EnglishSocial Reformers of India and Their Contributions

Social Reformers of India and Their Contributions

India has a rich history of social reformers who have significantly shaped its social fabric. From eradicating social evils to empowering marginalized communities, these luminaries have left an indelible mark. Here, we spotlight some famous social reformers of India and their contributions.

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    Social Reformers of India a social reformer is someone who works to improve the social, economic, and political conditions of a society. This can involve fighting for justice and equality, working to end poverty and exploitation, or advocating for democracy and political reform. Social reformers can come from all walks of life, and their goals and methods vary widely. However, all social reformers share a commitment to making the world a better place for all.

    Social reformers are often motivated by a desire to improve the lives of those who are disadvantaged or oppressed. In some cases, social reformers may also be motivated by a religious or spiritual belief that all people should be treated equally.

    Social reformers typically use a variety of methods to achieve their goals. These can include protests, educational campaigns, and working with the government to pass laws or create policies that will improve the lives of those they are fighting for. In some cases, social reformers may also use violent methods, although this is relatively rare.

    No matter what methods they use, social reformers are typically driven by a strong belief that change is possible and that everyone deserves to live in a just and equitable society.

    In this article, we will study the life and works of various great social reformers of India; we will also try to understand what a social evil is, its causes, who is a social reformer, etc.

    Social and Religious Reformers of India

    Many social reformers, like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Dayananda Saraswati, also had an enormous impact on the religious landscape. They sought to rid religion of dogmas and introduce a rational approach to spirituality.

    Who is a social reformer? A person who is concerned about humanity and mankind above anything else; a person who wants to change the existing state of things for the better; a person who has an enlightened thought process; a person who cannot stand the sufferings of the weaker section of people; and above all a person who believes in the duty bestowed upon him to leave the earth behind him as a better place than it was. A social reformer is an ordinary human being who wants to serve the cause of humanity in extraordinary ways.

    In its long history, India is fortunate to have many extraordinary human beings who devoted all their lives to the betterment of society and the upliftment of the downtrodden.

    A few among them are: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule, Anne Besant, Mother Teresa, Vinoba Behave, etc. We will look into the lives and works of these extraordinary men and women and appreciate their efforts in making today’s India.

    Top 10 Social Reformers of India (Bharat)

    • Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Known as the “Father of Indian Renaissance,” he played a pivotal role in the abolition of Sati and promoted women’s education.
    • Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A prominent advocate for women’s education and the widow remarriage act, his efforts have been critical in shaping modern India.
    • Baba Amte: Focused on the rehabilitation and empowerment of people suffering from leprosy, Baba Amte’s work is an inspiration for social workers everywhere.
    • Dayananda Saraswati: Founder of the Arya Samaj, he was instrumental in promoting Vedic ideologies and was against idol worship and caste discrimination.
    • Swami Vivekananda: He worked extensively to uplift the downtrodden and emphasized the importance of education.
    • B.R. Ambedkar: Primarily responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution, he fought tirelessly against social discrimination against Untouchables.
    • Jyotirao Phule: An advocate for the rights of lower-caste individuals, he was also a strong supporter of women’s education.
    • Annie Besant: One of the top 10 social reformers of India and a female social reformer, she supported Indian self-rule and women’s rights.
    • Mother Teresa: A symbol of love and peace, her contributions to the welfare of the destitute are unparalleled.
    • Sarojini Naidu: A feminist and political activist, she was instrumental in India’s struggle for freedom and worked to advance the status of women.

