In course of the 19th century, the agenda of social reform was gradually replaced by revivalism.

Answer:

The 19th century began with strong social reform efforts influenced by Western education, rationalism and humanitarian ideas. However, as colonial criticism of Indian society increased and nationalism developed, many movements increasingly turned towards religious and cultural revivalism to defend indigenous identity.

Early Social Reform Agenda

Rational and humanitarian reform:

• Reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy attacked sati, idolatry, caste rigidity and social customs through reason and scriptural reinterpretation.
• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar supported widow remarriage and women’s education.
• Reform movements like the Brahmo Samaj and Prarthana Samaj emphasised monotheism, social reform and ethical religion.

Focus on social evils:

• Early reformers addressed sati, child marriage, widowhood, caste discrimination and women’s education.
• They used both Western liberal ideas and Indian scriptures to justify reform.

Growth of Revivalism

Defence of tradition:

• By the later 19th century, colonial and missionary attacks made Indians more defensive about their culture.
• Movements such as Arya Samaj emphasised a return to the Vedas.
• Hindu revivalist and Islamic reformist currents sought purification and recovery of original traditions.

Link with nationalism:

• Revivalism helped build cultural pride and resistance to colonial claims of superiority.
• It provided emotional energy to nationalism.

Critical Assessment

However, social reform was not completely replaced. Reform and revival often coexisted. Arya Samaj, for example, promoted Vedic revivalism but also supported education and social reform. Similarly, Aligarh reform combined Muslim modernisation with community consciousness.

Therefore, the statement is partly valid. The reformist agenda did not disappear, but in the later 19th century it was increasingly shaped, moderated or overshadowed by cultural revivalism and community-based identity.