(i) Iyothee Thassar went to Sri Lanka in 1898 and converted to Buddhism. In the same year, he founded the Sakya Buddhist Society at Madras to construct the rational religious philosophy through Buddhist religion.
(ii) He argued that the so-called untouchables were originally Buddhists who were stigmatized by Brahminism.

i) Jyotiba Phule opened first school for "untouchables" in 1852 Poona.
ii) He launched the Satyashodak Samaj in 1870 to stir the non -Brahmin masses to self-respect and ambition.
iii) Phule opposed child marriage and supported widow remarriage.
iv) He and his wife devoted their lives for the upliftment of depressed classes and women.
v) Jyotiba opened orphanages and homes for widows.

i) Brahmo Samaj eradicated sati, child marriage and polygamy.
ii) Samaj forbade idol worship and meaningless religious rites and ceremonies.

English education:
i) English education introduced with the objective of producing clerks also produced a new English educated middle class.
ii) This class came under the influence of western ideas and thoughts.
Role of Christianity:
i) Christianity also had its effect on the newly emerging middle class.
ii) The educated middle class began to take a lead in political as well as in reform movements.
Western ideas:
i) The Indian reformers were quite hesitant to subject their old notions and habits to critical scrutiny. Instead they attempted to harmonize both Indian and western cultures.
ii)Their ideas and their actions helped to mitigate social evils such as sati, female infanticide and child marriage and various superstitious beliefs.
Role of scholars and writers:
i) The scholars and writers were an inspiration for the people towards the reform movements.
ii) As the society was having a number of evil practices like sati, child marriage and polygamy there was an urgent need for reform in the society.
iii) These were the circumstances that led to the reform movement in the 19^th century.