Characterise the main features of Indian Renaissance.

During first half of the 19th century aim of the intellectual attacks were the existing social and cultural evils and malpractices such as obscurantism, superstitious and irrationality embedded in the society.
The main means used for the propagation of ideas and for the creation of favourable public opinion were the urban communication channels, such as the press, lectures, sabhas and propaganda network.

Indian Renaissance was started under the influence of the western thinkers. Main features of Indian Renaissance were as follows:

• A new way of studying Indian past was brought in.
• Reinterpretation of Indian religious text and rituals was made, which brought irregularities and mal-practices in our religion into light at that time.
• A new movement for socio-religious reforms were started under Raja Ram Mohan Roy and other intellectuals.
• It was influenced by western thinkers.
• Indian Renaissance gave rise to study of English literature thoughts, philosophies and books of history.
• Over political movements it has some influence and later on it was perfectly adopted by political movements.

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