Chronological List of Socio-Religious Movements with Founders and British Governors.

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Illustration of key socio-religious reform movements in India during the British colonial period, featuring historical figures like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Jyotiba Phule, and Mother Teresa

Chronological List of Socio-Religious Movements with Founders and British Governors

If you’re preparing for UPSC, State PSCs, SSC, or other competitive exams, mastering socio-religious movements is essential. Here is a complete chronological list of these movements with their founders and the British governors of the time. This list is designed to simplify your revision process.

For comprehensive preparation and affordable test series, check out SR Study — one of the best platforms for test series and exam preparation.

List of Socio-Religious Movements (Ascending Order)

YearMovement/OrganisationFounder(s)British Governor/Administrator
1820s-1860sWahabi MovementShah WalliulahVarious Governors (Bentinck to Lawrence)
1828Brahmo SamajRaja Ram Mohan RoyLord William Bentinck
1839Tattvabodhini SabhaDebendranath TagoreLord Auckland
1849Paramhansa SabhaDadoba PandurangLord Dalhousie
1866Deoband MovementMuhammed Qasim Wanatavi & Rashid GangoliLord John Lawrence
1867Prarthana SamajDr. Atmaram PandurangLord John Lawrence
1873Satyashodhak SamajJyotiba PhuleLord Northbrook
1875Arya SamajSwami Dayanand SaraswatiLord Northbrook
1875Aligarh MovementSir Syed Ahmed KhanLord Northbrook
1875Theosophical SocietyMadame H.P. Blavatsky & Col. H.S. OlcottLord Northbrook
1889Ahmadiyya MovementMirza Ghulam AhmedLord Lansdowne
1897Ramakrishna MissionSwami VivekanandaLord Elgin II
1904Abhinav BharatVeer SavarkarLord Curzon
1905Servants of India SocietyGopal Krishna GokhaleLord Curzon
1909Seva SadanBehramji MalabariLord Minto II
1916Home Rule MovementAnnie Besant & Bal Gangadhar TilakLord Chelmsford
1921Vishwa BharatiRabindranath TagoreLord Reading
1921Servants of People SocietyLala Lajpat RaiLord Reading
1925Self-Respect MovementE.V. Ramaswami NaickerLord Reading
1929Khudai KhidmatgarKhan Abdul Gaffar KhanLord Irwin
1938Bharatiya Vidya BhavanKanhaiyalal Maneklal MunshiLord Linlithgow
1945People’s Education SocietyDr. B.R. AmbedkarLord Wavell
1950Missionaries of CharityMother TeresaIndependent India
1950Van MahotsavK.M. MunshiIndependent India
1951Bhoodan MovementVinoba BhaveIndependent India
1953Chinmaya MissionSwami ChinmayanandaIndependent India
1973Chipko MovementSunderlal BahugunaIndependent India
1976PUCLJaya Prakash NarayanIndependent India
1985Narmada Bachao AndolanMedha PatkarIndependent India

📝 Why is This Important for Exams?

Understanding these movements provides insights into:

  1. Social Reform Trends in India.
  2. Key Figures who shaped modern India.
  3. British Policies and their impact on society.

For mock tests, study plans, and resources tailored for these topics, visit SR Study. Their affordable test series and expert-guided materials make them a top choice for aspirants.

📊 Memory Chart for Quick Revision

Early 19th Century (1820s – 1830s)

  • Brahmo Samaj (1828) – Raja Ram Mohan Roy – Lord William Bentinck
  • Tattvabodhini Sabha (1839) – Debendranath Tagore – Lord Auckland

Mid 19th Century (1840s – 1870s)

  • Paramhansa Sabha (1849) – Dadoba Pandurang – Lord Dalhousie
  • Deoband Movement (1866) – Muhammed Qasim Wanatavi – Lord John Lawrence
  • Prarthana Samaj (1867) – Dr. Atmaram Pandurang – Lord John Lawrence
  • Arya Samaj (1875) – Swami Dayanand Saraswati – Lord Northbrook
  • Aligarh Movement (1875) – Sir Syed Ahmed Khan – Lord Northbrook

Late 19th Century (1880s – 1890s)

  • Ahmadiyya Movement (1889) – Mirza Ghulam Ahmed – Lord Lansdowne
  • Ramakrishna Mission (1897) – Swami Vivekananda – Lord Elgin II

Early 20th Century (1900s – 1920s)

  • Abhinav Bharat (1904) – Veer Savarkar – Lord Curzon
  • Servants of India Society (1905) – Gopal Krishna Gokhale – Lord Curzon
  • Seva Sadan (1909) – Behramji Malabari – Lord Minto II
  • Home Rule Movement (1916) – Annie Besant & Tilak – Lord Chelmsford
  • Vishwa Bharati (1921) – Rabindranath Tagore – Lord Reading
  • Servants of People Society (1921) – Lala Lajpat Rai – Lord Reading
  • Self-Respect Movement (1925) – E.V. Ramaswami Naicker – Lord Reading
  • Khudai Khidmatgar (1929) – Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan – Lord Irwin

Post-Independence Movements

  • Missionaries of Charity (1950) – Mother Teresa
  • Van Mahotsav (1950) – K.M. Munshi
  • Bhoodan Movement (1951) – Vinoba Bhave
  • Chinmaya Mission (1953) – Swami Chinmayananda
  • Chipko Movement (1973) – Sunderlal Bahuguna
  • PUCL (1976) – Jaya Prakash Narayan
  • Narmada Bachao Andolan (1985) – Medha Patkar

Tips to Remember

  1. Chronological Grouping: Remember movements by decades.
  2. Governors: Associate movements with notable British Governors like Lord Bentinck, Lord Curzon, or Lord Reading.
  3. Mnemonic Devices:
    • For 19th-century movements: “Brave Day’s Attempted Refornations” → Brahmo, Deoband, Arya, Ramakrishna.
    • For 20th-century movements: “Heroic Activists Sought Knowledge” → Home Rule, Abhinav Bharat, Self-Respect, Khudai Khidmatgar.

This systematic approach can help you master key socio-religious movements for your exams!

Quick Revision Tip

  • Divide Movements by Century:
    • 19th Century: Focus on Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Aligarh Movement.
    • 20th Century: Focus on Home Rule Movement, Servants of India Society, Self-Respect Movement.
  • Use Mnemonics and Timeline Diagrams for better retention.

Stay prepared and ace your exams with SR Study! 🚀

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