Question

State your opinion.

Social reforms paved the way for political reforms.

Answer 1

The progress of Indian society was stunted because of superstitions, an orthodox way of life, caste discriminations, false social notions, lack of curiosity, and rationality that prevailed on a large scale. The social reformers who were trained in the modern education system introduced by the British developed a different worldview. They felt the need of creating a new Indian society that cherished the progressive values of ‘Freedom, Equality, Fraternity, and Humanism’. Therefore, they began to work towards creating mass awareness on various social and religious issues.

The contribution of the Indian social reformers who emerged from the first generation of Indians and who studied under the new educational system introduced by the British is very significant. The visionaries in the Indian society were aware that political freedom was not adequate without the internal transformation. It could happen through social and religious reforms. Hence, it is essential that we briefly review the social-religious reform movements.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s efforts were the beginning point of these movements. Later, he tried to improve society through the religious movement of Prarthana Samaj, Satyashodhak Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission. Also Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Ramaswami Naikar, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad, Rajshri Shahu Maharaj emphasized social reforms. Thus, all of these social reformers created a positive picture for the future of our country. It was necessary to build a society with a firm intellectual and rational base for obtaining freedom from British rule. And so on Social reforms paved the way for political reforms.