Reasons of multiple reform movements in India in 1900s

The 1900s was an era of great change and tumult for India. This gave rise to reform movements in India. The presence of colonial forces in India united Indians, and led them to discovering their own roots and traditions, customs etc. A lot of these reform movements sought to revive Indian practises and create awareness among the people about India’s glorious historical heritage. Indian elites and middle classes were educated on western thought, and this opened their eyes to the oppressive Indian practices. Western education led to the advent of a new liberal middle class that sought to transform Indian society.  The rising tide of nationalism and democracy was given vent to through reform movements. Also, there was a plethora of evils that affected Indian society such as the practise of sati, untouchability, superstitions, casteism, exploitation of women etc. The Indians who sought to eradicate such evils knew they had to create awareness among the people to achieve the complete abolishment of such practices, and they choose to reach the masses by starting reform movements. Thus, education, spread of western thought etc led Indians to acknowledge that Indian society was in dire need of reformation, and such proactive Indians sought to change Indian society by way of reform movements.


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