(i) The term 'Preamble' refers to the introduction or preface to the constitution.
(ii) It consists of the ideals, objectives and basic principles of the constitution. It has great value and has been described as the, 'key to the constitution'.

i) Periyar was critical of patriarchy.
ii) He had a concern over the plight of women.
iii) He emphasised women's right to divorce and property.
iv) He condemned child marriage and devadasi system.
v) He believed that property rights for women would provide them social status and protection.
vi) He was a strong champion of birth control.
vii) According to him motherhood was a burden to women.

i) The cultural hegemony of colonialism and the rise of humanism brought several changes in the socio-cultural life of the Indian subcontinent.
ii) Modern Tamil Nadu too experienced such a historical transition. Tamil language and culture played a significant role in their identity construction.
iii) The introduction of printing press, linguistic research on Dravidian languages, etc..... underpinned the process of Tamil renaissance.
iv) Although religious literature was taken up predominantly for publication in the early years after the advent of printing technology, things began to change gradually.

'Magna Carta' is the Charter of Rights issued by King John of England in 1215 under pressure from the barons. This is the first written document relating to the Fundamental Rights of citizens.

i) A writ is an order or command issued by a court in writing under its seal.
ii) It is in the nature of a command or prohibition from performing certain acts that are specified in the orders of the court.
iii) Both the Supreme Court and the High Courts are empowered to issue five kinds of writs.
iv) They are Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari and Quo Warranto.

i) The Constitution is the fundamental law of a country which reflects the fundamental principles on which the government of that country is based
ii) It is the vehicle of a Nation's progress.
iii) The concept of Constitution first originated in USA

i) Ramalinga emphasised the bonds of responsibility and compassion between living beings.
ii) Ramalinga showed his compassion and mercy on all living things including plants. This he called 'Jeeva Karunya'.
iii) He established Samarasa Vedha Sanmarga Sangam.
iv) He also established a free feeding house for everyone irrespective of caste at Vadalur.
v) His songs were compiled under the title "Thiruvarutpa".

He laid down four articles of faith:
 i)  In the beginning there was nothing. The one Supreme Being alone existed who created the universe.
ii)  He alone is the God of Truth, Infinite Wisdom, Goodness, and Power eternal, omnipresent the One without second.
iii)  Our salvation depends on belief in Him and in His worship in this world and the next.
iv)  Belief consists in loving Him and doing His will.

(a) Jyotiba Phule :
i) Jyotiba Govindrao Phule was born in 1827 in Maharashtra. He opened the first school for "untouchables" in 1852 in Poona.
ii) He launched the Satyashodak Samaj in 1870 to stir the non-Brahman masses to self-respect.
iii) Phule opposed child marriage and supported widow remarriage. Jyotiba and his wife Savitribai Phule devoted their lives for the uplift of the depressed classes and women.
iv) Jotiba opened orphanages and homes for widows. His work, Gulamgiri (Slavery) is an important text that summarized many of his radical ideas.
(b) Narayana Guru :
i) Narayana Guru (1854-1928) evolved into a poet and scholar in Malayalam, Tamil and Sanskrit.
ii) He dedicated his whole life for the betterment of the oppressed.
iii) He set up the Sri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, an organization to work for the uplit of the "depressed classes". He established a grand temple at Aruvipuram and dedicated it to all.
iv) Thinkers and writers such as Kumaran Asan and Dr Palpu were influenced by his ideas and carried forward the movement.
(c) Ayyankali :
i) Ayyankali was born in 1863 at Venganoor in Thiruvananthapuram.
ii) The discrimination he faced as a child turned him into a leader of an anti-caste movement and who later fought for basic rights including access to public spaces and entry to schools.
iii) Inspired by Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali founded the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangam (Association for the Protection of the Poor) in 1907.

South Indian Liberal Federation (Justice Party):
a) On 20 November 1916 around 30 prominent non-Brahmin leaders including Dr. C. Natesanar, Sir Pitti Theyagarayar, T.M. Nair and Alamelu Mangai Thayarammal came together to form the South Indian Liberation Federation.
b) Later, the South Indian Liberation Federation came to be called Justice party.
Programmes and Activities:
a) The Justice Party is the fountain head of the non-Brahmin Movement in the country.
b) The Justice Party government widened education and employment opportunities for the majority of the population.
c) The Justice removed the legal hindrances restricting inter-caste marriages and broke the barriers that prevented Depressed Classes from the use of public wells and tanks.
d) The Justice Party government ordered that public schools accommodate the children of the Depressed Classes.
e) Hostels were established for the students belonging to his social group.
f) Women were permitted to participate in the electoral politics in 1921.
g) The Justice Party worked towards legislating provisions for communal representation reservations for various communities.
h) Two Communal Government Orders were passed to ensure equitable distribution in appointments among various castes and communities.
i) The Justice Party rule established the Staff Selection Board in 1924 for the selection of government officials.
j) In 1929, the Public Service Commission was established.
Towards Religion:
a) The Justice Party further concentrated on reforms in religious institutions.
b) The Justice Party introduced the Hindu Religious Endowment (HRE) Act in 1926. It enabled any individual, irrespective of their caste affiliation, to become a member of the temple. committee and govern the resources of the religious institutions.

