Page 1 - 2.Lesson Notes-Working Towards change-181209090111

SAI INERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL
SESSION 2020-2021
CLASS VIII HISTORY
CH-WOMEN, CASTE AND REFORM

SUB TOPICS NOTES
INTRODUCTION Two hundred years ago the lives of women were totally different
from what it is today. There were so many restrictions imposed
on women.

Widows were praised and called ‘satis’ meaning ‘virtous’ if they
chose to by burning themselves on the funeral pyres of their
husbands.

People were also divided along lines of caste. Brahmins and
Kshatriyas considered themselves in upper caste, after them
traders and moneylenders referred to as Vaishyas and the lower
caste were Shudras and included peasants, artisans, weavers,
and potter.

The attitude towards women & social customs started changing
from the early 19th century.

WORKING In early 19th century things changed because of the
TOWARDS development of new forms of communication.
CHANGE
Social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy founded Brahmo
Samaj in Calcutta.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy pioneered this reform movement. He
opposed social practices such as discrimination on the basis of
caste, untouchability, superstitions and the custom of ‘sati’. He
wanted to spread the knowledge of western education and bring
about freedom and equality for women.

CHANGING THE Raja Rammohan Roy set up the Brahmo Samaj to fight social
LIVES OF WIDOWS evils. He began a campaign against the practice of sati. Many
British officials criticised Indian traditions and customs. They
supported him and in 1829, sati was banned.
He also supported women’s education. In the religious field, he
opposed idol worship and meaningless rituals.
Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was one of the most famous
reformers who suggested widow remarriage. In 1856, British
officials passed the law permitting widow remarriage.
Swami Dyanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875,
and also supported widow marriage.