Famous Social Reformers

Key Reformers and their Contributions

1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

• Born: 1772, Radhanagar Khanakhul
• Died: 1833, Bristol in England
• Contributions:
  • Founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 to promote monotheism and rationalism.
  • Advocated for Sati prohibition and succeeded in getting it abolished in 1829.
  • Promoted women’s education and social equality.
  • Introduced Western education and modern printing in India.
• Key Terms:
  • Brahmo Samaj: A reformist movement that rejected idolatry and emphasized the Vedas.
  • Sati: The practice of a widow burning herself on her husband’s funeral pyre.
• Important Date: 1829 – Sati abolished by the British Government.
• SSC/RRB Focus: Contribution to social reform, Sati abolition, Brahmo Samaj.

2. Dayananda Saraswati

• Born: 1824, Gujarat
• Died: 1883, Ajmer
• Contributions:
  • Founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.
  • Advocated for Vedanta philosophy, rejection of idol worship, and reform of social evils.
  • Promoted education for women and caste equality.
• Key Terms:
  • Arya Samaj: A Hindu reform movement emphasizing the authority of the Vedas.
  • Vedanta: A school of Hindu philosophy that focuses on the nature of reality and the self.
• SSC/RRB Focus: Arya Samaj, Vedanta, social evils, education.

3. Jyotirao Phule

• Born: 1827, Sattara
• Died: 1890, Pune
• Contributions:
  • Founded the Satya Shodhak Samaj in 1873 to promote social equality and caste abolition.
  • Advocated for women’s rights and education.
  • Wrote “Shudhi” (1870) and “Karmayog” (1876) to challenge caste discrimination.
• Key Terms:
  • Satya Shodhak Samaj: A movement for social reform, particularly against caste discrimination.
  • Shudhi: A book criticizing the caste system and advocating for the upliftment of lower castes.
• SSC/RRB Focus: Satya Shodhak Samaj, caste abolition, women’s rights.

4. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

• Born: 1820, Meidinipur West Bengal
• Died: 1891, Kolkata West Bengal
• Contributions:
  • Advocated for women’s education and marriage reforms.
  • Played a key role in the legalization of widow remarriage through the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856.
  • Founded the Bengal British School and promoted modern education.
• Key Terms:
  • Widow Remarriage Act of 1856: A law allowing widows to remarry.
  • Bengal British School: A school established to promote modern education.
• SSC/RRB Focus: Widow remarriage, education, modernization.

5. Keshab Chandra Sen

• Born: 1838, Calcutta
• Died: 1884, Calcutta
• Contributions:
  • Joined Brahmo Samaj in 1856.
  • Founded Brahmo Samaj of India in 1866
  • Advocated for social equality, women’s education, and rejection of idolatry.
  • Promoted interfaith harmony and rationalism.
• Key Terms:
  • Brahmo Sabha: A reformist group that later evolved into the Brahmo Samaj.
  • Rationalism: Emphasis on reason and logic over tradition.
• SSC/RRB Focus: Brahmo Samaj, rationalism, social equality.

6. Mahatma Gandhi

• Born: 1869, Porbandar
• Died: 1948, Delhi
• Contributions:
  • Advocated for non-violence, self-reliance, and social equality.
  • Promoted untouchability abolition and women’s rights.
  • Led the Salt March (1930) and other movements for independence and social reform.
• Key Terms:
  • Non-violence (Ahimsa): A principle of non-violent resistance.
  • Satyagraha: A form of non-violent protest and resistance.
• SSC/RRB Focus: Non-violence, untouchability, women’s rights, Salt March.

7. Raja Ram Mohan Roy vs. Dayananda Saraswati

8. Important Dates and Terms

• 1829: Sati abolished by the British Government.
• 1856: Widow Remarriage Act passed.
• 1875: Arya Samaj founded by Dayananda Saraswati.
• 1873: Satya Shodhak Samaj founded by Jyotirao Phule.
• 1851: Brahmo Sabha founded by Keshab Chandra Sen.
• 1891: Death of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
• 1930: Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi.

9. Common Exam Questions

• Who abolished Sati? Raja Ram Mohan Roy
• Which movement opposed caste discrimination? Satya Shodhak Samaj
• Who founded the Arya Samaj? Dayananda Saraswati
• What was the main contribution of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar? Widow Remarriage Act
• Who led the Salt March? Mahatma Gandhi
• What is the principle of non-violence called? Ahimsa or Satyagraha

10. Summary Table