Approach:

5. Introduction: Highlight status of nationalism in India in the pre 19th century period.
6. Body: Describe how socio religious reform movements created national consciousness including suitable examples.
7. Conclude: Finally conclude by highlighting how congress completed the task that was started by socio religious reform movements.

Ans: Before the 19th century, India was a collection of diverse and fragmented states, with local identities taking precedence over any sense of a unified national identity. The concept of nationalism was almost non-existent. People identified more with their religion, caste, region, or language rather than with India as a single nation.

The socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century played a crucial role in shaping national consciousness and laying the foundation for modern Indian nationalism. Here’s how they contributed:

1. Critique of Social Evils: Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Jyotirao Phule highlighted and criticized social evils such as sati, child marriage, caste discrimination, and the plight of widows. By addressing these issues, they promoted a sense of moral and social awakening among Indians, encouraging them to think beyond regional and caste barriers.
2. Revival and Reform of Religion: Movements like the Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, and Prarthana Samaj aimed to purify and modernize Hinduism. By advocating a return to the ‘true’ essence of religion, free from superstitions and rituals, these movements fostered a sense of unity among Hindus. This unity was crucial for developing a broader national identity.
3. Education and Rationalism: Reformers stressed the importance of modern education, rational thinking, and scientific temper. Organizations like the Aligarh Movement, led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, promoted Western education among Muslims. This focus on education helped in creating an informed and critical population that could engage with ideas of nationalism and democracy.
4. Women’s Rights: The push for women’s education and rights by reformers like Savitribai Phule and Pandita Ramabai played a significant role in changing societal attitudes. The upliftment of women and their increased participation in public life added to the broader sense of community and national identity.
5. Inter-religious Harmony: Efforts were made to bridge gaps between different religious communities. Reformers promoted values of tolerance and coexistence, which were essential for building a unified national movement. For example, the Theosophical Society, led by Annie Besant, worked to find commonalities between different religions.
6. Creation of a Middle Class: The spread of English education and the reforms led to the rise of an educated middle class. This new class of lawyers, teachers, journalists, and bureaucrats became the leaders of the national movement. They used their knowledge and position to articulate and spread the ideas of nationalism.

The socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century were instrumental in creating a sense of national consciousness by addressing social issues, promoting education, and fostering unity among diverse communities. These movements laid the groundwork for modern Indian nationalism, which was further strengthened and carried forward by the Indian National Congress in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Congress, founded in 1885, united various groups under the common cause of independence, completing the task that the reform movements had started by turning social and religious awakening into a political struggle for freedom.