What are the social evils against which the reform movements were directed in India in the 19th century ?

Social evils against which the Reform Movement was directed :

Image Source: spiritualbathwater.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/evillive.jpg

• There were several evil customs and practices which had become a part of . They were :

(i) Casteism, (ii) Sati, (iii) Infanticide, (iv) Child marriages and (v) Belief in superstitions. Muslims were also divided by castes, sectarian and tribal differences.

• Social and religious reform movements arose among all communities of the Indian people. In religion, they attacked bigotry, superstitions and the hold of the priestly class. In social life, they aimed at the abolitions of castes, child marriage and other legal and social inequalities.
• These social evils were fought with firm determination by numerous reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Rama Krishna Paramhans, Swami Dayanand, Swami Vivekananda, Sir Sayed Ahmed Khan and others.
• As a result of these movements, sig­nificant advances were made in the field of emanci­pation of women. With their efforts, the practice of Sati and infanticide had been made illegal. Law was passed for widow-remarriages. Many superstitions began to disappear.
• The Reform Movement contributed a great deal to the birth of Indian nationalism. It influenced people everywhere.