Other backward classes include those who are socially and educationally backward classes; it was not based on caste alone.

Due to the biological and physical differences between men and women, the gender inequality was treated to be quite natural. The women's movement started in 19th century and was also termed as middle class social reform movement because the reformers were from western educated Indian middle class.

The nature of these movements varied from region to region. Some of the major movements were -

• Anti-Sati campaign by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in Bengal

• Widow remarriage Movement in Bombay Presidency

• Jyotiba Phule, from socially excluded caste, directed the movement against both caste and gender discrimination

• Sir Syed Ahmed Khan made efforts to reform Muslim society and emphasised on female education, etc.