Question

How did the knowledge of ancient texts help the reformers promote new laws?

Answer 1

The reformers believed that changes were necessary in society, and unjust practises needed to be done away with. They thought that the best way to ensure such changes was by persuading people to give up old practises and adopt a new way of life. Whenever they wished to challenge a practise that seemed harmful, they tried to find a verse or a sentence in the ancient sacred texts that supported their point of view. They then suggested that the practise as it existed was against early tradition. For example, Rammohun Roy used ancient texts to show that the practise of sati or widow burning had no sanction. Similarly, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar used ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry.