Women Caste and Reform

Divyansh Sharma
8-D
 The Gripping Realities of 19th Century India-

Caste System: Women's Status: Widow Remarriage: Child Marriage:

• Rigid societal • Limited education and • Widows ostracized and • Prevalent practice
hierarchy based on social mobility. forced to live a life of across social classes,
• Confined to domestic
birth. hardship. depriving children of
roles with minimal
• Four main varnas: • Remarriage considered education and
autonomy.
Brahmins (priests), • Practices like child taboo and a social childhood.
Kshatriyas (warriors), marriage, sati (widow stigma.. • Girls particularly
Vaishyas (merchants), immolation), and affected, leading to
Shudras (laborers). polygamy prevalent. early motherhood and
• Untouchables (Dalits) • Widow Remarriage health complications.
excluded from the Widows ostracized
system, facing and forced to live a
oppression and life
discrimination. of hardship.
• Remarriage considered
taboo and a social
 A Call For Change- Social Reform Movements
Early Reformers:

• Raja Rammohan Roy : Advocated against sati, caste rigidity, and child marriage.

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Championed widow remarriage and women's education.

Rise of Social Reform:
• Establishment of reform organizations like Arya Samaj and Satyashodhak Samaj.
• Emphasis on education, women's empowerment, and social justice.
Challenges and Impact:
• Faced resistance from conservative sections of society.
• Gradual progress in changing social attitudes and legislation.
 Reformer for women-
Inventory

European
Sanskrit
Languages

Stood For Stood Against

Knowledge
of Ancient
texts Raja Rammohan Roy
1772-1833

ACHIEVEMENTS Raja Rammohun Roy the founder of the Brahmo

Sabha (one of the first Indian socio-religious reform
movements) was a great scholar and an independent
thinker. He was a religious and social reformer and is
Helped Founder Of Helped Widows known as the ‘Father of Modern India’ or ‘Father of
Abolish Sati Brahmo Samaj to Remarry the Bengal Renaissance’.
 Colonial Administration and Social Reforms: A Closer Look

Early Interventions:
Divide-and-rule Strategy:
• Sati Abolition Act
Motivations: Some argue that the
(1829): Outlawed
• Desire for stability British strategically used
the practice of sati,
and social order social reforms to create
despite opposition
to facilitate divisions within Indian
from some sections.
colonial rule. society, particularly along
• Widow Remarriage
• Some genuine religious and caste lines.
Act (1856):
concern for This could weaken
Legalized widow
humanitarian potential resistance to
remarriage, facing
issues. colonial rule and make it
resistance from
easier to control the
conservative
population.
Hindus.
 Conclusion: Do such conditions still prevail in India today?

Addressing the Question: While significant progress has been made, remnants of the social
issues discussed continue to persist in contemporary India.
Examples:
• Caste discrimination, though officially outlawed, manifests in social exclusion, limited access to
opportunities, and occasional violence.
• Gender inequality remains evident in areas like pay gaps, educational attainment, and
representation in leadership positions.
• Child marriage, despite legal prohibitions, persists in certain communities and rural areas.
Constitutional Safeguards:
The Indian Constitution enshrines fundamental rights guaranteeing equality, non-discrimination,
and freedom from exploitation.
Specific provisions like Articles 14, 15, 17, 21, and 23 address caste-based discrimination, gender
inequality, and child labor.
Ongoing Efforts:
Government initiatives and affirmative action programs aim to bridge social gaps and empower
disadvantaged groups.
Civil society organizations work tirelessly to raise awareness, advocate for change, and provide
THANK YOU