Social Reforms Movements in Hindu Community : Brahma Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ram Krishna Mission, Prarthann Samaj and Theosophical Society of India.

<2/”>a >Reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Jyotiba Phule, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Pandita Ramabai understood that ignorance and backwardness in the Society was responsible for hindering its progress and development. They studied the religious scriptures and criticized the prevalent religious and social practices. According to them, society should be based on the concepts of Liberty and Equality both for men and Women and this was possible only by the spread of modern and scientific Education especially among the women.These movements came to be called socio-religious movement because the reformers felt that no change is possible in a society without reforming the religion.

Raja Rammohan Roy’s  efforts to fight the social evils were  supported by the then Governor General of India, Sir William Bentinck. A law was passed in 1829 making Sati illegal and punishable. He also made efforts to advocate widow re-marriage and condemned child marriage. He advocated the importance of Vedas in reforming religion and upheld the fundamental unity among all religions.He started a campaign for the abolition of sati, condemned polygamy and concubinage, denounced casteism, advocated the rights of Hindu widows to remarry. He rejected Christianity . denied the divinity of Jesus Christ , but accepted the humanism of Europe Thus, Rammohan Roy sought to effect a cultural synthesis between the East and the West.

The Arya Samaj founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875 undertook the task of reforming Hindu religion in North India. He considered Vedas to be infallible and the foundation of all knowledge. He rejected all those religious thoughts which were in conflict with the Vedas. He believed that every person had the right to have direct access to God.He disregarded the authority of the later Hindu scriptures like the Puranas and described them as the work of lesser men a responsible for the evil practices of idol worship and other superstitious beliefs in hindu religion. Dayanand condemned idol worship and preached unity of Godhead.

Ramakrishna Paramhansa (1836-1886) highlighted the essential unity of religions and the need to lead a spiritual life. He believed that the different religions of the world are only different ways to reach the same god.Ramakrishna Mission are based on ancient and traditional concepts amidst increasing westernization and modernization. The Mission was conceived and founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897, eleven years after the death of Ramkrishna. He considered and emphasized that Krishna, Hari , Rama, Christ, Allah are different names for the same God. Unlike the Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission recognizes the utility and value of image worship in developing spiritual fervor and worship of the Eternal Omnipotent God.

Swami Vivekanand believed in the spirit of Vedanta and the essential unity and equality of all religions. He laid Stress on the removal of religious superstitions, obscurantism, and outdated social customs. He tried to remove caste rigidities, and untouchability. He motivated the people to respect women while he himself worked for women’s upliftment and education. Vivekananda attached primary importance to the removal of ignorance among the people.

On 7 September 1875, HPB, Col. Olcott and W. Q. Judge, together with several others, formed a Society which they chose to call The Theosophical Society, for promulgating the ancient teachings of Theosophy, or the Wisdom concerning the Divine which had been the spiritual basis of other great movements of the past, such as Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, and the Mystery Schools of the classical world. The influence of Theosophical Society spread under Annie Beasant in 1893 who played an important role in India’s struggle for freedom. She and her associates advocated the revival and strengthening of the ancient religions of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism. The members of that his society believe that a special relationship can be established between a persons soul and God by comtemplation, prayer , revelations etc. The Society accepts the Hindu beliefs in reincarnationtion. Krma and draws inspiration from the philosophy of the Upanishads and Samkhya, Yoga/”>Yoga and Vedanta School of though. It aims to work for universal Brotherhood of Humanity without distinction of race, creed., sex, caste or colour. The Society also seeks to investigate the unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in man. The Theosophical Movement came to be allied with Hindu Renaissance.

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The Hindu community has a long and rich history of social reform movements. These movements have sought to address a variety of issues, including caste discrimination, women’s rights, and religious freedom.

One of the earliest and most influential social reform movements in the Hindu community was the Brahma Samaj. The Brahma Samaj was founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. Roy was a Bengali social reformer who was critical of the caste system and the practice of sati (widow burning). The Brahma Samaj advocated for social reform and religious Tolerance. It also promoted education and women’s rights.

Another important social reform movement in the Hindu community was the Arya Samaj. The Arya Samaj was founded in 1875 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Saraswati was a Hindu reformer who was critical of idol worship and the caste system. The Arya Samaj advocated for a return to the Vedic religion and for social reform. It also promoted education and women’s rights.

The Ram Krishna Mission was founded in 1886 by Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda was a Hindu monk who was inspired by the teachings of Ramakrishna Paramhansa. The Ram Krishna Mission is a Hindu monastic order that promotes social service and religious education. It also works to improve the lives of the poor and the marginalized.

The Prarthann Samaj was founded in 1867 by Keshab Chandra Sen. Sen was a Bengali social reformer who was critical of the caste system and the practice of sati. The Prarthann Samaj advocated for social reform and religious tolerance. It also promoted education and women’s rights.

The Theosophical Society of India was founded in 1875 by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott. The Theosophical Society is a religious organization that promotes the study of comparative religion, philosophy, and science. It also works to promote social reform and education.

These are just a few of the many social reform movements that have taken place in the Hindu community. These movements have had a significant impact on the lives of Hindus around the world. They have helped to improve the status of women, the poor, and the marginalized. They have also promoted education, religious tolerance, and social Justice.

The Hindu community is a diverse and vibrant community with a long history of social reform. These movements have helped to make the Hindu community a more inclusive and just society.

Brahma Samaj

  • What is the Brahma Samaj?
    The Brahma Samaj is a Hindu reform movement founded in 1828 by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. It aimed to reform Hinduism by removing its polytheistic and superstitious Elements, and to promote monotheism, rationalism, and social reform.

