Social reformers of India

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(March 2012)
India has a rich history of social reformers who have helped establish the foundations of modern
India, and, in some cases, have affected a world wide impact through political action and
philosophic teachings. Especially given India's leaning towards oral and mythical rather than a
written tradition throughout much of its history it is almost impossible to put together an
exhaustive list of social reformers who have lived through the ages. Below are some of them.
Contents [hide]
1 Basaveshwara
2 Srimanta Sankardev
3 Raja Ram Mohan Roy
4 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi MAHATMA GANDHI
5 Kabir
6 Virchand Gandhi
7 Swami Vivekananda
8 Jamnalal Bajaj
9 Vinoba Bhave
10 Baba Amte
11 Shriram Sharma Acharya
12 Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
13 Dhondo Keshav Karve
14 Balshastri Jambhekar
15 Dr.B. R. Ambedkar
16 Annie Besant
17 Vitthal Ramji Shinde
18 Gopal Hari Deshmukh
19 Kandukuri Veeresalingam
20 Jawaharlal Nehru
21 Vijaypal Baghel
22 Periyar E. V. Ramasamy
23 Pandurang Shastri Athavle
24 See also
25 References
Basaveshwara[edit]
Basava(11341196), also known as Bhakti Bhandari Basavanna or Basaveshwara was a
philosopher, Statesman and a social reformer from present-day Karnataka, India. Basava fought
against the inhuman practice of caste system, which discriminated people based on their birth,
and certain rituals in Hinduism. He spread social awareness through his poetry, popularly known
as Vachanaas. Basavanna used Ishtalinga to eradicate untouchability, establish equality among
all human beings and a means to attain spiritual enlightenment. These are rational and
progressive social thoughts coupled with established perception of God in Hindu society. He was
a great philosopher.
Srimanta Sankardev[edit]
Srimanta Sankardev(14491568), was a 15th-16th century Assamese polymath: a saint-scholar,
poet, playwright, social-religious reformer and a colossal figure in the socio-cultural and religious
history of Assam, India. He is credited with building on past cultural relics and devising new forms
of music (Borgeet), plays (Ankia Naat), theatrical performance (Bhaona), dance (Sattriya), literary
language (Brajavali). Besides, he has left an entensive literary ouvre of transcreated scriptures
(Bhagavat of Sankardev), poetry and theological works written in Sanskrit, Assamese and

Brajavali. The Bhagavatic religious movement he started, Ekasarana Dharma and also called
Neo-Vaishnavite movement,[3] influenced two medieval kingdoms---Koch and the Ahom
kingdoms---and the assembly of devotees he initiated evolved into Sattras over time, which
continue to be important socio-religious institutions in Assam and to a lesser extend in North
Bengal. Sankardev inspired bhakti in Assam just as Guru Nanak, Ramananda, Kabir, Basava and
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inspired it elsewhere. His literary and artistic contributions are living
traditions in Assam today. The religion he preached is practiced by a large population, and Sattras
(monasteries) that he and his followers established continue to flourish and sustain his legacy.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy[edit]
'Raja Ram Mohan Roy' (May 22, 1772 September 27, 1833) was a founder of the Brahma
Sabha in 1828 which engendered the Brahmo Samaj, an influential Indian socio-religious reform
movement. He is best known for his efforts to abolish the practice of 'sati' It was he who first
introduced the word "Hinduism" into the English language in 1816. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is
regarded as one of the most important figures in the Indian Renaissance. Ram Mohan Roy's
impact on modern Indian history was a revival of the pure and ethical principles .
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi MAHATMA GANDHI[edit]
Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India
during the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of 'satyagraha'resistance to
tyranny through mass civil disobedience, firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non violence
which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the
world. Gandhi led nationwide campaigns to ease poverty, expand women's rights, build religious
and ethnic amity, end untouchability, and increase economic self-reliance
Kabir[edit]
Main article: Kabir
Kabr (also Kabra) (Hindi: , Punjabi: , Urdu: ( )15181440)[1][2][3][4] was a
mystic poet and sant of India, whose writings have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement. The
name Kabir comes from Arabic al-Kabr which means 'The Great' the 37th name of God in
Islam.
