“The dual struggle against entrenched social customs and colonial dominance was a prominent feature of socio-religious reform movements in 19th century India.” How did the socio-religious reform movements of 19th century India respond to colonial cultural and ideological hegemony?

Role of Socio-Religious reform movements

1. Increased confidence in our traditions and ancient civilisational ethos.
2. Revivalist movement led by Arya Samaj gave slogan of "Back to Vedas".
3. They highlighted the progressive values of our civilisations: tolerance, women equality, caste equality etc.
4. They highlighted the social evils which had corrupted our cultural ethos.

1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy → polygamy, idolatry Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar → widow remarriage, sati issue Jyotiba Phule → rights of untouchables

2. Some reforms also sought to reconcile eastern spiritualism with western rationalism e.g. Swami Vivekananda's Neo-hinduism.

3. They exposed the British hypocrisies and ethnocentrism by exposing their racism against Indians.

4. Sought to unite people under a larger national identity: Narayan Guru's 'One religion, one god, one caste' idea.

5. They demanded reforms from the colonial regime: banning of sati, female infanticide etc.

6. They raised awareness in society empowering people to raise their voice against British rule.