Question

Explain the contribution of Social Reformers for the eradication of social evils.

Answer 1

The contribution of the social reformers for the eradication of social evils is listed below.

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy:

1. Raja Rammohan Roy was the pioneer of the Indian social reform movement by abolishing sati in 1829 with the help of Lord William Bentinck.
2. He also protested against the child marriage and female infanticide and favoured the remarriage of widows.

• Ishwar Chandra Vidhyasagar:

1. Ishwar Chandra Vidhyasagar carried on the movement for female education, widow remarriage, and the abolition of polygamy in Bengal.
2. He was instrumental in the passing of the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act in 1856.
3.  His son Narayanachandra set an example to others by marrying a widow of his choice.

•  Kandukuri Veeresalingam:

1. Veeresalingam Pantulu published a journal Viveka Vardhan.
2. He opened his first girls’ school in 1874 and made widow remarriage and female education the key points of his programme for social reform.

• M.G. Ranade and B.M. Malabari:

1. In Bombay Presidency, M.G. Ranade and B.M. Malabari carried on the movement
   for the upliftment of women.
2. In 1869, Ranade joined the Widow Remarriage Association and encouraged widow remarriage and female education.
3. He opposed child marriage.
4. In 1884, B.M. Malabari, a journalist, started a movement for the abolition of child marriage.

• Gopal Krishna Gokhale:
  In 1905, Gopal Krishna Gokhale started the Servants of India Society to reform the society with various measures.
  
• Periyar E.V.R:
  Periyar E.V.R. was one of the greatest social reformers of Tamil Nadu. He advocated upliftment of women education, widow remarriage and opposed child marriages.
  
• Women Reformers:

1. In 1889, Pandita Ramabai opened Sarada Sadan for Hindu widows in Bombay.
2. Dr Annie Besant established Theosophical society to the developed general social reform programme.
3. Dr S.Dharmambal showed great interest in implementing widow remarriage and women education.
4. Moovalur Ramamirdham Ammaiyar opposed the Devadasi system along with Dr Muthulakshmi Ammaiyar.