Social reformers are individuals who worked to eliminate social evils and bring about positive change in society. India has a rich history of social reform movements that fought against practices like sati, child marriage, caste discrimination, and untouchability, and championed education for all ā especially women and the oppressed.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy ā 'Father of Modern India'; founded Brahmo Samaj; abolished Sati.
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar ā championed widow remarriage (Widow Remarriage Act, 1856).
Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule ā pioneered education for girls and lower castes in Maharashtra.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar ā drafted Indian Constitution; champion of Dalit rights.
Dayananda Saraswati ā founded Arya Samaj (1875); 'Back to the Vedas'.
Swami Vivekananda ā Ramakrishna Mission (1897); famous Chicago speech (1893).
E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) ā Self-Respect Movement; opposed caste system in Tamil Nadu.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772ā1833) ā¢ Known as the 'Father of Modern India' and 'Father of Indian Renaissance' ā¢ Founded Brahmo Samaj (1828) ā¢ Fought against Sati (burning of widows) ā got Sati Abolition Act passed in 1829 ā¢ Promoted education for women and English education ā¢ First Indian to use the term 'freedom of press'
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820ā1891) ā¢ Fought for widow remarriage ā Widow Remarriage Act passed in 1856 ā¢ Promoted women's education ā established many girls' schools in Bengal ā¢ Opposed child marriage ā¢ Simplified Bengali script
Swami Vivekananda (1863ā1902) ā¢ Founded Ramakrishna Mission (1897) ā¢ Promoted Vedanta philosophy and Hindu revivalism ā¢ Famous speech at Parliament of World's Religions, Chicago (1893) ā¢ Emphasised service to the poor as service to God ā¢ Believed in universal brotherhood
Jyotiba (Jyotirao) Phule (1827ā1890) ā¢ Led social reform in Maharashtra against caste discrimination ā¢ Founded Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) ā for truth-seeking and equality ā¢ Opened schools for girls and lower castes (with wife Savitribai) ā¢ Worked for farmers' rights and against Brahminical dominance ā¢ Posthumously awarded the title 'Mahatma' by his followers
Savitribai Phule (1831ā1897) ā¢ First female teacher of India ā¢ Along with husband Jyotiba Phule, opened the first school for girls in Pune (1848) ā¢ Worked for rights of women and Dalits ā¢ Fought against child marriage and widowhood
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1891ā1956) ā¢ Born into a Dalit family, faced severe caste discrimination ā¢ India's first Law Minister and chief architect of the Indian Constitution ā¢ Founded Scheduled Castes Federation; converted to Buddhism (1956) ā¢ Fought for rights of Dalits and untouchables ā¢ Burned Manusmriti to protest caste discrimination (1927)
Dayananda Saraswati (1824ā1883) ā¢ Founded Arya Samaj (1875) ā¢ Promoted 'Back to the Vedas' ā opposed idol worship, caste by birth, and social superstitions ā¢ Promoted women's education ā¢ His slogan: 'Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam'
E.V. Ramasamy (Periyar) (1879ā1973) ā¢ Led Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu ā¢ Opposed Brahminical dominance and caste system ā¢ Promoted rationalism and women's rights ā¢ Founded Dravidar Kazhagam party
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817ā1898) ā¢ Social reformer for the Muslim community ā¢ Founded Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh (1875) ā later Aligarh Muslim University ā¢ Promoted modern education among Muslims
Mahatma Gandhi (1869ā1948) ā¢ Fought against untouchability ā called untouchables 'Harijans' ā¢ Championed rights of the poor, women, and marginalised communities ā¢ Promoted hand-spinning (khadi) for self-reliance
Movement | Founder | Focus Brahmo Samaj (1828) | Raja Ram Mohan Roy | Against sati, idol worship; women's education Arya Samaj (1875) | Dayananda Saraswati | Vedic revival; against caste, untouchability Ramakrishna Mission (1897) | Swami Vivekananda | Service to humanity; spiritual education Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) | Jyotiba Phule | Equality; anti-caste; education for lower castes Self-Respect Movement | E.V. Ramasamy | Anti-Brahminism; women's rights; Tamil identity Aligarh Movement | Sir Syed Ahmad Khan | Modern education for Muslims
Raja Ram Mohan Roy is called the Father of Modern India. He fought against the practice of Sati, founded Brahmo Samaj in 1828, promoted women's education, and supported English education and press freedom. He successfully campaigned for the Sati Abolition Act of 1829.
Two major social reformers who fought against the caste system: 1. Jyotiba Phule ā founded Satyashodhak Samaj, opened schools for Dalits and women; 2. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar ā drafted the Indian Constitution, burned Manusmriti in protest, converted to Buddhism to escape caste discrimination.
Savitribai Phule (1831ā1897) was India's first female teacher. Along with her husband Jyotiba Phule, she opened the first school for girls in Pune in 1848. She worked tirelessly for the education of women and children from lower castes, and fought against child marriage and social discrimination.
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