Laws for social reform, girls' education and the impact of the reform movements sheet6-mark answer frameIn what ways did the socio-religious reform movements change Indian society? Explain, with one limitation.
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
- 1 · Open in one line. The 19th century reform movements created new social and religious awareness among Indians.
- 2 · Rational outlook. They stressed reason and science, and blended modern ideas with Indian culture.
- 3 · Caste. They attacked caste rigidity and untouchability and worked for equality.
- 4 · Women. Laws banned sati (1829), allowed widow remarriage (1856) and fixed marriage ages (Sharda Act, 1929); girls' schools spread.
- 5 · National pride. They built self-respect and pride in India, and women joined the freedom struggle.
- 6 · Limitation. They reached mainly the educated few, not the peasants and urban poor.
- 7 · Close in one line. So they laid the social base of the national movement.
Scoring tip: Five strong points and one limitation make a balanced 6-mark answer within 120 words.