Kabir was influenced by the prevailing religious mood of his times, such as old Brahmanic
Hinduism, Tantrism, the teachings of Nath yogis and the personal devotionalism of South India
mixed with the imageless God of Islam.[5] The influence of these various doctrines is clearly
evident in Kabir's verses. Eminent historians like R.C. Majumdar, P.N. Chopra, B.N. Puri and M.N.
Das have held that Kabir is the first Indian saint to have harmonised Hinduism and Islam by
preaching a universal path which both Hindus and Muslims could tread together.[6]
Virchand Gandhi[edit]
Main article: Virchand Gandhi
Virchand Gandhi was from Mahuva. He advocated female education. He is a 19th-century Indian
patriot who was a friend of Mahatma Gandhi and contemporary to Swami Vivekanand. He and
swami vivekananda drew equal attention at the first World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in
1893. He won a silver medal in same. His statue still stands at the Jain temple in Chicago. He
was key member of Indian National Congress. And as a reformer established.
Society for the Education of Women in India (SEWI). Under the banner of SEWI, several Indian
women came to U.S.A. for higher studies.
Gandhi Philosophical Society,
School of Oriental Philosophy,
Jain Literature Society in London. And he delivered 535 lectures in USA and Europe. He also died
at age of 37 alike Swami Vivekanand. Today Government of India has recognised his service by
issuing postal stamp in his memory.
Swami Vivekananda[edit]
Main article: Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda (January 12, 1863 July 4, 1902) was the founder of Ramakrishna Mission.

Swami Vivekananda was also known as a great scholar. His real name was Narendra Nath Dutta.
Vivekananda is considered to be a major force in the revival of Hinduism in modern India. He was
considered a key figure in the introduction of Vedanta and Yoga in Europe and America. He
introduced Hinduism at the Parliament of the World's Religions at Chicago in 1893.
Jamnalal Bajaj[edit]
Main article: Jamnalal Bajaj
Jamnalal Bajaj: (4 November 1884 11 February 1942) was an industrialist, a philanthropist, and
Indian independence fighter.[7] Gandhi is known to have adopted him as his son. He is known for
this efforts of promoting Khadi and village Industries in India. With the intent of eradicating
untouchability, he fought the non admission of Harijans into Hindu temples. He began a campaign
by eating a meal with Harijans and opening public wells to them. He opened several wells in his
fields and gardens. Jamanalal dedicated much of his wealth to the poor. He felt this inherited
wealth was a sacred trust to be used for the benefit of the people. In honour of his social
initiatives a well known national and international award called Jamnalal Bajaj Award has been
instituted by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation.
Vinoba Bhave[edit]
Main article: Vinoba Bhave
Vinoba Bhave: (September 11, 1895 - November 15, 1982) was an Indian advocate of
Nonviolence and human rights. He is considered as the spiritual successor of Mahatma Gandhi.
Vinoba Bhave was a scholar, thinker, writer who produced numerous books, translator who made
Sanskrit texts accessible to common man, orator, linguist who had excellent command of several
languages (Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sanskrit), and a social reformer. He wrote brief
introductions to, and criticisms of, several religious and philosophical works like the Bhagavad
Gita, works of Adi Shankaracharya, the Bible and Quran. His criticism of Dnyaneshwar's poetry
as also the output by other Marathi saints is quite brilliant and a testimony to the breadth of his
intellect. A university named after him Vinoba Bhave University is still there in the state of
Jharkhand spreading knowledge even after his death.
