Sikh and Other Movements — Definition

Definition

Sikh and other community reform movements in colonial India used religious debate, social change, education and institutional organisation to address perceived problems within their communities. Sikh currents included Nirankari and Namdhari reform, Singh Sabha educational work and the later Akali struggle over gurdwara management.

The Parsi Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha offers a comparison in association-based reform and education. These movements had distinct aims, dates and relationships with colonial rule. Their shared use of institutions does not make them one continuous organisation or establish that social inequalities disappeared wherever a reform association was founded.