how did the reformers seek to end the caste system ?
Answers
Answer:
How did the reformers seek to end the caste system?
In my limited reading and understanding, there were very few reformers whose intent and impact was specific to Caste System.
Often Bhakthi saints are appropriated as Caste Reformers, they were not - their position was that when it comes to devotion, caste does not matter. Any reform was collateral. They were more focussed on the adulation of their deity and devotion.
Colonial reformers - Arya Samaj, Brahmo Samaj etc. were busy recasting Hindu Dharma to be more palatable to the Abrahamic monotheistic masters, they were popular only with the urban elite and died a very quick death, once their founders passed away.
Nationalist reformers - Rajaji, Bharathiyar, Gandhi etc. Their focus was independence, they know caste stratification was an obstacle in forging a mass movement and hence worked to eliminate it. But to be fair, they also went beyond the needs of just the freedom movement. Rajaji in fact breached the non-cooperation movement where the lawyers decided not to vakalat to protest against the British and appeared for a pariah arrested for entering the temple, though not as an advocate.
Socio-Political reformers - Ambedkar, M.C .Rajah, EVR, Kanshi Ram etc. In a mirror image of the nationalist, these set of people - got their agendas of reform hijacked for political power either in their lifetimes or right after.
Answer:
Typical reformers of 19th and 20th centuries wanted to end the caste system by making it ineffective.
They tried to enable lower castes to access primary and secondary education.
If everyone has same education, it is a matter of time that social status becomes irrelevant.