Women, Caste, and Reform Notes

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 Women, Caste, and Reform Notes



Women and Reform: Raja Ram Mohan Roy's efforts to promote women's education and abolish practices like sati

Caste and Reform: The impact of British rule on the caste system and efforts of reformers like Jyotirao Phule and Periyar to challenge and reform the caste system

Role of Reformers: Promoting women's education and rights, and challenging caste-based discrimination


Important Terms

Sati: A practice where a widow was expected to immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre

Arya Samaj: A Hindu reform movement that sought to promote the Vedas and challenge caste-based discrimination

Brahmo Samaj: A social and religious reform movement that aimed to promote monotheism and challenge caste-based discrimination

Prarthana Samaj: A social reform organization that aimed to promote social and religious reform


Questions and Answers

1. Who was Raja Ram Mohan Roy?

Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a prominent social reformer who worked to abolish practices like sati and promote women's education.

2. What was the Arya Samaj?

The Arya Samaj was a Hindu reform movement that sought to promote the Vedas and challenge caste-based discrimination.

3. What was the role of reformers like Jyotirao Phule and Periyar in challenging the caste system?

Reformers like Jyotirao Phule and Periyar worked to challenge and reform the caste system, promoting social equality and justice.

4. What was the impact of British rule on the caste system?

British rule had a significant impact on the caste system, leading to changes in social and economic relationships and challenging traditional caste-based hierarchies.


Important Dates and Events

1813: Sati painted by Balthazar Solvyn, highlighting the practice

1829: Abolition of Sati by Governor-General Lord William Bentinck, thanks to Raja Ram Mohan Roy's efforts

1840: Paramhans Mandali founded in Bombay to work towards abolition of caste

1848: Establishment of Bethune School in Calcutta, one of the earliest schools for girls in India

1849: John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune founded Bethune School

1856: Passing of the Widow Remarriage Act, allowing Hindu widows to remarry, thanks to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's advocacy

1860: Widow Remarriage Association founded by Pandit Vishnu Shastri to advocate for widow remarriage

1864: Veda Samaj established in Madras to promote social and religious reform

1867: Prarthana Samaj founded in Bombay to promote monotheism, social equality, and women's education

1873: Jyotirao Phule wrote "Gulamgiri" (Slavery), critiquing caste discrimination

1875: Arya Samaj established by Swami Dayanand Saraswati to promote Vedic values and social reform

1875: Aligarh Movement initiated by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to modernize Muslim education

1880s: Indian women began attending universities, pursuing careers as doctors and teachers

1922: Mukti Mission established by Pandita Ramabai to promote women's education and rights

1927-1935: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar led temple entry movements to challenge caste-based restrictions

1929: Child Marriage Restraint Act passed to prevent child marriages, setting minimum age limits for marriage

1932: Sakhawat Memorial Girls' School founded by Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain


Reformers and Their Contributions

Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Abolition of Sati, promotion of women's education

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Widow Remarriage Act, women's education

Jyotirao Phule: Education for lower castes, Satyashodhak Samaj

Pandita Ramabai: Women's education, Mukti Mission

Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain: Women's education, schools for Muslim girls

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Dalit rights, temple entry movements, Indian Constitution

Periyar (E.V. Ramasamy): Self-Respect Movement, challenging caste discrimination


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