How did the knowledge of ancient texts help the reformers promote new laws?

The reformers worked for improving the status of women in the society using the knowledge of ancient texts. They used these texts to convince people about the need for abolishing the certain social evils.

For example:

(i) Raja Ram Mohan Roy studied Hindu religious books and through his writings in different languages emphasized that widow-burning had no sanction in ancient text. He cited verses from ancient texts to show that existing evil practices were against early traditions.

(ii) Swami Dayanand quoted from Vedas that many social evils of today had no religious sanctions.

(iii) Mumtaz Ali reinterpreted verses from Quran to condemn the illiteracy among women and advocated for their education.