How did the reformers seek to end the caste system?
Answers
I think it will be the answer for your question
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.
So majority of mainstream caste related reform in India, either has been collateral to something, or has been transformed into something else.
But that is how it should be. Despite the popular morons, for whom everything is a caste conspiracy, it is always a nuanced thing, overlapping many motives and dynamics.
So the reformers, simply applied the most suitable leverage at any point, which overrode the need for caste separation. Of course not everybody felt it was an advantage, so did not subscribe.
As simple as that.
Devotion over differentiation
Political power over separation
Economic benefits over segregation.
When interests align, society transforms. But all we do is trade in one set of inequalities for another set.
For inequality is our natural state.