SOCIO RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENT

SOCIO RELIGIOUS REFORM MOVEMENTS

1.Who was the founder of Brahma Samaj? Narrate the principles of Brahma Samaj.

            Raj Ram Mohan Roy was the founder of Brahama Samaj.

The Brahma Samaj rejected idol worship and believed in one God, where people of all castes and religions could assemble together and pray. It opposed image worship, superstitions, and unscientific religious customs practised in Indian society.

2. Who was the founder of Arya Samaj? What are the teachings of Dayananda Saraswati?

            Dayananda Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj.

            He tried to reform Hindu Society on the basis of Vedic thoughts. He gave a call ‘back to the Vedas’. He condemned caste system, untouchability and idol worship and stressed on the education of girls.

3. Who was the founder of Satya Shodak Samaj? What are the teachings/principles of Sathyashodhak Samaj?

Jotirao Phule was he founder of Satya Shodak Samaj.

            The main objective of Samaj was securing social justice and human rights for the exploited. It was against child marriage and exploitation of the widows.

4. Give an account of the services rendered by the Ramakrishna Mission.

            Ramakrishna Mission opened many orphanages, schools, colleges and hospitals. In times of floods, famine and epidemic outbreaks, the Mission has helped people and consoled them.

5. What are the main principles of the Theosophical Society?

            The main principle of Theosophical Society was to inculcate the spirit of equality and brotherhood among all. They also strove to teach about the values embedded in Indian religions and philosophy. They believed that the soul has no gender and men and women are equal. The Society preached compassion for all beings.

6. Who was the founder of Aligarh Movement?What were main aims of the Aligarh Movement?

            Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the founder of the Aligarh movement. The main aims of the movement were:

·         to create an awakening among the Muslims of India.

·         to change the outdated, unorthodox political, social, educational and religious beliefs of the Muslims

·         to strive for the fusion of Eastern and Western thoughts.

7. Why did the social reform movement take place in the 19^th century?

The British rule brought about peace and security in the country and provided a conducive atmosphere for the self –introspection among the educated Indians. The western rationality acquired through English education gave them the tool to question the superstitious practices of the people. The western culture gave primary importance to those feelings of the individuals that were based on logic and reason and tried to make him free from the outside bondages of religion and superstition. The Indians grasped the essence of western rationality because it was also the heritage of ancient India. Western concepts like democracy, liberty, equality and nationalism awakened the Indians. Superstitions gave way to scientific approach. Hence the 19^th century is known as the Age of Renaissance in the history of modern India.

FOUNDERS                                                                MOVEMENT

1. RAJA RAMMOHAN ROY                                      THE BRAHMA SAMAJ

2. DAYANAND SARAWATHI                                               THE ARYA SAMAJ   

3. DR. ATHMARAM  PANDURANG                         THE PRARTHANA SAMAJ

4. JOTHIRAO PHULE                                                 THE SATHYA SHODHAK SAMAJ

5. SWAMI VIVEKANANDA                                      THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION

6. MADAM BLAVATSKY & COL. OLCOTT                        THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

7. SIR SYED AHMED KHAN                                     THE ALIGARH MOVEMENT