Study Guide · Chapter 3
Key Social and Religious Reform Acts
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- Bengal Sati Regulation, 1829: Passed under Lord William Bentinck, declared the practice of Sati (widow immolation) illegal and punishable as culpable homicide; strongly influenced by the advocacy of Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
- Caste Disabilities Removal Act, 1850: Protected the inheritance rights of a person who had changed their religion or caste, addressing discrimination against converts (particularly to Christianity).
- Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856: Legalised the remarriage of Hindu widows, championed prominently by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
- Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860: Drafted principally by Lord Macaulay (as chair of the first Law Commission, though enacted some years after his initial draft), providing India's first comprehensive, codified criminal law; remained India's principal criminal code (with amendments) until the 2023 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita replaced it.
- Age of Consent Act, 1891: Raised the minimum age for consummation of marriage for girls to 12 years, prompted by public outrage over the case of Phulmoni Dasi, a child bride who died from marital rape injuries; opposed by conservative sections but supported by reformers.
- Child Marriage Restraint Act (Sarda Act), 1929: Set minimum marriage ages (14 for girls, 18 for boys at the time), named after its mover, Harbilas Sarda.
- Hindu Women's Right to Property Act, 1937: Improved (though did not fully equalise) property inheritance rights for Hindu widows.
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