The Prarthana Samaj, a leading society for socioreligious reform was established on 31 March 1867 in Bombay by Atmaram Panduranga. The Prarthana Samaj which emerged in Bombay and went on to wield a good deal of influence in western India and to a lesser extent in southern India. The movement gained momentum and popularity after scholar and reformer Mahadev Govind Ranade joined it. The Samaj was different from the Brahmo Samaj of Bengal in that it was not as radical and took a cautious approach to the reformist programmes. For this reason, it was better received by the public as well. The members were all Hindus and remained so throughout. They wanted to reform the religion from within. They were only against the social evils prevalent then like child marriage, widow suppression, dowry, sati, untouchability, etc. and not against the religion per se. They also propagated monotheism and denounced idol worship. The society had many programmes to propagate women's education. It also opened homes for orphans and widows. It also supported widow remarriage. It established several schools as well that imparted western education.