Factors Giving Rise to a Desire for Reforms

Factors Giving Rise to a Desire for Reforms

Impact of British Rule: Invaders from the past settled in India and interacted positively with the culture of the country. When the British arrived, India had a stagnated civilization and decadent culture in comparison to enlightened Europe. Opposition to Western Culture: As a result, initiatives were made in the nineteenth century to revitalize ancient institutions and realize the potential of traditional culture. Awareness among enlightened Indians: The public is aware of the flaws in India’s social structure and culture. Bengalis with an English education developed a dislike for Hindu religion and culture and embraced behaviors that were disrespectful to Hindus. Ripe Social Conditions for Reform Religious and Social Ills: Caught up in a labyrinth of religious nonsense. Priests have a negative influence on people’s thinking. Idolatry and polytheism, as well as a monopoly on scriptural knowledge, aided them. Depressing position of women: Female infanticide, child marriage, polygamy, sati, etc prevailed. Caste Problem: Poor plight of untouchables or SCs....

Religious Reforms and Public Debates

Different groups responded to the changes occurring inside colonial society in various ways, offering a variety of new interpretations of different religions’ beliefs. Some critiqued established methods and advocated for reform, while others refuted reformers’ claims. These disputes took place both in public and in print. Not only did printed tracts and newspapers propagate new ideas, but they also influenced the tone of the debate. The general public can now engage in these public debates and share their opinions. As a result of these disagreements, new ideas evolved....

Muslims and The Deoband Seminary

The ulama in north India was greatly concerned about the demise of Muslim kingdoms. They were concerned that colonial rulers would push conversion and modify Muslim personal laws. To combat this, they used low-cost lithographic presses to print Persian and Urdu translations of sacred scriptures, as well as religious publications and tracts....

Among Hindus

Print fostered the reading of religious books among Hindus as well, particularly in vernacular languages. In 1810, the first printed edition of Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas was published in Calcutta. Cheap lithographic editions inundated north Indian markets by the mid-nineteenth century. Numerous religious books in vernaculars were published by the Nawal Kishore Press in Lucknow and the Shri Venkateshwar Press in Bombay beginning in the 1880s. These could be easily read by the faithful at any time and place because they were printed and portable. They might also be read aloud in front of huge audiences of illiterate men and women....

Anglo–Indian Journalism

This term refers to newspapers established in India by Englishmen primarily to meet the communication needs of persons from the British Isles who have settled in British provinces in India. The early English newspapers arose from the petty social and political dissatisfaction of Britishers settled in Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, and other British provinces, rather than any indigenous necessity. They were English magazines for English citizens, founded by English settlers....

Children, Women, and Workers

Children began to read as a result of their education. Children’s books were introduced to the market. In 1857, the first children’s press was established in France. In 1812, the Grimm brothers published a new version of a collection of folk stories in Germany. Women began to read and write at the same time. Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and T.S. Eliot were all outstanding female novelists. They changed the way women were perceived in society. In England, libraries aided in the education of laborers and the lower middle class. Workers even began to write....

FAQs on Religious Reform and Public Debate

Q 1. Give some examples of print around us....