New Thoughts: New Vision

Western education system was introduced in India during the British rule. New ideas and thoughts started coming to the country.

The progress of Indian society was hampered by undesirable practices such as caste discrimination, gender inequality, sati, child marriage. Modern educated Indian thinkers began to try to change this situation. That was the beginning of the social reform movement.

Raja Rammohan Roy:

Rammohan Roy, the king of the social reform movement in India, was an income promoter.  He had studied Hinduism, Islam and Christianity.  He was adamant that the teachings of all religions were the same.  He strongly criticized the undesirable norms of child marriage and sati.  Through their efforts etc.  C.  In 1829, the British government abolished the Sati Act.

He felt that the society would not prosper without a change in the education system in India. He advocated Western education.

He set up an organization called 'Bramho Samaj' to spread his ideas. He conveyed the message of equality and brotherhood to the society. King Rammohan Roy is called the father of modern India.

Gopal Hari Deshmukh:

Hari Deshmukh used to write in the weekly 'Prabhakar' under the pseudonym 'Lokhitwadi'. He believed that modern education would lead to social reform. He criticized casteism and bigotry in the society. Rewarded the widow. He started the library movement all over Maharashtra. He insisted that only the goods produced in our country should be used.

Swami Dayanand Saraswati:

Swami Dayanand Saraswati was a great thinker who opposed superstition and ritual idolatry in the society. He strongly opposed child marriage and caste discrimination. He was of the view that women have the same right to education as men. He set up an organization called 'Arya Samaj' to spread his ideas to the common people.

Mahatma Jotirao Phule:

Mahatma Phule presented the idea of ​​social reform. He opposed casteism. Schools were set up in Pune to provide education to girls and dalits. He insisted that all people should get modern education. He demanded that primary education should be free and compulsory. He tried to inculcate the values ​​of freedom, equality and brotherhood by setting up an organization called 'Satyashodhak Samaj'. He said that social equality was necessary for the unity and independence of the country. In his writings, Mahatma Phule exposed the injustice done to farmers.

Savitribai Phule:

Savitribai Phule was the first female teacher in India. He taught girls despite the opposition of the society. Raised orphans. Even after the demise of Mahatma Phule, Savitribai continued the work of Satyashodhak Samaj.

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan:

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was instrumental in the upliftment of the Muslim community. There was a lack of Western education in the Muslim society of that time. He emphasized the need for education for the betterment of the Muslim community. He appealed to Muslim women to pursue Western education. He established an educational institution at Aligarh.

Mahadev Govind Ranade:

Justice Ranade was a leading thinker in the social reform movement. He opposed caste discrimination. Advocated for women's education and widowhood. He emphasized the importance of Western education. He constantly strived for the overall upliftment of the society. He wanted industrial progress in India.

Swami Vivekananda:

Swami Vivekananda preached the message of service to mankind to the whole world.  His teaching was that the true religion is to help the poor, to serve the people unselfishly.  He strongly attacked superstitions, rituals, and undesirable customs.  Opposed casteism.  He set up an organization called 'Ramakrishna Mission' to serve the society.

Tarabai Shinde:

Tarabai Shinde exposes the injustice done to women in her book 'Stripurushatulana'.  Criticizing the undesirable norms and traditions, he said that the sufferings of women should be removed and they should get a dignified place in the society.

Pandita Ramabai:

Pandita Ramabai played an important role in improving the condition of women.  He opposed child marriage.  Promoted widowhood.  He set up an organization called 'Sharda Sadan' to educate widows.

Similar ideas of social reform were expressed by Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Vireshlingam Patlu, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, Narayan Guru, Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde, Rajarshi Shahumaharaj etc.  The reform movement was based on the values ​​of modernity and humanity.  This created consciousness in the society.  This gave rise to the national movement.