In 19th century, India witnessed a series of social and religious reforms that contributed to the rise of nationalism.
The central figure of this awakening was Raja Rammohan Roy, a great patriot, scholar, and humanist who founded the Brahmo Samaj. He fought relentlessly against social evils like sati, polygamy, and caste discrimination.
Religious leaders like Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Sister Nivedita, and Swami Dayananda Saraswathi, founder of the Arya Samaj, all proclaimed the essential oneness of all religions.
In addition, great men like Subramanya Bharathy, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Rabindranath Tagore and Dadabhai Naoroji also played a role in making Indians proud of their heritage and determined to preserve it at all costs.
