Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 261 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
Brahmo Samaj (Raja Ram mohan Roy (RRMR)) and Arya Samaj (Dayanand Saraswati) played immense role in social reforms movements in pre-Independence period.
Body · points
Role played in addressing social issues
A) Brahmo Samaj
(1) Spread of egalitarian & liberal values like equality, fraternity etc.
(2) Focus on modern and rational outlook. Ex: Opposition to Purdah system.
(3) Ban on social ill practices Ex: Sati (1829; William Bentick)
(4) Participation of women into mainstream and ultimately into freedom struggle (Ex: Rathmabai: 1st female doctor)
(5) Development of social leaders like Debendranath Tagore, etc.
(6) Promotion of literacy and Indic press. Ex: RRMR's Sambad Kaumudi
(7) Helped in regaining social dignity to Dalits and untouchables
(8) Set the base for future reforms like Arya mahila samaj, AIWC, etc.
B) Arya samaj (Revivalist + Reformist)
(1) "Back to vedas": Focus on Individual Experiences over Rituals.
(2) Anti-Slavery and Anti-untouchability Reform (Gandhiji: Shashtras don't sanction untouchability)
(3) Idol worship was discouraged
(4) Vedantic philosophy and upanishads were popularized (later by Vivekananda)
(5) critical role of social Reform which led to promotion of unity & Spirit of nationalism in Indians.
Challenges faced
(1) severe British controls (to check spread of revolutionary Ideals)
(2) British dependence (Ex: Sati Abolition by Bentick)
(3) Limited social base due to lack of mass literacy.
(4) Factionalism & inner politics Ex: KC Sen @ Brahmo Samaj.
(5) Duplicity and multiplicity of similar organizations.
Close · a summary
Thus; even despite above challenges, the role played by both orgs can't be emphasized enough: not only social Reforms but later in unification and Freedom struggle.