Baba Amte[edit]
Main article: Baba Amte
Baba Amte (December 26, 1914 February 9, 2008) was an Indian social worker and social
activist known particularly for his work for the rehabilitation and empowerment of poor people
suffering from leprosy. He spent some time at Sevagram ashram of Mahatma Gandhi, and
became a follower of Gandhism for the rest of his life. He believed in Gandhi's concept of a selfsufficient village industry that empowers seemingly helpless people, and successfully brought his
ideas into practice at Anandwan. He practiced various aspects of Gandhism, including yarn
spinning using a charkha and wearing khadi. Amte founded three ashrams for treatment and
rehabilitation of leprosy patients, disabled people, and people from marginalized sections of the
society in Maharashtra, India.
Shriram Sharma Acharya[edit]
for main article go to Shriram Sharma Acharya
Shriram Sharma Acharya (September 20, 1911 June 2, 1990) was an Indian seer, sage, Indian
social worker, a philanthropist, a visionary of the New Golden Era and the Founder of the All
World Gayatri Pariwar. He devoted his life to the welfare of people and the refinement of the
moral and cultural environment. He pioneered the revival of spirituality, creative integration of the
modern and ancient sciences and religion relevant in the challenging circumstances of the
present times. To help people, his aim was to diagnose the root cause of the ailing state of the
world today and enable the upliftment of society. Acharyaji recognized the crisis of faith, peoples
ignorance of the powers of the inner self, and the lack of righteous attitude and conduct. During
1984-1986, he carried out the unique spiritual experiment of sukshmikaraa, meaning sublimation
of vital force and physical, mental and spiritual energies.
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar[edit]

for main article go to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (18201891) was a philosopher, academic, educator, writer,
translator, printer, publisher, entrepreneur, reformer, and philanthropist. His efforts to simplify and
modernize Bangla prose were significant. He was a Bengali polymath and a key figure of the
Bengal Renaissance. Vidyasagar championed the uplift of the status of women in India,
particularly in his native Bengal. Unlike some other reformers who sought to set up alternative
societies or systems, he sought, however, to transform orthodox Hindu society from within.
Vidyasagar introduced the practice of widow remarriages to mainstream Hindu society. In earlier
times, remarriages of widows would occur sporadically only among progressive members of the
Brahmo Samj.
Dhondo Keshav Karve[edit]
for main article go to Dhondo Keshav Karve
Dhondo Keshav Karve (April 18, 1858 - November 9, 1962) was a social reformer of his time in
India in the field of women's welfare. Karve was one of the pioneers of promoting women's
education and the right for widows to remarry in India. The Government of India recognized his
reform work by awarding him its highest civilian award, Bhrat Ratna, in 1958 (Incidentally his
centennial year). The appellation Maharshi, which the Indian public often assigned to Karve,
means a great sage. Those who knew Karve affectionately called him as Ann Karve. (In
Marthi-speaking community, to which Karve belonged, the appellation Ann is often used to
address either one's father or an elder brother.)
Balshastri Jambhekar[edit]
for main article go to Balshastri Jambhekar
Balshastri Jambhekar: (January 6, 1812 May 18, 1846) is known as Father of Marathi journalism
for his efforts in starting journalism in Marathi language with the first newspaper in the language
named 'Darpan' in the early days of British Rule in India. He founded Darpan as the first Marathi
newspaper. He was editor of this newspaper during the British rule in India. This turned out to be
the beginning of Marathi journalism. He had mastery in many languages including Marathi,
Sanskrit, English and Hindi. Apart from that he also had a good grasp of Greek, Latin, French,
Gujarati and Bengali.
Dr.B. R. Ambedkar[edit]
for main article go to Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
B. R. Ambedkar: (14 April 1891 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, political leader,
Buddhist activist, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, prolific writer, economist,
scholar, editor, revolutionary and the revivalist of Buddhism in India. He was also the chief
architect of the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar spent his whole life fighting against social
discrimination, the system of Chaturvarna the Hindu categorization of human society into four
varnas and the Hindu caste system. He is also credited with having sparked the bloodless
revolution with his most remarkable and innovative Buddhist movement. Dr. Baba Saheb
Ambedkar has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award.
