Furdunji Naoroji, S.S.Bengali founded the Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha (Parsis’ Reform Society) in Mumbai in 1851.
Newspaper: Rast Goftar (The Truth Teller).
The leaders of the Sabha criticized elaborate ceremonies at betrothals, marriages and funerals.
They opposed both infant marriage and the use of astrology.
Behrramji Malabari organized a campaign for legislation against the practice of child marriage and started a newspaper in the name “Mahapav Balya Vivah”.
The community produced many leaders such as Pherozeshah Mehta and Dinshaw Wacha who played a big role in the early Congress.
Sikh Reform Movement
Nirankari Movement
Founder: Baba Dayal Das,
The worship of god as Nirankar (formless).
Rejection of idols, rejection of rituals associated with idolatry
Reverence for the authority of Guru Nanak and of the Adi Granth formed the essence of his teachings.
He reiterated the prohibition on meat-eating, and liquor consumption.
The Namdhari Movement
Founder: Baba Ram Singh,
The Namdharis insisted on wearing the symbols of Sikhism except the Kirpan (sword).
Instead Baba Ram Singh wanted his followers to carry a lathi.
It considered both men and women equal and accepted widow remarriage.
It prohibited the dowry system and child marriage.
Singh Sabha –Amritsar
Its main objective was to restore the purity of Sikhism.
With the support of British, it established Khalsa College for the Sikhs in Amritsar.
Singh Sabha was a forerunner of Political Movement the Akali Movement (1873).
