Topic: SRRM - Review (సమీక్ష)

 

Topic: SRRM - Review (సమీక్ష)

Overall Purpose: To summarize the positive & negative aspects, characteristics, and impact of SRRMs for both Mains (analytical) and Prelims (MCQ) exam perspectives.

I. Mains Perspective: Positives (సానుకూల అంశాలు) & Negatives/Limitations (ప్రతికూల అంశాలు/పరిమితులు)

• Common Mains Questions:

  1. Explain the "dual nature" (ద్వంద్వ స్వభావం) / internal conflicts within SRRMs.

  2. How did SRRMs promote Nationalism/Patriotism (జాతీయత/దేశభక్తి)? Explain.

  3. Explain the features (లక్షణాలు) and limitations (పరిమితులు) of SRRMs.

  4. Discuss specific reformers (e.g., RRMR, Narayan Guru).

• Positive Aspects (సానుకూల అంశాలు):

  1. Promoted Rational Thinking / Logical Thought (తార్కిక ఆలోచన / హేతువాద దృక్పథం): Encouraged questioning religious practices instead of blind faith.

  2. Expanded focus from just Religious Reform (మతసంస్కరణ) to Social Reform (సమాజ సంస్కరణ) and Women's Empowerment/Awareness (మహిళా చైతన్యం).

     • Examples: Abolition of Sati (RRMR), Widow Remarriage (Vidyasagar), Women's Education (Bethune College, Rakiya Hussain).

  3. Fostered Nationalism / Patriotism (జాతీయత / దేశభక్తి): Instilled pride in Indian culture and heritage, leading to calls for self-rule.

     • Example: Dayananda Saraswati's "Swaraj" slogan.

  4. Promoted Modernization (ఆధునీకరణ) without necessarily complete Westernization (పాశ్చాతీకరణ): Advocated adopting Western education (especially science) while retaining valuable aspects of Indian culture.

  5. Promoted ideals of Universal Brotherhood (విశ్వమానవ సౌభ్రాతృత్వం).

  6. Aimed for a Casteless and Classless Society (కుల, వర్గ రహిత సమాజం).

  7. Challenged Brahmin Priestly Dominance and complex rituals, making religion more accessible/personal. Criticized intermediaries (పురోహితులు) between God and devotee.

  8. Stimulated the growth of Vernacular Literature and Press (పత్రిక రంగం అభివృద్ధి) (e.g., Samvad Kaumudi, Rast Goftar).

• Negative Aspects / Limitations (ప్రతికూల అంశాలు / పరిమితులు):

  1. Internal Conflicts / Dual Nature (ద్వంద్వ స్వభావం / ఘర్షణ): Constant friction between:

     • Reformist (పునర్జీవన - reforming existing structures) tendencies.

     • Revivalist (పునరుద్ధరణ - returning to past glory) tendencies.

     • Movements often clashed with each other (e.g., Arya Samaj vs. Brahmo Samaj; Aligarh vs. Deoband).

  2. Limited Scope: Focused heavily on Religion (మతం) and neglected other fields of Indian culture like Science & Technology (S&T), Architecture (వాస్తు), Sculpture (శిల్పం), Literature (సాహిత్యం). (Journalism was an exception).

  3. Selective Glorification of History: Glorified ancient Indian (Hindu) past while often ignoring or criticizing medieval Indian (associated with Muslim rule) contributions. This created a Hindu-Muslim Divide (హిందూ-ముస్లిం మధ్య విభజన).

  4. Contribution to Communalism: Emphasis on distinct religious identities and revivalist activities (e.g., Shuddhi Movement by Arya Samaj, Tablighi Movement by Muslims) indirectly fueled Religious Division (మత విభజన) and the Two-Nation Theory (ద్విజాతి / రెండు దేశాల సిద్ధాంతం).

  5. Linkage with Colonialism: Some reformers, in their quest for modernization (ఆధునీకరణ), went too far and ended up supporting British Colonial rule (వలసవాదాన్ని సమర్ధన), viewing it as beneficial or necessary for progress.

     • Examples: Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

II. Prelims / MCQ Perspective: Categorization of Movements

• SRRMs can be broadly categorized:

  1. Reformist (సంస్కరణ/పునర్జీవన): Aimed to reform/modernize existing practices.

     • Examples: Brahmo Samaj, Aligarh Movement, Ahmadiyya Movement.

  2. Revivalist (పునరుద్ధరణ): Aimed to revive past purity/traditions.

     • Examples: Arya Samaj, Deoband Movement, Wahabi Movement.

  3. Radical (రాడికల్): More confrontational, sometimes advocating violence or extreme change.

     • Examples: Young Bengal Movement, Faraizi Movement (later phase under Dudu Miyan), Titu Mir Movement, Babbar Akali Movement.

  4. Anti-Reform / Counter-Reform (ప్రతి సంస్కరణ): Opposed the reform movements to preserve orthodoxy.

     • Examples: Dharma Sabha, Bharat Dharma Mahamandal.

  5. Primarily Religious Focus (మతం): Focused almost exclusively on religious reform/administration, with less emphasis on broader social change initially.

     • Example: Akali Movement (initially focused on Gurudwara control).

• Key Facts for MCQs: Founder, Year, Place, Key Publication/Institution, Slogan, Specific Reform (e.g., Sati, Widow Remarriage). (Stressed throughout the lecture series).

III. References Mentioned:

• Spectrum Series

• NCERT (especially Class 8 Social Studies)

• Degree 2nd Year Textbook (Telugu Academy - ఎర్రవట్ట పుస్తకం)

• Ambedkar Pragati Series

IV. Next Topic:

• The next lecture will focus on Women's Reforms (మహిళల సంస్కరణ) in detail.