    List of Famous Social Reformers and Their Contribution to The Indian History

    Acharya Balshastri Jambhekar Anurag Chauhan Baba Amte
    Baba Amte Basavanna Begum Rokeya
    BR Ambedkar Dayananda Saraswati Debendranath Tagore
    Dhondo Keshav Karve Dwarkanath Ganguly Eknath
    Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Gopal Hari Deshmukh Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
    Javaid Rahi Jyotiba Phule Kandukuri Veeresalingam
    Kazi Nazrul Islam Keshub Chandra Sen Kirity Roy
    Kuriakose Elias Chavara Mahadev Govind Ranade Mahatma Gandhi
    Narayana Guru Pandita Ramabai Pandurang Shastri Athavale
    Periyar E. V. Ramasamy Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar Prabodhankar Thackeray
    Rabindranath Tagore Raja Ram Mohan Roy Ramabai Ranade
    Ramakrishna Paramhansa Ramalinga Swamigal Ramanuja
    Sahajanand Saraswati Savitribai Phule Shahu of Kolhapur
    Shishunala Sharif Subhash Chandra Bose Subramanya Bharathiyaar
    Swami Vivekananda T. K. Madhavan Tarabai Shinde
    Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Vinoba Bhave Virchand Gandhi
    Vitthal Ramji Shinde

    Female Social Reformers of India

    Apart from Annie Besant, Sarojini Naidu, and Mother Teresa, other female social reformers include Savitribai Phule, who was a trailblazer in providing education for girls, and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, who played a significant role in the Indian cooperative movement and the freedom struggle.

    Social Reformers of India Chart & Worldwide Influence

    While a comprehensive social reformers of India chart would include dozens more names, it’s essential to recognize that these individuals have not only influenced India but have had a global impact as social reformers of the world.

    By studying the lives and impacts of these monumental figures, we can better appreciate the depth and breadth of social change that has been effected, and continues to be, by these visionaries.

    Social Reformers of India

    India’s social reformers and their contribution to society are immeasurable. They have paved the way for a more equitable and just society, setting a precedent not just within the country but inspiring social reformers globally.

    Raja Ram Mohan Roy

    At the beginning of the 19th century, India was plagued by various social evils such as Sati pratha, the Caste system, Religious superstitions, etc. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the first to recognize these inhuman practices and decided to fight against them same. He is considered the architect of the Indian Renaissance and the father of modern India.

    Ram Mohan Roy was born May 2,2, 1772, in Radhanagar, Hugli district of Bengal. His father was Ramakant Roy, and his mother was Triveni Devi; his father was in a perfect position in the court of the then Nawab of Bengal. He got his education in Patna and Varanasi. He also worked in the East India Company from 1803 to 1814. Belonging to a traditional Brahmin family, Roy was married off at a very young age, and before attaining the age of ten, he was married twice.

    He died of meningitis in Bristol, England September 27, 1833.

    Work and Reforms:

    Raja Ram Mohan Roy was very open-minded and was of a very questioning brain. Western progressive thoughts very much influenced him. He was also well versed in the teachings of various religions. He was influenced by the monotheism of Islam, the Mysticism of Sufi philosophy, the Ethics and morals of Christianity, and the Vedanta philosophy of Upanishad.

    His main focus was on the evils which had surrounded the Hindu society of the times, such as:

    • He criticized the idol worship of Hindus and tried to prove his point through the verses of the Vedas.
    • But the main contribution for which Raja Ram Mohan Roy is still remembered was his relentless efforts to abolish the practice of Sati Pratha.

    Ram Mohan Roy got involved in fighting against it when his elder brother died, and his sister-in-law was made a Sati. He began a movement to abolish this barbaric custom, and for that purpose, he persuaded the British Government to pass an Act repealing Sati Pratha; the Bengal Sati Regulation Act, 1829 was given by Lord William Bentinck, the then Governor-General of Bengal on August 20, 1828, Raja Ram Mohan Roy established the Brahma Samaj, which later became the Brahmo Samaj, an organization and a movement with the objectives of promoting monotheism criticizing idol worshiping; opposing widespread Brahmanism, and uplifting the pitiful condition of women, On, etc.

    Other Important Works:

    • In 1820, he published a book named Percepts of Jesus: The Guide to Peace and Happiness; in this book, Ram Mohan Roy explained the simplicity and morality of the Christian religion.
    • He also started publishing two newspapers, viz. Samvad Kaumudi and Pragya Chaand in the year 1821 to spread his ideas and views to the common people.
    • He also started a Persian newspaper viz.
    • Besides, Roy helped establish one Vedanta College and the Hindu College in Calcutta.