  • Who was Raja Ram Mohan Roy?
    Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a Bengali polymath who is considered the father of modern India. He was a social reformer, religious leader, and philosopher. He founded the Brahma Samaj, a Hindu reform movement, and played a key role in the abolition of sati, the practice of widow burning.

  • What were the main goals of the Brahma Samaj?
    The main goals of the Brahma Samaj were to reform Hinduism by removing its polytheistic and superstitious elements, and to promote monotheism, rationalism, and social reform.

  • What were some of the achievements of the Brahma Samaj?
    The Brahma Samaj achieved a number of successes, including the abolition of sati, the establishment of schools and colleges, and the publication of religious texts.

  • What were some of the challenges faced by the Brahma Samaj?
    The Brahma Samaj faced a number of challenges, including opposition from orthodox Hindus, lack of financial Resources, and internal divisions.

Arya Samaj

  • What is the Arya Samaj?
    The Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement founded in 1875 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati. It aimed to revive the Vedic religion and to reform Hinduism by removing its polytheistic and superstitious elements.

  • Who was Swami Dayananda Saraswati?
    Swami Dayananda Saraswati was a Hindu reformer and philosopher. He was the founder of the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. He is also known for his translation of the Vedas into Hindi.

  • What were the main goals of the Arya Samaj?
    The main goals of the Arya Samaj were to revive the Vedic religion and to reform Hinduism by removing its polytheistic and superstitious elements.

  • What were some of the achievements of the Arya Samaj?
    The Arya Samaj achieved a number of successes, including the establishment of schools and colleges, the publication of religious texts, and the promotion of widow remarriage.

  • What were some of the challenges faced by the Arya Samaj?
    The Arya Samaj faced a number of challenges, including opposition from orthodox Hindus, lack of financial resources, and internal divisions.

Ram Krishna Mission

  • What is the Ram Krishna Mission?
    The Ram Krishna Mission is a Hindu religious organization founded in 1897 by Swami Vivekananda. It is based on the teachings of Ramakrishna, a Bengali mystic and saint.

  • Who was Swami Vivekananda?
    Swami Vivekananda was an Indian Hindu monk and philosopher. He was the chief disciple of Ramakrishna, a Bengali mystic and saint. He is best known for his contributions to the Hindu Renaissance in India and for his participation in the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

  • What were the main goals of the Ram Krishna Mission?
    The main goals of the Ram Krishna Mission are to spread the teachings of Ramakrishna, to promote social service, and to foster interfaith understanding.

  • What were some of the achievements of the Ram Krishna Mission?
    The Ram Krishna Mission has achieved a number of successes, including the establishment of schools and hospitals, the publication of religious texts, and the promotion of interfaith understanding.

  • What were some of the challenges faced by the Ram Krishna Mission?
    The Ram Krishna Mission has faced a number of challenges, including opposition from orthodox Hindus, lack of financial resources, and internal divisions.

Prarthana Samaj

  • What is the Prarthana Samaj?
    The Prarthana Samaj is a Hindu reform movement founded in 1867 by Mahadev Govind Ranade. It aimed to reform Hinduism by removing its polytheistic and superstitious elements, and to promote monotheism, rationalism, and social reform.

  • Who was Mahadev Govind Ranade?
    Mahadev Govind Ranade was an Indian social reformer, economist, and politician. He was one of the founders of the Prarthana Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. He is also known for his work on Indian economics and for his role in the Indian independence movement.

  • What were the main goals of the Prarthana Samaj?
    The main goals of the Prarthana Samaj were to reform Hinduism by removing its polytheistic and superstitious elements, and to promote monotheism, rationalism, and social reform.

  • What were some of the achievements of the Prarthana Samaj?
    The Prarthana Samaj achieved a number of successes, including the establishment of schools and colleges, the publication of

Question 1

Which of the following social reform movements was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy?

(A) Brahma Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Ram Krishna Mission
(D) Prarthann Samaj
(E) Theosophical Society of India

Answer
(A)

Question 2

Which of the following social reform movements was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati?

(A) Brahma Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Ram Krishna Mission
(D) Prarthann Samaj
(E) Theosophical Society of India

Answer
(B)

Question 3

Which of the following social reform movements was founded by Ramakrishna Paramhansa?

(A) Brahma Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Ram Krishna Mission
(D) Prarthann Samaj
(E) Theosophical Society of India

Answer
(C)

Question 4

Which of the following social reform movements was founded by Keshub Chandra Sen?

(A) Brahma Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Ram Krishna Mission
(D) Prarthann Samaj
(E) Theosophical Society of India

Answer
(D)

Question 5

Which of the following social reform movements was founded by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott?

(A) Brahma Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Ram Krishna Mission
(D) Prarthann Samaj
(E) Theosophical Society of India

Answer
(E)

Question 6

Which of the following social reform movements was most concerned with the upliftment of women?

(A) Brahma Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Ram Krishna Mission
(D) Prarthann Samaj
(E) Theosophical Society of India

Answer
(A)

Question 7

Which of the following social reform movements was most concerned with the revival of Hinduism?

(B) Arya Samaj

Answer
(B)

Question 8

Which of the following social reform movements was most concerned with the spread of education?

(C) Ram Krishna Mission

Answer
(C)

Question 9

Which of the following social reform movements was most concerned with the promotion of inter-faith dialogue?

(E) Theosophical Society of India

Answer
(E)

Question 10

Which of the following social reform movements had the greatest impact on Indian Society?

(A) Brahma Samaj
(B) Arya Samaj
(C) Ram Krishna Mission
(D) Prarthann Samaj
(E) Theosophical Society of India

Answer
(A)