas, rationality, opposition to priestly dominance, idol worship, pilgrimages, miracles, and belief in an afterlife.
Focused on uplifting farmers, artisans, workers, and oppressed castes.
Education for Girls: Jotirao and Savitribai Phule started girls’ schools, emphasizing education as key to women’s empowerment.
Continued by Pandita Ramabai and Ramabai Ranade.
Gopalbaba Walangkar criticized untouchability in his book Vital Vidhwamsan.
Shivram Janba addressed issues of deprived women like Murali, Jogatini, and Devdasi.

Arya Samaj:

Founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875.
Regarded Vedas as holy and rejected caste discrimination.
Supported women’s education, widow remarriage, and inter-caste marriages.

Ramkrishna Mission:

Founded by Swami Vivekanand in 1897.
Focused on serving the needy, including famine victims, the sick, and the weak.
Promoted women’s education and spiritual growth.
Inspired youth with the message: “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”

Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan:

Born in 1817 in Delhi, fluent in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, and English.
Edited Ain-i-Akbari, a book on Emperor Akbar’s administration.
Founded the Scientific Society for Muslim scholars.
Established Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College (1875), later Aligarh Muslim University.
Started the periodical Mohammadan Social Reformer to promote modern education, science, and technology.

Tarabai Shinde:

Born in 1850 in Buldhana, wrote an essay comparing men’s and women’s conditions.
Demanded gender equality, women’s education, widow remarriage, and abolition of Sati.
Challenged the patriarchal system, arguing religions suppress women as they are created by men.
Supported by Mahatma Phule.

Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde:

Founded the Depressed Classes Mission and opened Marathi and technical schools in Mumbai.
Worked for temple entry for depressed classes (e.g., Parvati temple in Pune), agricultural conferences, and joint electorate systems.

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar:

Worked for a society based on Freedom, Equality, and Fraternity.
Led movements against the caste system, including the Chavadar Tank Satyagraha (Mahad) for public water access and Kala Ram Temple Satyagraha (Nasik) for temple entry.
Burnt Manusmriti, a source of social inequality.
Published newspapers: Mooknayak, Bahishkrut Bharat, Janata, and Samata.
Founded the Independent Labour Party and Scheduled Caste Federation.
Embraced Buddhism in 1956 with followers.
Drafted the Constitution of India.

Ramaswamy Naikar (Periyar):

Born in 1879 in Erode, Tamil Nadu.
Joined Congress, followed Gandhi, and participated in the Vykom Satyagraha against untouchability.
Started the Swabhiman Andolan in Tamil Nadu, opposing the varna system and child marriage.
Advocated for women’s rights and family planning.
Known as Periyar for his impactful work.

Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay:

Congress volunteer who convinced Gandhi to include women in the Salt Satyagraha.
Worked for women’s rights, workers, farmers, and agricultural laborers.
Advocated for maternity leave and facilities for women in factories.
Jailed for participating in the Quit India Movement.

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad (Baroda):

Introduced free schooling and hostels for untouchable and tribal students.
Promoted women’s education and physical training centers for women.
Started social programs like community feasts for all castes, village libraries, compulsory primary education, and a ban on child marriage.
Supported widow remarriage, inter-caste marriage, and freedom to choose occupations.
Passed laws for reservations and women’s share in ancestral property.
Opposed Rotibandi, Betibandi, and Vyavasaybandi.

Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj (Kolhapur):

Supported Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s leadership in the Non-Brahminical Movement.
Passed a resolution for free and compulsory primary education.
Promoted equality and social justice.