    Contribution to the Society:

    Raja Ram Mohan Roy’s work and efforts gave India the first touch of modern ideas, reeling under the dual burden of age-old social ills and British exploitation. His spreading of modern ideas was perhaps the nascent beginning of the long struggle for India’s Independence. Thus, his contribution is like a bed-stone in the making of modern Indian.

    Swami Vivekananda

    Vivekananda, born to Vishwanath Datta and Bhuveneshwari Devi in Calcutta January 12, 1863, was an extraordinary man. His childhood name was Narendranath Dutta.

    From early childhood, Narendra was a very bright student; his memory and reading capabilities were exceptional; Narendra was a voracious reader.

    A brilliant student, he was interested in a wide range of subjects such as philosophy, Biology, Art, Culture, Music, Social studies, etc. He was especially interested in philosophy and religious texts; he keenly read the works of western philosophers and thinkers such as Kant, Hegal, John Stuart Mill, Auguste Comte, Spinoza, Herbert Spencer, Charles Darwin, etc. He was also well-versed with all philosophical and religious texts of Hinduism, be it Upanishads, Vedas, or Ramayana and Mahabharata.

    All these readings made him a very inquisitive person. His quest for truth and knowledge took him to Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa, and Narendranath transformed into Vivekananda.

    Social Reforms:

    Though Vivekananda had not initiated any particular social reform, his speeches and writings were full of messages against all kinds of social and religious evils.

    • His main focus was on removing the weakness of India’s youth of the time, both physical and mental. And to gain strength, he suggested physical exercise or attaining knowledge. For him, strength is life, and weakness is death; for all the problems of India, whether social or political, the solution is self-respect in India’s culture and philosophy.
    • He was against religious dogmas and superstitions; he continuously argued against prevailing social evils in his speeches and lectures. He was more confident about women’s ability to change the fortune of India; he proclaimed that with the help of 50 women, he could transform India into a modern, forward-looking nation.
    • However, his real contribution to India was to revive the true meaning of Hinduism; he propagated the real philosophy and culture of India to the world at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893; through his lectures and speeches all over the world proved that Hindu religion is no inferior to anyone; at
    • He inculcated, in the youth of the country, a sense of pride and worth so that they could face the world with confidence.
    • He was fiercely against any social evil perpetuated by religious logic and dogmas. He believed that the Hindu belief in untouchability must change if the nation is to progress.

    Further, his fiery speeches and lectures gave momentum to the national movement for Independence, and his life and teachings are still a source of inspiration for the country’s youth.

    Swami Vivekananda died in July 4, 1902, while meditating at Belur Math, Bengal, India.

    Swami Dayananda Saraswati

    Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s childhood name was Moolshankar; he was born on January 12, 1824, at Maurvi, Gujarat. He left home at age 21 and kept wandering in the company of one Dandi Swami Poornananda, who gave Moolshankar the name Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

    Social Reforms:

    Swami Dayananda was a great believer in the teachings of Vedas; he gave the slogan: ‘Return to Vedas.’ He criticized Hindu religious texts such as Puranas for perpetuating Idol worship and other superstitions. He tried to revive true Hindu philosophy and belief and argued against all wrong things being propagated in the name of Hinduism.

    • He aggressively attacked social evils like Caste System by birth but argued that it should be based on occupation and work.
    • He supported and advocated women’s right to education and equal social status.
    • Also, Swami Dayananda started a campaign against Untouchability, Child Marriage, etc.
    • He supported inter-caste marriages and widow remarriages; supported Sudras and women’s right to read Vedas and to attain high education.

    Swami Dayananda Saraswati established ‘Arya Samaj’ in 1875 to propagate his ideas. Its objective was to revive and reform the Hindu religion, establish Vedic religion in its true form again, unify India socially, religiously, and politically, and stop western cultural effects on Indian culture and civilization.

    However, apart from all the good deeds of Arya Samaj, it also became controversial for its ‘Shuddhi Movement’ under which such persons were allowed to return to Hinduism who had converted to other religions.

