Topic: Parsi & Sikh Religious Reform Movements (RM)

 

Topic: Parsi & Sikh Religious Reform Movements (RM)

Speaker's Context & Exam Relevance:

• These movements have less scope for questions compared to Hindu & Muslim movements, especially for Group 2/PC exams.

• Focus on basic facts: Organization name, Founder, Key Publications/Actions.

• In-depth analysis (like for Group 1 Mains) is generally not required.

• Reference Books: Degree Books (Telugu Academy - ఎర్రవట్ట పుస్తకం), Spectrum.

I. Parsi Reform Movement (పార్శీ)

• Main Organization: Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (రహనుమా మజ్దూ యాస్న సభ) - Parsi Religious Reform Association.

  • Year Founded: 1851 (Speaker incorrectly says 1891, but 1851 is the widely accepted date).

  • Meaning: Mazdayasnan refers to the worship of Ahura Mazda (Parsi God). The Sabha aimed to reform Parsi religious practices.

  • Key Figures:

    • Furdunji Naoroji (ఫిర్దోంజీ నౌరోజీ) - President (అధ్యక్షుడు). (Potential Question).

    • S.S. Bengalee (ఎస్.ఎస్. బెంగాలీ) - Secretary (కార్యదర్శి).

    • Dadabhai Naoroji (దాదాబాయి నౌరోజీ) - Prominent Member.

  • Publications Associated with Sabha/Members:

    • S.S. Bengalee's Journals: Jagat Premi (జగత్ ప్రేమి), Jagat Mitra (జగత్ మిత్ర).

    • Sabha's Newspaper: Rast Goftar (రాస్ట్ గఫ్తర్).

      • Editor/Conducted by: Dadabhai Naoroji (సంపాదకీయం).

      • Meaning: "Truth Teller".

      • Language: Gujarati & English.

• Other Parsi Reform Efforts:

  • Behramji M. Malabari: (Discussed earlier) - Parsi reformer focused on women's issues (child marriage, widow remarriage).

    • Founded Seva Sadan (సేవా సదన్) in Bombay (బాంబే) for women and girls' welfare.

    • First President of Seva Sadan: Ramabai Saraswati (రమాబాయి సరస్వతి).

II. Sikh Reform Movement (సిక్కు)

1. Singh Sabha Movement (సింగ్ సభ):

   • Start of Sikh Reform: Considered the beginning of reform efforts.

   • Year Founded: 1873 (Speaker notes Telugu Academy book might say 1890, but dismisses it).

   • Founder/Leader: Giani Gian Singh (గియాని సింగ్).

   • Key Action: Established Khalsa Pathshala (కల్సా పాఠశాల) (Khalsa School) in Amritsar (అమృత్సర్).

     • Purpose: To propagate the Khalsa system (కల్సా సిస్టం) and Sikh teachings.

2. Nirankari Movement (నిరంకార ఉద్యమం):

   • Meaning: Nirankar = Formless (ఆకారము లేనిది). Worship of the formless God. Opposed idol worship.

   • Core Belief: God is One and Formless.

   • Nature: Included a Shuddhi (శుద్ధి ఉద్యమం) aspect – reconverting Sikhs who had adopted other religious practices (Hindu, Christian).

   • Founder: Baba Dayal Singh (బాబా దయాళ్ సింగ్). (Speaker's Mnemonic: Dayyam (Ghost) has no form -> Nirankar -> Dayal Singh).

3. Namdhari Movement (నాంధారి):

   • Meaning: Nam = Name. Emphasis on chanting God's name (నామస్మరణ).

   • Founder: Ram Singh (రామ్ సింగ్). (Speaker's Mnemonic: Rama Namam).

   • Associated Group: Kuka Movement (కూకాస్):

     • Followers of Namdhari who chanted God's name loudly and emotionally (Kuka = cry/shout).

     • Founder (Kuka): Bhagat Jawahar Mal (భగత్ జవహర్ మల్). (Distinction between Namdhari founder and Kuka founder).

4. Akali Movement (అకాలీ ఉద్యమం):

   • Context: Sikh Gurudwaras (గురుద్వారా) were controlled by corrupt priests called Mahants (మహంతులు).

   • Problem: Mahants misused Gurudwara funds for luxury, became corrupt, and were loyal to the British (seen as anti-nationalist). They even honored General Dyer (జనరల్ డయ్యర్) after Jallianwala Bagh with a Saropa (సరోపని - robe/cloth of honour).

   • Goal: To remove corrupt Mahants and reform Gurudwara administration.

   • Leaders: Tara Singh (తారా సింగ్), Kartar Singh (కర్తర్ సింగ్).

   • Outcome: Successful movement leading to government action.

   • Legislation: Sikh Gurudwara Act passed in 1922, amended in 1925.

   • Key Institution Formed: SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) (శిరోమణి గురు ప్రబంధక్ కమిటీ) - established by the Act to manage Gurudwaras, replacing Mahants.

   • First President of SGPC: Kharak Singh (కరక్ సింగ్) (Emphasized by speaker).

5. Babbar Akali Movement (బబ్బర్ అకాలి): (Mentioned Briefly)

   • Nature: Violent/Militant offshoot of the Akali movement.

   • Meaning: Babbar = Lion (సింహం).

   • Stance: Rejected Gandhi's non-violence (NCM). Believed in using force (sword - కత్తి) against the British, arguing the British ruled by force (cannon/sword - ఫిరంగి, కత్తి).

   • Connection: Many members were immigrants (e.g., from Canada - కెనడా వాళ్ళు) and later associated with the Ghadar Movement (గద్దర్). (Will be discussed later).

Concluding Remarks:

• The speaker mentions the next class will summarize the achievements, characteristics, positive and negative aspects of all the SRRMs covered (Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, Sikh). This summary is important for Group 1 Mains and Group 2.

• A question for viewers: What kind of movement was the Akali Movement? (Social, Religious, Both, None).

Overall Summary:

• Parsi and Sikh reforms had specific organizations and leaders but are generally considered less critical for exams than Hindu/Muslim reforms.

• Key Parsi elements: Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha, Rast Goftar, key leaders like Furdunji Naoroji, Dadabhai Naoroji.

• Key Sikh elements: Singh Sabha (start), Nirankari (formless God), Namdhari/Kuka (chanting), Akali (Gurudwara reform, SGPC formation), Babbar Akali (militant offshoot).