Progressive Character of Socio-religious Reform Movements in Colonial India

Removal of Social Evils

• Socio-religious reform movements aimed at eliminating social evils that plagued Indian society. These included practices that created divisions and inequalities among different sections of society.
• The reformers sought to bridge gaps and bring various communities together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.

Contribution to Indian Nationalism

• The efforts to eradicate social evils had a profound impact on the growth of Indian nationalism. By addressing societal divisions, these movements played a crucial role in fostering a collective identity and shared aspirations for independence.

Rise of Middle-Class Intelligentsia

• British administrative and economic changes led to the emergence of a new urban middle class in towns across India.
• Percival Spear describes this middle class as a dynamic minority with a common foreground of knowledge, ideas, and values. This class, due to its education and ties with the ruling class, took a leadership role in the Indian National Congress.

Leadership in Indian National Congress

• The middle-class intelligentsia provided leadership at various stages of the Indian National Congress's growth.
• Their education and exposure to modern ideas positioned them to articulate the demands for self-governance, civil rights, and economic progress.

Impact of Contemporary Movements in the World

• Movements for national liberation in different parts of the world, such as South America, Greece, Italy, and Ireland, had a profound impact on Indian nationalists.
• The success of these movements inspired and influenced the thinking and strategies of Indian nationalists, providing a broader context for their own struggle against colonial rule.

Reactionary Policies and Racial Arrogance:

British policies that perpetuated racial myths of white superiority, discriminatory laws, and segregation deeply hurt the sentiments of Indians.

Reactionary policies, such as the reduction of the maximum age limit for the I.C.S. examination, the grand Delhi Durbar during a severe famine, and the Vernacular Press Act, fueled opposition and discontent.

• Ilbert Bill Controversy:
  • The Ilbert Bill aimed to abolish judicial disqualification based on race distinctions and provide Indian members of the civil service the same powers as their European colleagues.
  • The controversy surrounding the bill revealed the resistance of the European community and the challenges faced by nationalists in their quest for justice and fair play.
• Organised Agitation and Learning:
  • The agitation by Europeans against the Ilbert Bill taught Indian nationalists valuable lessons in organized protest and advocacy for their rights and demands.
  • This experience contributed to the development of effective strategies for the nationalist movement.

In summary, the socio-religious reform movements in colonial India had a progressive character as they sought to eradicate social evils, unite diverse communities, and lay the groundwork for the nationalist movement. The rise of the middle-class intelligentsia and the influence of global movements further shaped the trajectory of Indian nationalism.