    But Swami Ji’s contribution to removing India’s social evils, especially Hinduism, is very significant; it gave a sense of pride to Indians.

    As said by Annie Besant for him that Swami Ji was the only one who proclaimed: ‘India is For Indians’.

    Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

    Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was one of the most remarkable social reformers of the 19th century. He was born September 26, 1820 in Paschim Midnapur District of Bengal to Thakurdas Bandhopadhyaya and Bhagwati Devi.

    His early childhood was spent in poverty without much of the necessities. But Vidyasagar was a brilliant student; he used to study under street lamps because, at home, there were no lamps.

    By performing exceptionally at schools and colleges, he received various scholarships; he also used to do part-time teaching jobs to support his studies and family. At Sanskrit College, Calcutta, he studied Literature, Sanskrit Grammar, Law and Astronomy, etc.

    Vidyasagar was a courageous social reformer who never hesitated to challenge the prevailing social evils.

    Social Reforms:

    • His main contribution was towards uplifting the status of women; he was a great supporter of widow remarriages; in those times, the condition of widows among Hindus was very pathetic, and Vidyasagar worked persistently to elevate their position.

    For this purpose, he persuaded the British Government to make a law legalizing widow remarriages; thus, the Widow Remarriage Act, 1856, was passed, which gave rights to widows to marry again, and children born out of such marriages were also considered to be legal.

    • He also argued against polygamy and child marriage and said that there is no sanction in Hindu religious texts for these practices.
    • Further, in the field of education, his contribution was immense; he refined and made accessible Bengali language to the common people by simplifying it in his famous book, Barno-Porichay (introduction to the letter), the book is still considered a classic in the Bengali language.
    • Vidyasagar was famous for his kind-heartedness; he was always there to help poor people in distress, people on the streets, and poor children.
    • Vidyasagar Ji continued the reform process started by Raja Ram Mohan Roy and remained active with Brahmo Samaj activities.

    He died July 29, 1891, in Calcutta.

    Jyotiba Phule

    Jyotirao Govindrao Phule was born on April 11, 1827, in Satara, Maharashtra, in a family of vegetable vendors. He could not complete his education due to his family’s poor condition but later completed it with the help of a few persons who had recognized his potential.

    Jyotirao was married at the age of 12 to Savitribai Phule. His life changed when he was insulted by one of his Brahmin friends, and then he realized the caste divide and discrimination present in society. This event proved a turning point in his life.

    He began to realize and observe various social evils practiced in society and decided to fight against them. A book by the writer Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man, pushed him further to start a movement against prevailing social evils such as the caste system, untouchability, women’s pathetic condition, poor condition of peasants, etc.

    Works and Social Reforms:

    • His first and foremost work was in the field of women’s education, and his first disciple was his wife herself, who always shared his dreams and supported him all through life.
    • To fulfill his ideals and aspirations of creating a just and equitable society, in 1848, Jyotiba opened a school for girls; it was the first girls’ School ever in the country. His wife, Savitribai, taught there as a teacher. But for trying to educate girls, a highly unthinkable act at that time, Jyotiba was forced to leave his home. However, such threats and societal pressures would not deter him from doing his work, and he kept creating awareness among people about social evils.
    • In 1851, he started a bigger and better school for girls, which became very popular; there was no discrimination on the lines of religion, caste, or creed, and everyone was welcomed to study there.
    • Jyotiba was also against child marriages and supported widow remarriage greatly; he was very sympathetic to the cause of distressed women and opened a home for such poor and exploited women where they could be taken care of.
    • Jyotiba was also actively involved in the emancipation of so-called lower castes, especially the Untouchables; in fact, he was perhaps the first person who gave untouchables the name Dalit as signifying someone who is broken, depressed, or exploited and is outside the so-called Varna system.
    • To uplift the so-called lower caste people and untouchables, on September 24, 1873, he formed the Satyashodhak Samaj (the Society of Truth Seekers), the main objective of the Samaj was to create a just and equitable social order free of discrimination based on caste, religion or gender. Satyashodhak Samaj was also opposed to religious dogmas and superstitions such as idolatry, the need for priests and irrational rituals, etc.

