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Social Movements

In a society a large number of changes have been brought about by efforts exerted by people individually and collectively. Such efforts have been called social movements. A social movement is defined as a collectively acting with some continuity to promote or resist a change in the society or group of which it is a part. Social movement is a form of dynamic pluralistic behavior that progressively develops structure through time and aims at partial or complete modification of the social order. A social movement may also be directed to resist a change. Some movements are directed to modify certain aspects of the existing social order whereas others may aim to change it completely. The former are called reform movements and the latter are called revolutionary movements. Social movements may be of numerous kinds such as religious movements, reform movements or revolutionary movements. Lundberg defined social movement as a voluntary association of people engaged in concerted efforts to change attitudes, behavior and social relationships in a larger society.

Main features of social movement may be
It is an effort by a group.
Its aim is to bring or resist a change in society
It may be organized or unorganized.
It may be peaceful or violent
Its life is not certain. It may continue for a long period or may die out soon.

Reform Movements
  1. Arya Samaj
   Main principals of Arya Samaj
  2. Satya Sodhak Samaj
    Main Principles of Satya Sodhak Samaj
  3. Ram Krishna Mission
   Main principles of Shri Rama Krishna Paramahansa
  4. Sri Narayanguru Dharma Paripalana Sabha
Peasant Movements
Backward Castes Movement
  1. Self -respect Movement
  2. Backward caste mobilization in North India
  1. Mahar Movement
Middle Class Movements
Nativist Movement
Indian Environment Movement