In terms of impact, extent and achievements the 19th century intellects endeavours we have described could not achieve any spectacular success Caste distinctions remained strong and the religious and social practices did not die away. Child-marriage and enforced widowhood remained as press a problem as ever.

Reform in practice in any case affected a very small minority. The mass remained nearly untouched by the ideas of the intellectuals. There was certain a kind of mass approach in their writing in the vernaculars. But despite the best endeavours to appeal to the masses, their appeal for all practical purpose remained confined to the urban middle classes, particularly the education sections.

The situation of widespread illiteracy in the rural areas and because of absence of modern and diversified communications network, they doomed to have a very limited audience, mainly urban-based. Thus, even in terms of its practical appeal the movement remained urban, besides its other limitations.

Moreover, they had undertaken the most difficult task of contemporary public life that is, the problem of socio-cultural reform. In cultural issues feelings and traditions are involved to a very large extent. Traditions die very hard.

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Caste and customs proved to be hard to eradicate from Indian consciousness. In political and economic matters logic is and can be an ‘instrument of power’, but where feelings and traditions are the authorities, logic is almost impotent. It is really very difficult to bring about changes in the long established customs and traditions and deeply rooted prejudices.

Above all, the growth of the awakening during the period of colonial domination posed certain inherent limits on the success of the movement. British rule did not create a wider social audience capable of appreciating the basic modernity of their ideas.

The fact of widespread illiteracy remained a great obstacle to the realisation of their goal. Their intellectual ideas and activities could not, therefore, stir the minds of the general public.

Bhandarkar wrote, ‘The lamp has been lighted, but the light is flickering’. Their contribution lies in lighting the lamp, it flickered for reasons beyond their control.

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The intellectuals did have certain concrete gains to their credit. It was greatly due to their constant endeavours that abolition of Sati and legalisation of widow- marriage were achieved during the 19th century. There was much intellectual fervour, prolonged agitation and acute discussion during the controversy over the age of Consent Bill. Such debates, even if they failed to bring about any concrete change immediately raised the level of consciousness.

Their attempt did set afoot the process of the undermining of the hold of superstitions and bigotry in the society, however the process was slow. Another significant contribution of the intellectuals lay in the realm of female education.

The pace with which the number of girls was increasing in the schools indicates the onset of the trend of women emerging out of social seclusion imposed upon them. Female education was no longer deemed dangerous by the increasing number of people.

The significance of such development can be ascertained by the fact that during the subsequent period women started taking part actively in public and national life. In fact, Mahatma Gandhi could bring them into the vortex of the national movement in the 20th century mainly because the groundwork was already prepared by the 19th century intellectuals.