    Thus, Jyotiba Phule devoted his whole life to the weaker and depressed section of society; in his thinking and works, he was well ahead of his times.

    Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar

    Popularly known as Babasaheb, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar was born April 14, 1891, in Mhow, a military cantonment town of the then Central Province of India. His father, Ramji Maloji Sakpal was a Subedar in army and his mother Bhimabai Sakpal was a house wife.

    Babasaheb belonged to a so-called lower caste Mahar who was treated as untouchables; he had faced and seen several types of social discrimination since childhood. But his father being an army officer, was able to arrange good education for his children despite several resistances from society.

    Ambedkar was treated as untouchable in the School, and other Dalit children; we’re not allowed to sit with other so-called higher caste children or drink water from common water vessels.

    Ambedkar was very meritorious in their studies and, after completing his early education in Bombay, moved to the United States for post-graduation and research; he did his post-graduation and Ph.D. from Columbia University, New York City. He further studied at the London School of Economics and completed his master’s and doctorate there.

    Work and Social Reforms:

    Thus, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, despite several odds, got the best education from very good institutions in the world because of his talent and merit only. He also received a degree in Law.

    • His major contribution to eradicating social evils was fighting for the rights of the untouchables and so-called lower caste people. When preparing the Government of India Act, 1919, he advocated for separate electorates for untouchables and other lower caste people. He demanded reservations for such communities.
    • Ambedkar started several publications such as Mook Nayak, a weekly; Bahiskrit Bharat, a periodical to create awareness and to fight for the rights of untouchables and lower castes.
    • He founded Bahishkrit Hitakarni Sabha on July 20, 1924, in Bombay to create socio-political awareness among untouchables and make the Government sensitive towards their issues; he called upon the Dalits and untouchables to “Educate, Agitate and Organize” for their rightful place in society.
    • He started to launch public movements against discrimination faced by untouchables, such as opening the public water resources for untouchables and burning Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text which gives sanction to the caste system and the rights of lower caste people to enter Hindu temples.
    • In 1932, after the Third Round Table Conference in Britain in which Dr. Ambedkar participated, the British announced the infamous Communal Award, according to which there was a provision of a separate electorate in British India for different communities; thus, Untouchables were also considered as a separate electorate; it meant that for the election to the seats reserved for the untouchables only persons who could vote were untouchables.
    • Gandhiji and other Congress leaders vehemently opposed the scheme as being communal and divisive, dividing Hindus into two separate groups. But Dr. Ambedkar was in its favor as he believed that by having a separate electorate, more and more legislatures of the ‘Depressed Class’ would be elected.
    • After long and tedious discussions between Ambedkar and Congress leaders, Poona Pact has reached on September 25, 1932, according to which the system of separate electorate was abolished, but reservation of seats for the Depressed Class remained the same; hence, now untouchables would not be separate from Hindus, but seats would be reserved for them. It was a major step in recognizing the political rights of untouchables within the fold of Hindu society.
    • Similarly, the Constitution of India in 1950 gave reservation benefits to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who were earlier referred to as ‘Depressed Classes.’
    • Dr. Amedkar’s biggest contribution to the making of modern India was his momentous effort as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee; the most important feature of the Constitution of India is its special focus on socio-political and economic justice and equality; he forcefully advocated for the rights of women and SCs, STs and OBCs; special provisions were added for their upliftment and for eradicating various discriminations faced by them.
    • Later in his life, Dr. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism after getting fed up with Hinduism’s caste system, superstitions, rituals, and discriminatory practices.

    Therefore, all through his life, socially and politically, Babasaheb kept fighting against the prevailing social evils of our country; his contribution towards making the downtrodden people acquire self-respect and their rightful place is immeasurable.

    He was one of the greatest personalities to be born in India; Babasaheb died on December 6, 1956, in Delhi after a prolonged illness due to diabetes.

