Modern education introduced by the British, gave birth to a new Indian middle class, that led to the emergence of reformist movements in order to transform the society. A realization of the special needs of modern times, especially in terms of scientific knowledge, and thus, promoting a modern, secular, and rational outlook was a major contribution of these reform movements.
NEED FOR REFORM AND MOVEMENTS
The timing of the initiation of the Socio-Religious Reform Movements in the early part of the 19th century was the net result of mutual contact and interaction between the West and the East. This resulted in the development of introspection among intellectual Indians, who realized that Indian society was regressive and decadent and was in the grip of social evils and superstition, and freedom from all the evils was an urgent necessity. The person, who initiated the process of intellectual and cultural awakening, was Raja Rammohan Roy. He was followed by a galaxy of intellectuals, like Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Keshub Chandra Sen, Syed Ahmad Khan, Swami Dayananda, Vivekananda, etc. The features of Indian society at that time (beginning of the 19th century) were divisions and inequalities created by the Caste system and the oppression of women in human practices and customs. From the early decades of the 19th century, there was a growing awareness in all parts of the country about the backwardness of Indian society and the need to better the same.
The movements of social reform, which arose in all parts of the country and in every religious community, were, therefore, also movements of religious reforms. The reformers were deeply influenced by the ideas of rationalism and humanism.