Tamil Renaissance:
i) The cultural hegemony of colonialism and the rise of humanism brought several changes in the socio-cultural life of the Indian subcontinent.
ii) Modern Tamil Nadu too experienced such a historical transition.
iii) Tamil language and culture played a significant role in their identity construction.
iv) The introduction of printing press, linguistic research on Dravidian languages, etc.... underpinned the process of Tamil renaissance.
v) Although religious literature was taken up predominantly for publication in the early years after the advent of printing technology, things began to change gradually,
vi) Works that can be described as secular were taken up for publishing.
Advent of the Printing Technology:
i) In the nineteenth century, Tamil scholar's like C.W. Damotharanar (1832-1901), and U. V. Swaminathar (1855-1942) spent their lifetime in the rediscovery of the Tamil classics.
C.W. Damotharanar:
i) C.W. Damotharanar collected and edited different palm-leaf manuscripts of the Tamil grammar and literature.
ii) His editions included such texts as Tolkappiyam, Viracholiyam, Iraiayanar Akapporul, Ilakkana Vilakkam, Kaliththokai and Chulamani.
U.V. Swaminathar:
i) U.V. Swaminathar, took efforts to publish the classical texts such as Civakachinthamani,
ii) Pathitrupattu, Purapporul Venpa Malai, Manimekalai, Ainkurunuru and Pathitrupathu.
iii) This provided the Tamil people with a revelation about their heritage.
iv) Therefore, the rediscovery of ancient classics and their publication is considered the foundation of Tamil renaissance.
Works of scholars:
i) The publication of these ancient literary texts created an awareness among the Tamil people about their historical tradition, language, literature and religion.
ii) Modern Tamils founded their social and cultural identity on the ancient Tamil classics, collectively called the Sangam literature.
iii) Tamil intellectuals of this period identified the fundamental differences between Tamil/Dravidian/Egalitarian and Sanskrit/ Aryan/ Brahmanism.
iv) They argued that Tamil was a language of Dravidian people, who are non-Brahmin and their social life was casteless, gender-sensitised and egalitarian.
v) Tamil renaissance contributed to the origin and growth of Dravidian consciousness in the Tamil country.
vi) These ideas are exemplified in the Tamil invocation song written by Manonmaniam P.Sundaranar.
Other scholars:
i) C.W. Damotharanar, U.V Swaminathar, Thiru. Vi. Kalyanasundaram, Parithimar Kalaignar, Maraimalai Adigal, Subramanian Bharati, S. Vaiyapuri and the poet Bharatidasan, in their own ways and through their writings contributed to the revival of Tamil literature.
ii) Maraimalai Adigal's pure Tamil Movement, the language reforms of Periyar and Tamil Isai movement helped to galvanise the Tamil language.

Ramakrishna:
i) Ramakrishna was a simple priest of Dakshineswar Kali temple.
ii) He emphasised the spiritual union with God through ecstatic practices such as singing bhajans.
iii) In his view, all religions contain the universal elements which if practised would lead to salvation.
iv) He said, "Jiva is Siva".
v) He said not mercy, but service for man must be regarded as God.
vi) Ramakrishna's primary achievement was his ability to attract educated youth who were dissatisfied with the rational orientation of religious reform organizations such as the Brahmo Samaj.
vii) After his death, his disciples organised themselves as a religious community and undertook the task of making his life and teaching known in India and abroad.
viii) Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission. It did not restrict itself to religious activities.
ix) But it was involved in social causes such as education, health care and relief in times of calamities.
Swami Vivekananda:
i) Swami Vivekananda was the prime follower of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
ii) He was dissatisfied with conventional philosophical positions and practices.
iii) He advocated the practical vedanta of service to humanity.
iv) He attacked the tendency to defend every institution simply because it was connected with religion.
v) He made a call to Indian youth to regenerate Hindu society.
vi) His ideas bread a sense of self confidence among Indians.
vii) He became famous for his address on Hinduism at the World Congress of Religions at Chicago.
viii) Many youths were inspired by Vivekananda.

English education:
i) English education introduced with the objective of producing clerks also produced a new English educated middle class.
ii) This class came under the influence of western ideas and thoughts.
Role of Christianity:
i) Christianity also had its effect on the newly emerging middle class.
ii) The educated middle class began to take a lead in political as well as in reform movements.
Western ideas:
i) The Indian reformers were quite hesitant to subject their old notions and habits to critical scrutiny. Instead they attempted to harmonize both Indian and western cultures.
ii)Their ideas and their actions helped to mitigate social evils such as sati, female infanticide and child marriage and various superstitious beliefs.
Role of scholars and writers:
i) The scholars and writers were an inspiration for the people towards the reform movements.
ii) As the society was having a number of evil practices like sati, child marriage and polygamy there was an urgent need for reform in the society.
iii) These were the circumstances that led to the reform movement in the 19^th century.