Learn about the Seva Sadan, founded by Behramji M. Malabari to aid exploited women and promote widow remarriage. Discover the Dev Samaj, established by Shiv Narayan Agnihotri to advocate moral behavior and social reforms. Also, explore the Dharma Sabha, founded by Radhakant Deb, which aimed to maintain traditional socio-religious practices while supporting Western education.
Founder: Behramji M. Malabari (1853-1912), a Parsi social reformer, founded the Seva Sadan in 1908 along with Diwan Dayaram Gidumal.
Advocacy: Malabari was a strong advocate against child marriage and for widow remarriage among Hindus. His efforts contributed to the enactment of the Age of Consent Act, which regulated the age of consent for females.
Mission: Seva Sadan specialized in providing care for women who were exploited and discarded by society. It catered to all castes and provided education, medical, and welfare services to destitute women.
Publications: Behramji Malabari acquired and edited the Indian Spectator.
Founder: Founded in 1887 at Lahore by Shiv Narayan Agnihotri (1850-1927), who was earlier a Brahmo follower.
Focus: Dev Samaj is a religious and social reform society emphasizing the eternity of the soul, the supremacy of the guru, and the need for good actions. It advocated ideal social behavior such as not accepting bribes, avoiding intoxicants and non-vegetarian food, and refraining from violent actions.
Teachings: The teachings of the society were compiled in a book called Deva Shastra. Agnihotri was also known for speaking against child marriage.
Orthodoxy: The Dharma Sabha was an orthodox society that aimed to preserve the status quo in socio-religious matters, opposing reforms such as the abolition of sati.
Education: Despite its orthodox stance, the Sabha favored the promotion of Western education, including for girls.
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