    Baba Amte

    Baba Amte was one of the most prominent social reformers of modern India; born to Devilal Singh and Laxmibai Amte, his childhood name was Murlidhar. He was born on December 26, 1914, in Wardha District of Maharashtra.

    His father was a high-profile British Government officer. Thus, he was from a wealthy family and led a luxurious life in his young days. But Baba Amte was always a liberal in his thinking and used to be with friends of all castes and religions.

    He studied Law and had a very good legal career at Wardha. He was also involved in the Freedom Movement against the British and participated in several movements led by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji influenced him, and all his life followed his principles and way of life.

    Work and Reforms:

    • His most important contribution to India and its society is his work for the care, empowerment, and rehabilitation of people sufferings from leprosy. Leprosy is a kind of disease with many stigmas attached to it, even more in those days than now. Baba Amte vehemently tried to spread awareness about the disease that it’s not contagious and once allowed a virus from a leprosy patient to be injected into him to prove his point.
    • He founded three Ashrams in Maharashtra for treating, caring for, and rehabilitating leprosy patients disowned by their families and society. He also established a Hospital for the same purpose August 15, 1949, in Anandvan.
    • Furthermore, he also worked to create awareness among the masses towards the conservation of forests, ecological balance, and wildlife protection.
    • He was also associated with Narmada Bachao Andolan and worked for the rights of displaced people due to the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

    Thus, he devoted all his life to the welfare of society and for India’s better future; Baba Amte died on February 9, 2008, at Anandvan, Maharashtra.

    Vinoba Bhave

    Acharya Vinoba Bhave was one of modern India’s most prominent humanists and social reformers. He was born September 11, 1895, to Narahari Shambhu Rao and Rukmini Devi into a Brahmin family in Gagode village, Raigad district, Maharashtra. His real name was Vinayak Rao Bhave; at a very age, he was highly inspired by Bhagavad Gita’s teachings.

    He had a spiritual bend of mind and believed in the goodness of all religions. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s speeches, he joined him at his Ashram in Ahmedabad. He started participating in Gandhiji’s constructive programs such as teaching, creating awareness about sanitation and cleanliness, promotion of Khadi, etc.

    Work and Reforms:

    • The most significant contribution of Vinoba Bhave was his Bhoodan (land gift) Movement started at Pochampally, TelanganaApriApril 18, 1951. Slowly this movement gained momentum; Vinobaji traveled all over the country, asking landlords to donate lands to their landless brethren. After getting lands as gifts, he donated the same to landless poor people to cultivate. Thus, his Bhoodan Movement was one of the unique methods of providing social justice to the masses.
    • He also established Brahma Vidya Mandir, an Ashram and a community for women, to make them self-reliant in food production with the help of Gandhiyan sustainability and non-violence.
    • Vinoba Bhave was also a great believer in religious tolerance and through his writings and teachings, tried to inculcate the same in common people. He was greatly influenced by the teachings of the Gita and translated it into the Marathi language. He also wrote interpretation and essence of several religious texts such as the Gita, Quran, and Bible.
    • One major criticism of Vinoba Bhave was that he supported the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi; he called it ‘Anushasan Parve. Time for Discipline; his real intention was to convey that everyone should follow the rules, including the rulers themselves.

    Acharya Vinoba died November 15, 1982, in Wardha, Maharashtra; throughout his life, he remained loyal to Gandhiyan principles and kept working selflessly for the welfare of society.

    Mother Teresa

    “Never worry about numbers; help one person at a time and always start with someone nearest you.”

    As above said, we came to know the feeling of her for poor, disabled, and needy people. The great lady was bornAuguAugust 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia, named Anjeze Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, a Roman Catholic religious sister. Her parents’ names are Nikolle Bojaxhiu and Dranafile Bojaxhiu. She completed her education at Loreto Abbey, Rathfarnham (1928 -1929) & Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

    At the tender age of 12, she felt a calling to religious life for the first time. At the age of 18 years, Anjeze Bojaxhiu decided to become a nun, and she joined the Loreto Sister of Dublin. Here she gets the name, Sister Mary Teresa. After working there for several years, she traveled to Darjeeling, India. She went to Calcutta; she was assigned to teach girls at Saint Mary’s High School. This School was dedicated to teaching girls from the city’s poorest Bengali families. After working here for 6 years, on May 24, 1937, she took on the title of “Mother” as a custom for Loreto nuns and thus became known as “Mother Teresa.”

