Hinduism in today's world is a reflection of the continuous and progressive changes that have occurred in its various traditions and institutions throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
By the end of eighteenth century, many ill-practices had crept into the religion, such as superstition, rigid rituals, social obscurantism, tyrannical polytheism and rites like animal sacrifice. Women were put through many tortures and injustices in the name of Hinduism. The Caste System had led to segregation and untouchability. It was the reformist changes to such practices that brought about the emergence of modern Hinduism.
The reform process was influenced by rational thought, exposure to Western Culture and modern education and also by the ideals of humanism, rationalism and religious universalism. This ‘awakening’ had different strands combating the conservative elements, imbibing a rational western outlook, adopting a western education system, countering Christian missionary criticism, supporting revivalist tendencies, reforming the legal system and improving social work.