Revivalism movements are characterized by intense religious fervor and a desire to rejuvenate faith within a community. Throughout history, such movements have played a significant role in shaping societies and religious practices. These movements often arise in response to perceived moral decline or spiritual apathy, seeking to rekindle devotion and adherence to traditional beliefs and practices. Revivalism movements have occurred in various religious traditions worldwide, each with its own unique characteristics and impact on society.
Religious revivalism involves intense religious fervor and aims to rekindle devotion within a community. In the 18th century, Methodists experienced such revivalism across Western society. Similarly, in India, reformist and revivalist movements emerged to address social and religious issues.
Reformist movements like the Brahmo Samaj and Prarthana Samaj, and revivalist movements like the Arya Samaj and the Deoband movement, sought to restore religious purity. They varied in their reliance on tradition versus conscience and reason.
The Arya Samaj, a significant revivalist movement, aimed to bring back Hindus who had converted to other religions through the Shudhi movement. This had a profound impact on Hindus, especially those from lower castes, who sought to improve their social status. Women were also treated equally, especially concerning education.
Causes of Revivalism
- Colonialism’s impact on India’s religious revivalism is significant, as British rule disrupted traditional religious practices and beliefs, leading to a sense of cultural and spiritual loss among Indians.
- Hindu nationalism has also contributed to the resurgence of religious revivalism in India, with the movement seeking to assert Hindu cultural superiority and identity amidst fears of Muslim dominance.
- Social factors, including India’s rigid caste system and hierarchical society, have fueled religious revivalism as marginalized groups turn to religion to express their identity and resist social structures. Movements advocating for the rights of Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalized communities have gained momentum as a result.
Revivalist Movements
Arya Samaj
- Arya Samaj Movement was founded by Dayananda Saraswati in response to Western influences but focused on reviving Vedic knowledge rather than returning to the Vedic era.
- Dayananda, born into a Brahmin family in Gujarat, spent fifteen years wandering as a hermit before officially founding Arya Samaj in Bombay in 1875.
- He emphasized the importance of the Vedas as the foundation of Hinduism and advocated for a caste- and class-less society, a united India free from foreign occupation, and an Aryan religion as the universal faith.
- Dayananda challenged Hindu orthodoxy, caste rigidities, untouchability, idolatry, polytheism, and other practices through his book Satyarth Prakash.
- He believed in the Vedic Chaturvarna system, where one’s status was determined by merit and work rather than birth, and set the minimum marriage age at twenty-five for males and sixteen for females.
- Arya Samaj initiated the shuddhi (purification) drive to reintegrate Christians and Muslims into Hinduism and protect Hindu culture from the influence of Christianity and Islam.
- The shuddhi movement also aimed to convert untouchables and those outside the Hindu caste system into pure caste Hindus, contributing to the communalism and collective political consciousness in India during the 1920s.
Wahabi Movement (1830-1860)
- Leader: Syed Ahmed Barelvi from Rae Bareilly led the movement.
- He was influenced by the teachings of Abdul Wahab of Arabia and Shah Waliullah, a saint from Delhi.
- The movement’s roots were mainly religious in nature.
- The Wahabi movement was centered in Patna but also had missions in Bombay, Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, and Madras.
- In Bengal, it evolved into a class struggle where peasants, despite communal differences, united against landlords.
Deoband Movement (1866)
- Dar al-Uloom Deoband was founded in Deoband, British India, by Muhammad Qasim Nanautavi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi.
- Generally, Deobandis have strongly opposed Sufi devotional practices.
- The movement aimed to spread the clear teachings of the Quran and Hadith among Muslims.
- It disagreed with the ideas promoted by the Aligarh Movement.
- The primary goal was the moral and religious rejuvenation of the Muslim community.
- The establishment of the Indian National Congress was supported by the movement.
In conclusion, the surge of religious revivalism in India stems from various political, social, and economic factors, including colonial legacies, the rise of Hindu nationalism, economic changes, and social transformations. While these movements provide individuals with a sense of identity, they also breed intolerance and sectarianism. To foster a genuinely inclusive and pluralistic society, India must navigate the tensions between religious identity and secular democracy effectively.
Also read Revivalist vs Reformist Movements.