Annie Besant[edit]
for main article go to Annie Besant
Annie Besant (October 1, 1847 September 20, 1933) was a prominent theosophist, women's
rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self-rule. In 1908 Annie Besant
became President of the Theosophical Society and began to steer the society away from
Buddhism and towards Hinduism. She also became involved in politics in India, joining the Indian
National Congress. When war broke out in Europe in 1914 she helped launch the Home Rule
League to campaign for democracy in India and dominion status within the Empire which
culminated in her election as president of the India National Congress in late 1917. After the war
she continued to campaign for Indian independence until her death in 1933.
Vitthal Ramji Shinde[edit]
for main article go to Vitthal Ramji Shinde

Vitthal Ramji Shinde: (April 23, 1873 January 2, 1944) He was a prominent campaigner on
behalf of the Dalit movement in Maharashtra and established the Depressed Classes Mission to
provide education to the Dalits in Maharashtra.
Gopal Hari Deshmukh[edit]
for main article go to Gopal Hari Deshmukh
Gopalakrishnan : (18231892) was a social reformer in Maharashtra. Deshmukh started writing
articles aimed at social reform in Maharashtra in the weekly Prabhakarunder the pen name
Lokhitwadi. In the first two years, he penned 108 articles on social reform. That group of articles
has come to be known in Marathi literature as Lokhitwadinchi Shatapatre.
Kandukuri Veeresalingam[edit]
for main article go to Kandukuri Veeresalingam
Kandukuri Veeresalingam:was born on 16 April 1848. He was a social reformer who first brought
about a renaissance in Telugu people and Telugu literature. He was influenced by the ideals of
Brahmo Samaj particularly those of Keshub Chunder Sen. He got involved in the cause of social
reforms. In 1876 he started a Telugu journal and wrote the first prose for women. He encouraged
education for women, and started a school in Dowlaishwaram in 1874. He started a social
organisation called Hitakarini (Benefactor). Unfortunately, he passed away on 27 May 1919.
Jawaharlal Nehru[edit]
Main article: Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru (Hindi/Kashmiri: , pronounced [darlal neru]; 14
November 1889 27 May 1964[4]) was an Indian statesman who was the first (and to date the
longest-serving) prime minister of India, from 1947 until 1964. One of the leading figures in the
Indian independence movement, Nehru was elected by the Congress Party to assume office as
independent India's first Prime Minister, and re-elected when the Congress Party won India's first
general election in 1952. As one of the founders of the Non-aligned Movement, he was also an
important figure in the international politics of the post-war era. He is frequently referred to as
Pandit Nehru ("pandit" being a Sanskrit and Hindi honorific meaning "scholar" or "teacher") and,
specifically in India, as Panditji (with "-ji" being an honorific suffix).His birthday is celebrated as
children's and teenagers day in India
Vijaypal Baghel[edit]
Main article: Vijaypal Baghel
Vijaypal Baghel ( 20 February 1967) is an environmental activist. He is known for his efforts in
protecting environment at grass root level through traditional methods. He is a prominent
campaigner on behalf of mission as Jhola Movement for fighting against polythene across India,
first planter of divine tree Kalpavriksha's (Adansonia digitata) at all famous pilgrims of around the
world, worshiper of nature & lead promoter of spiritual/religious/herbal/medicinal/environmental
values having species of flora. He devoted his life to conserve nature, save water, green
resolution, reduce pollution and stop global warming with the theme of 'Think globally-Act locally',
peoples are called him greenman.
