• The positive principles enunciated by Dayanand
were: strict monotheism, condemnation of idolatry,
and rejection of Brahman domination of ritual and
social practices.
• One of its main objectives was counter-conversion,
prescribing a purificatory ceremony called suddhi,
directed at Hindus who had converted to Islam and
Christianity.
• The Samaj started a number of Dayananda Anglo-
Vedic schools and colleges.
2. RAMAKRISHNA PARAMAHANSA
• Ramakrishna (1836-86), a simple priest of
Dakshineswar near Kolkata, emphasised the
spiritual union with god through ecstatic practices
such as singing bhajans.
• Worshiper of Goddess Kali.He said, "Jiva is Siva"
(all living beings are God)Service for man, must be
regarded as God
• He expounded his views in short stories and
admirable parables which were compiled by an
admirer as Ramakrishna Kathamrita (The Gospel of
Sri Ramakrishna).
3. SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
• Narendra Nath Datta (1863-1902), later known as
Swami Vivekananda, was the prime follower of
Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
• He advocated the practical Vedanta of service to
humanity & also emphasised Cultural Nationalism
• He became famous for his addresses on Hinduism
at the 1893 World Congress of Religions in
Chicago.
4. THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT
• The Theosophical Society was founded by Madame
H.P. Blavatsky (1831-1891) and Colonel H.S Olcott
(1832-1907).
• Founded in the USA in 1875, it later shifted to India
at Advar, Chennai in 1886.The Theosophical
Society also played an important role in the revival
of Buddhism in India.
• Annie Besant spread Theosophical ideas through
her newspapers called New India and
Commonweal
ANTI CASTE MOVEMENTS
1. JYOTIBA PHULE (1827) MAHARASHTRA
• He opened the first school for "untouchables" in
1852 in Poona. He launched the Satyashodak
Samaj (Truth-Seekers Society) in 1870 to stir the
non-Brahman masses to self-respect.
• He belonged to Mali (Gardener) community
• Jyotiba and his wife Savitribai Phule devoted their lives
for the uplift of the depressed classes and women.
• His work, Gulamgiri (Slavery) is an important text that
summarized many of his radical ideas.
2. NARAYANA GURU (1854-1928) KERALA
• He dedicated his whole life for the betterment of the
oppressed ( Ezhavas).
• He set up the Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam
(SNDP) in 1992,an organization to work for the uplift of
the "depressed classes".
• He established a grand temple at Aruvipuram and
dedicated it to all.
• Thinkers and writers such as Kumaran Asan and Dr
Palpu were influenced by his ideas and carried forward
the movement.
3. AYYANKALI (1863)
• The discrimination he faced as a child turned him into
a leader of an anti-caste movement.
• Inspired by Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali founded
the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangam (Association for
the Protection of the Poor) in 1907.
4. PANDITA RAMABAI (1858-1922)
• Worked for the emancipation of women.She was given
the title of "Pandita" and "Saraswati" for her deep
knowledge of Sanskrit.
• She started the Arya Mahila Samai & Sharada Sadan
(shelter for homeless for the destitute widows with the
help of leaders like Ranade and Bhandarkar
• She established a Mukti Sadan (freedom house) at
Khedgoan Poona where vocational training was given
ISLAMIC REFORMS
1. SIR SAYYID AHMED KHAN
• He founded a scientific society and translated many
English books, especially science books into Urdu.His
movement is called Aligarh Movement (1975)
• Syed's progressive social ideas were propagated
through his magazine Tahdhib-ul-Akhluq (Improvement
of Manners and Morals).
• He founded Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental college
founded by him in 1886, which is a landmark in the
history of Indian Muslim education.College raised to
university status in 1920
2. AHMADIYA MOVEMENT(1889)
• Founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmed (1835-1908)