The Socio-Religious Reform Movements of the 19th century aimed to reform Indian society by addressing social evils and religious rigidities, influenced by Western education and emerging middle-class aspirations.

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• The Socio-Religious Reform Movements emerged in 19th-century India to modernise society through social and religious reform.

• British rule exposed social evils such as sati, child marriage, infanticide and caste discrimination, triggering reformist responses.

• Western education, modern science, rationalism and humanism inspired a new intellectual awakening among Indians.

• Freedom of press and new legislative frameworks under British rule facilitated debate on social reforms.

• Reformers believed that religious reform was essential for achieving broader social transformation.

• Leaders like Raja Rammohun Roy, Henry Derozio and Dadoba Pandurang led movements such as Brahmo Samaj, Young Bengal Movement and Parahansa Mandali.

• These movements reflected the aspirations of the newly emerging Indian middle class under colonial rule.

• The reform movements sought a synthesis of Indian traditions with modern Western ideas rather than blind imitation of the West.