Women, Caste and Reform: Class 8 History Chapter 8 Notes

A Look into the Past: Conditions of Women and Caste in the 19th Century

In the early nineteenth century, Indian society was bound by many rigid and often cruel social customs. For women, life was particularly difficult. Many were married off as children, sometimes to much older men. Education was largely forbidden for them, as it was believed that an educated woman would become a widow. The practice of 'Sati' was a horrifying reality in some parts of the country, where a widow was forced to burn herself on her husband's funeral pyre. Widows who survived were ostracised, forced to live a life of severe restrictions, and considered inauspicious. At the same time, the caste system divided society into hierarchical groups. Those born into 'lower castes', deemed 'untouchables', faced extreme discrimination. They were not allowed to enter temples, draw water from the same wells as the 'upper castes', or attend schools. These practices were seen as normal, and challenging them was extremely difficult.

Voices of Change: How Reformers Fought Social Evils

1. Raja Rammohun Roy and the Fight Against Sati — Raja Rammohun Roy (1772-1833) was a key figure who started the process of reform. He founded the Brahmo Sabha (later the Brahmo Samaj) in Calcutta. Deeply moved by the plight of women, he began a powerful campaign against the practice of Sati. He didn't just condemn it; he used a clever strategy. He studied ancient Hindu texts and proved that the practice had no sanction in the religion. He wrote and published articles, debated with orthodox leaders, and persuaded the British administration. His relentless efforts led to Governor-General Lord William Bentinck passing the Sati Prohibition Act in 1829, making the practice illegal.
2. Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and Widow Remarriage — Another major reformer was Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, who focused on the miserable condition of widows. Like Rammohun Roy, he used ancient texts to argue that widows could remarry. His campaign was met with fierce opposition, but he did not give up. He wrote to the government and tirelessly gathered support. His suggestions were finally accepted, and the British government passed the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act in 1856. This law allowed widows to legally remarry. Vidyasagar even set an example by arranging the remarriage of his own son to a widow.
3. Jyotirao Phule and Education for All — Jyotirao Phule, a reformer from a 'low-caste' background in Maharashtra, focused on two major issues: caste injustice and women's education. He believed that education was the only way to liberate people from social evils. In 1848, he and his wife, Savitribai Phule, started one of the first schools for girls in Pune. This was a revolutionary step! They faced immense hostility but continued their work, opening more schools for girls and children from 'lower castes'. Phule also wrote a powerful book called Gulamgiri (Slavery), which criticised the injustices of the caste system.

Breaking the Chains of Caste

The fight against the caste system was another crucial part of the 19th-century reform movements. Reformers from 'upper castes' like Raja Rammohun Roy translated old Buddhist texts that were critical of caste. However, the most powerful challenges came from leaders within the 'lower castes'. In central India, the Satnami movement was founded by Ghasidas, who worked to improve the social status of leatherworkers. In eastern Bengal, Haridas Thakur's Matua sect worked among Chandala cultivators. The most vocal critic of caste was Jyotirao Phule, who argued that 'upper-caste' Aryans were outsiders who had subjugated the original inhabitants of the land. Later, leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar) led powerful movements. Ambedkar, who belonged to the Mahar caste, led the 'Temple Entry Movement' in 1927 to challenge the ban on 'untouchables' entering temples. Periyar founded the 'Self-Respect Movement' in the South, arguing for a society free from Brahmanical dominance.

Exam Tip: Connecting Reformers to Reforms

For your exams, a common question type is matching reformers to their key contributions or the organisations they founded. Create a simple table in your notebook with three columns: 'Reformer', 'Major Reform/Work', and 'Organisation Founded'. For example: Raja Rammohun Roy -> Abolition of Sati -> Brahmo Samaj. This will help you quickly revise and remember these important connections. Also, remember the key laws: Sati Act (1829) and Widow Remarriage Act (1856).

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What were the main social evils against women that reformers fought against in the 19th century?
  A: Step 1: Identify the key issues affecting women discussed in the chapter. These were Sati, child marriage, and the denial of education.
  Step 2: Describe each practice. Sati was the practice of a widow being forced to burn on her husband's funeral pyre. Child marriage involved marrying girls at a very young age. Women and girls were also prevented from going to school or getting an education.
  Step 3: Mention the plight of widows. Even if they were not victims of Sati, widows lived a very restricted and difficult life.
  Final answer: The main social evils reformers fought against were Sati (the immolation of widows), child marriage, the denial of education for girls, and the harsh and restrictive life imposed on widows.

• Q: Explain the contribution of Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule to social reform.
  A: Step 1: Identify the primary focus of the Phules' work. They focused on women's education and fighting caste injustice.
  Step 2: Detail their work in education. In 1848, Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule started one of India's first schools for girls in Pune. They faced strong opposition but continued to open schools for girls and children from 'lower castes'.
  Step 3: Explain Jyotirao Phule's critique of the caste system. He argued that the 'upper castes' were not the original inhabitants and had oppressed the 'lower castes'. He wrote the book Gulamgiri (Slavery) to spread his ideas and founded the Satyashodhak Samaj to propagate caste equality.
  Final answer: Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule were pioneering reformers who championed education for girls and 'lower castes' by starting schools in Pune. Jyotirao Phule also strongly criticised the caste system through his writings like Gulamgiri and his organisation, the Satyashodhak Samaj.

• Q: How did Raja Rammohun Roy campaign to get the practice of Sati banned?
  A: Step 1: Recall Raja Rammohun Roy's strategy. He used a two-pronged approach: using religious texts and persuading the British administration.
  Step 2: Describe his textual approach. He studied ancient Hindu scriptures and argued that the texts did not sanction Sati. He published his findings to show that the practice was not an essential part of the religion.
  Step 3: Describe his campaign. He wrote articles and held debates to change public opinion. He actively lobbied with the British officials, presenting them with petitions and arguments.
  Final answer: Raja Rammohun Roy campaigned against Sati by showing through ancient texts that the practice was not required by Hinduism. He then used this argument to change public opinion through writings and debates and successfully persuaded the British Governor-General Lord William Bentinck to pass a law banning Sati in 1829.

• Q: What was the Temple Entry Movement and who was its main leader?
  A: Step 1: Define the Temple Entry Movement. It was a movement started to allow people from 'lower castes', then called 'untouchables', to enter Hindu temples, from which they were traditionally barred.
  Step 2: Identify the main leader. The most prominent leader of the Temple Entry Movement was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
  Step 3: Provide an example and context. Dr. Ambedkar, himself from the Mahar caste, experienced this discrimination. Between 1927 and 1935, he led three such temple entry movements. His aim was not just to gain entry into temples, but to make everyone see the power of caste prejudice within society.
  Final answer: The Temple Entry Movement was a struggle by 'lower castes' to gain the right to enter Hindu temples. Its most important leader was Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who led movements starting in 1927 to challenge caste discrimination and make society aware of its injustice.

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