The book identifies the major issues within the history of socio-religious reform among Hindus in modern times that grew into passionate public debates and in turn became its critical determinants. Sen begins by attempting to define the very concept of 'reform', and in doing so highlights the debates that have emerged around such a definition. He then includes essays that examine the tenuous relationship between reform and revival. The third section of the book highlights debates surrounding reform movements for women and the lower castes. Finally, the essays in the last section situate 'reform' and social change in modern India.

The unique characteristic about this particular volume in the Series is the inclusion of numerous essays written at the same time as these reform movements. The volume thus includes writings and speeches by well-known personalities such as Swami Vivekananda, Lajpat Rai, Bankim Chandra, Raja Rammohan Roy, K.T.Telang, Aurobindo Ghosh, M.G.Ranade, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar and many others. Amiya P. Sen's introduction places the various points of debate in context and also tries to formulate an acceptable definition of 'reform' in the given context. This edition also carries a small note by the volume editor addressing various criticisms of the reviewers, and critics.