    In August 1948, she left the Loreto Convent and wandered out. She took 6 months of basic medical training and contributed her whole life to Calcutta’s untouchable, unwanted, uncared, and unloved people.

    Social Service:

    Mother Teresa devoted her entire life to serving the needy and poor people of society. She began her mission in India (Calcutta) in 1948. She succeeded in bringing the people of different religions and castes to help the needy and poor people of India.

    Lower caste and untouchable people who were not touched or treated by doctors or vaidya died due to a lack of medicine and care by their loved ones. After seeing the situation of the city’s poor people, she decided to open a school and also established a home for the persons whose families reject due to untouchable’s diseases. In 1950 she opened ‘The Missionaries of Charity’ only with 12 members.

    She cared for the poorest of the poor, the sick, and the dying persons. Mother Teresa and members of her mission went out into the city streets and picked up the dying homeless person. They would clean them, feed them and serve them all the necessities of life so they could spend their last days or hours in dignity. She made 20 missionaries home for street children.

    For her lifelong self-less service to the weak and downtrodden, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and Bharat Ratan in 1980. At the age of 87SeptSeptember 5, 1997, she died in Kolkata due to various old age problems.

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    FAQs about List of Social Reformers of India and Their Contributions

    Who were the 10 social reformers of India?

    Some prominent social reformers of India include Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Mahatma Gandhi, Jyotirao Phule, B. R. Ambedkar, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Mother Teresa, Narayana Guru, and Periyar E. V. Ramasamy.

    Who is No 1 social reformer in India?

    Raja Ram Mohan Roy is often considered the No. 1 social reformer in India due to his pioneering efforts in abolishing the practice of Sati and advocating for women's rights.

    Who were the social reformers of India in the 19th century?

    Some notable 19th-century social reformers of India are Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Jyotirao Phule, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, and Swami Vivekananda.

    What is the role of a social reformer?

    A social reformer works towards bringing positive changes in society by addressing and challenging existing social norms and practices. They advocate for the rights of marginalized groups and work towards the betterment of society as a whole.

    Who is the father of Indian social reforms?

    Raja Ram Mohan Roy is often hailed as the Father of Indian Social Reforms because of his monumental contributions in pioneering social change.

    Who is the biggest social reformer?

    Mahatma Gandhi is often regarded as one of the biggest social reformers globally, owing to his role in India's fight for independence and his advocacy for non-violence, unity, and social justice

    Who is called a social reformer?

    A social reformer is someone who advocates for change in societal norms and practices, striving for justice, equality, and a better life for all members of society.

    Who was called as the mother of Indian revolution?

    Madame Bhikaji Cama is often referred to as the Mother of the Indian Revolution due to her contributions to India's independence movement.

    Who is a social reformer?

    A social reformer is an individual who seeks to bring about change in societal practices and norms, aiming for a more equitable and just society.

    Who are the social reformers of India?

    India has seen numerous social reformers throughout its history, such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Jyotirao Phule, B. R. Ambedkar, and many others who have contributed to societal improvements.

    Was Swami Vivekananda a social reformer of India?

    Yes, Swami Vivekananda was a prominent social reformer of India who emphasized education, women's empowerment, and unity among religions.

    Who are the female social reformers of India?

    Notable female social reformers of India include Savitribai Phule, Sister Nivedita, Sarojini Naidu, and Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, among others.

    Was Mahatma Gandhi a social reformer of India?

    Yes, Mahatma Gandhi was a significant social reformer in India. He worked towards eradicating untouchability, promoting communal harmony, and emphasizing the importance of non-violence.

    Social reformers of India who fought against the caste system?

    Prominent reformers who fought against the caste system in India include B. R. Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Narayana Guru, and Periyar E. V. Ramasamy.

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