Interaction
Year : 2017, Volume : 35, Issue : 3
First page : ( 53) Last page : ( 55)
Print ISSN : 0970-5554. Online ISSN : 2456-8961.

Ravidasiya cult and social change in India: A social history

Kumari Archana

Research Scholar, Department of Sociology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

Online published on 11 July, 2018.

Abstract

Indian society exhibits social diversities and religious pluralism. Hinduism, the dominant religion of India has a long history and tradition. The ideology of hierarchy based on caste which generated evil practices like untouchability in later Vedic era was contested socially as well as religiously. It led to the rise of Buddhism and Jainism, which emerged from within the Hindu religion itself. Later on in medieval and modern era, several social and religious reform moments attempted to reform the evil customs and practices prevailing in Hindu society. Saint Kabir, Raidas and several other played a significant role in transforming India society from the principle of inequality to equality and from knowledge to Bhakti. Influenced by their charismatic personality, alternative path of worship and humanitarianism, their followers created seats like Kabir cult, Ravidas Panth, et al. The emergence and development of these panths led to several social change and awakening in Indian society. The present paper deals with Ravidas Cult from a social historical perspective and its impacts on Indian society and culture.

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