Monday, September 13, 2010  What was the character of socio-
religious reforms in the 19th Century and how did they
contribute to the national awakening in India? (CSE 2007)  In
19th century the process of religious reform had started almost
in all Indian religions. The contemporary Indian social system
was associated with religion. Naturally religious reforms and
social reforms were complementary to each other. In 19th
century, a lot of socio-religious reform movements took place;
like in Hindu religion, the Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj, in
Muslim religion Aligarh and Ahmedia movement, in Sikh religion
Akali movement and in Parasi religion Rahnumai Majdayasan Sabha
came into existence.  Brahmo Samaj: The phrase Brahmo Samaj
literally means the society of the worshippers of the One True
God. Brahmo means one who worships Brahma, the Supreme Spirit of
the universe and Samaj means a community of men. The Brahmo
Samaj therefore represents a body of men who want to establish
the worship of the Supreme Being in spir