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India in the 19th century witnessed a series of reform movements undertaken in various parts of the country. These movements were oriented towards a restructuring of the Indian society along modern lines. This was chiefly due to the exposure to the liberal western ideologies of democracy and individualism. When the British came to India, they introduced the English language as well as certain modern ideas. These ideas were those of liberty, social and economic equality, fraternity, democracy and justice which had a tremendous impact on Indian society. As a consequence, several individuals and movements sought to bring about changes in social and religious practices with a view to referring and revitalizing society. These social and religious reform movements arose among all communities of the Indian people. They attacked bigotry, superstition and the hold of the priestly class. They worked for the abolition of castes and unfounchability, the purdah system, sati child marriage, social inequalities and illiteracy. There were same enlightened Indians like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, Mahatma Phule and many others who were willing of fight and bring reforms to society so that it could far the challenges of the west. Some of the reformers and their reformist movements are discussed as below.