Periyar E. V. Ramasamy[edit]
Main article: Periyar E. V. Ramasamy
Periyar E. V. Ramasamy Thanthai Periyar or E. V. R., was a businessman, politician, Indian
independence and social activist, who started the Self-Respect Movement or the Dravidian
Movement and proposed the creation of an independent state called Dravidasthan comprising
South India. He is also the founder of the socio-cultural organisation Dravidar Kazhagam.[8][9]
[10]
Pandurang Shastri Athavle[edit]
Main article: Pandurang Shastri Athavale
Pandurang Vaijnath Shastri Athavale (Marathi:

) (October 19, 1920

October 25, 2003), also known as Dada-ji (Marathi: ), which literally translates as elder
brother in Marathi, was an Indian philosopher, spiritual leader, social reformer[11] and Hinduism
reformist, who founded the Swadhyay Movement and the Swadhyay Parivar organization
(Swadhyay Family) in 1954,[12] a self-knowledge movement based on the Bhagavad Gita, which
has spread across nearly 100,000 villages in India,[13][14] with over 5 million members.[15] He
was also noted for his discourses or "pravachans" on Srimad Bhagawad Gita and Upanishads.
He was born in the Konkan village of Roha in Maharashtra, India. He was one of five children of
Sanskrit teacher Vaijanath Athavale and Parvati Athavale.
When Athavale was twelve years old, his grandfather set up an independent course of study for
the young boy with individual tuition. Thus, Athavale was taught in a system very similar to that of
the Tapovan system of ancient India. In 1942, he started to give discourses at the Srimad
Bhagavad Gita Pathshala, a centre set up by his father in 1926.[9]
Athavale read diligently in the Royal Asiatic Library for 14 years, reading and digesting every nonfiction literature (ranging from Marx's philosophy to Whitehead's writings to ancient Indian
philosophy). In 1954, he attended the Second World Philosophers Conference, held in Japan.
There, Athavale presented the concepts of Vedic ideals and the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
All the participants deeply impressed by his ideas and wanted evidence of such ideals being put
into practice in towns across India. A Dr. Wilson Compton was impressed with Athavale's ideas
and offered him a post in the US, where he could spread his ideas. Athavale politely declined,[9]
saying that he had work to accomplish if he wanted to show the world a model community
peacefully practicing and spreading the divine Vedic thoughts and the message of the Bhagavad
Gita.
See also[edit]
Swami Keshwanand
Ram Manohar Lohia
Virchand Gandhi
Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
Shahu IV of Kolhapur
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
Ramakrishna Paramhansa
Acharya Vinoba Bhave
Swami Dayanand Saraswati
shivaranjani Tanjore
References[edit]
^ Encyclopdia Britannica
^ Carol Henderson Garcia; Carol E. Henderson (2002). Culture and Customs of India.
Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 70. ISBN 978-0-313-30513-9. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
^ Hugh Tinker (1990). South Asia: A Short History. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 76. ISBN 9780-8248-1287-4. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
^ "Narrative Section of a Successful Application". Claflin University. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
^ The Bijak of Kabir (2002), Linda Beth Hess and ukadeva Sim ha, Oxford University Press. pp.5
ISBN 0-19-514876-2
^ A Social, Cultural and Economic History of India, Volume II, (1974) Macmillan, pp. 90
^ "The Gandhian spirit". Financial Express. January 2, 2000.
^ Mehta, Vrajendra Raj; Thomas Pantham (2006). Political Ideas in Modern India: thematic
explorations. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks. p. 48. ISBN 978-0-7619-3420-2.
^ Arora, N.D.; S.S. Awasthy (2007). Political Theory and Political Thought. Har-Anand
Publications: New Delhi. p. 425. ISBN 978-81-241-1164-2.
^ Thakurta, Paranjoy Guha; Shankar Raghuraman (2004). A Time of Coalitions: Divided We
Stand, Sage Publications: New Delhi, p. 230.
^ Tributes paid to founder of Swadhyaya movement Times of India, Nov 12, 2003.
^ Pandurang Shastri Athavale Obituary
^ Spiritualist from India is honored with religion's Templeton Prize The Seattle Times, March 5,
1997.

^ Contemporary Hinduism: Ritual, Culture, and Practice, by Robin Rinehart. Published by ABCCLIO, 2004. ISBN 1-57607-905-8. Page 375
^ Year in Review 2003 Passages The Seattle Times, December 29, 2003.
Categories: Lists of social activistsSocial movements in IndiaIndian social activists
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