ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the changing patterns of religious authority during the social transformation of the early nineteenth century in Bombay Presidency. There are several words with overlapping meanings – authority, power, influence, leadership – each having either religious or secular connotations – or both. By both authority and power I mean in this context the ability to effect change or determine policies; influence may indicate the standing to affect authority; leadership is normally an ability to inspire others through charismatic personality, or in the religious sphere through respect for an individual’s devotional life or scholarly attainment.
