Socio and Cultural Uprising
1. He was the founder of the Brahmo Samaj.
2. He fought against the evil practice of child marriage and got it prohibited.
3.Samvad Kaumudi and Mirat-ul-Akhbar were published by him.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only (b) 1 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 2 and 3 only
Ans. (a) Statement 1 is correct: In 1828, Brahmo Samaj was founded. Its objective was to purify Hinduism and to preach Monotheism or belief in one God. Statement 2 is incorrect: Although he was against the evil practice of child marriage, he was not involved in getting it prohibited. Statement 3 is correct: Raja Ram Mohan Roy started publication of ‘SamvadKaumudi’ in 1821. It was in Bengali language. In 1822, he published ‘Mirat-al-Akhbar’ in Persian language.
Q.2. Which of the following features can be attributed to the socio-religious reform movements for the empowerment of women during the 19th century? 1. These movements were aimed at a radical change towards the existing patriarchal structure of society. 2. Women spearheaded most of these movements with the primary aim to alter their adverse social conditions. 3. The provision for education for girls was primarily meant to equip them to be self sufficient and independent
Ans. (d) • Statement 1 is not correct: However, the social reform movement did not radically challenge the existing patriarchal structure of society or question gender relations. • Statement 2 is not correct: Women were seen as passive recipients of a more humanitarian treatment to be given by Western-educated elite men. • Statement 3 is not correct: The education for girls was not meant to equip them to be selfsufficient, independent and emancipated and train them to follow some profession but to be good housewives. Thus, there was not much emphasis on technical or vocational education but on basic education.
Q.3. Which of the following leaders was/were related to Arya Mahila Samaj? 1. Margaret Cousins 2. Pandita Ramabai Saraswati 3. Sarla Devi Chaudhurani
Ans. (a) Pandita Ramabai Saraswati founded the Arya Mahila Samaj to serve the cause of women. It was started on November 30, 1882 with the aim of empowering and educating each woman for leading a dignified life. The inaugural meeting was attended by 150 women. On the first day, 16 women members were enrolled. It imagined ideal woman as an efficient housewife, entering the public world to help during emergencies such as famines, floods and plagues.
Q.4. With reference to the revolt of 1857, which of the following was/were socio-religious causes of discontent against the British? 1. Opening of western education to girls.2. Taxing the lands belonging to temples and mosques 3. Rediscovery of India's past by Europeans scholars
Ans. (d) • Statement 1 is correct: The conservative religious and social sentiments of many people were hurt by some of the humanitarian measures which government took on the advice of Indian reformers such as abolition of practice of Sati, permission of Widow remarriage, opening of Western education to girls. • It was considered as an interference in their faith and values. With regard to the the female education it was practically unknown and there was no public institution for this purpose. There was a superstitious idea that a girl taught to read and write would soon afte rmarrying become a widow • Statement 2 is correct: Religious sentiments were also hurt by the official policy of taxing the lands belonging to temples and mosques which had been exempted from taxation by previous Indian rulers. • Statement 3 is not correct: Rediscovery of India's past by Europeans scholars, gave a psychological boost to educated Indians later and it has nothing to do with 1857 revolt.
Q.5. With reference to the 'Socio-Religious Reform Movements' during the British Rule, consider the following statements: 1. Prarthana Samaj of Bombay was founded by Mahadev Govind Ranade and Ramakrishna Bhandarkar. 2. Jyotirao Govindrao Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj which· was open to everyone without any distinction of caste and religion. 3. Dadabhai Naoroji and Naoroji Furdoonji were among the pioneers of religious and social reform in the Parsi community.
Ans. (d) Statement 1 is correct: M.G. Ranade and R. Bhandarkar founded the Prarthana Samaj. They were influenced by the Brahmo Samaj. They condemned caste system and the practice of untouchability. They worked for improving the status of women and advocated widow remarriage. Statement 2 is correct: The aim of Satyashodhak Samaj was to work for winning equal rights for the people and lower castes. Jyotirao Phule started a school for the girls of lower castes and educated his wife also. He wrote ‘Ghulamgiri’. Statement 3 is correct: They started a journal ‘Rast Goftar’ for spread of education particularly among girls. Thus, Option D is correct.
Q.6. Consider the following statements with reference to the ‘Theosophical Society’: 1. The Theosophical society was founded by Annie Besant in India. 2. The society was reformist in nature as it advocates for the strengthening and revival of the ancient religions of Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism. 3. It drew inspiration from the philosophy of Upanishads and Samkhya, Yoga and Vedanta schools of thought.
Ans. (a) Statement 1 is incorrect: The Theosophical society was founded in the United States by Madam H.P. Blavatsky and Colonel H.S. Olcott who later came to India and founded the headquarters of the society at Adyar near Madras in 1886. The Theosophist movement grew in India under the leadership of Annie Besant. Statement 2 is incorrect: The society was revivalist in nature as it advocates for the strengthening and revival of the ancient religions of Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism. Statement 3 is correct.
Q.7. Consider the following statements regarding the Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: 1. He founded the Bethune College in 1849. 2. He presented a petition to the Government of India praying to them to abolish Childhood marriage. 3. His campaign was highly successful in creating mass awareness and inculcating the idea of widow remarriage.
Ans. (d) • Statement 1 is incorrect: Bethune college was founded in 1849 by John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune. • Statement 2 is incorrect: Vidyasagar presented a petition to the Government of India praying to them to legitimize Widow remarriage. • Statement 3 is incorrect: Masses did not appreciate hugely the idea of widow remarriage as only 25 widow remarriage took place between 1855-60.
Q.8. Which of the following is not correctly matched?
Ans. (d) Brahma samaj: Reformist movements Prarthana samaj: Reformist movements Aligarh movement: Reformist movements Arya samaj: Revivalist movements Theosophical movement: Revivalist movements Deoband movement: Revivalist movements Hence, D is not correctly matched
Q.9. Who among the following established the Tattvabodhini Sabha in 1839 at Calcutta (Now Kolkata)?
| (a) Keshab Chandra Sen (c) Rammohan Roy | (b) Debendra Nath Tagore (d) Sivanatha Sasri |
Ans. (b) Debendranath Tagore established the Tattvabodhini Sabha (1839) at Calcutta to propagate Rammohan Roy’s ideas. Hence, B is the correct option.
Q.10. Which of the following is associated with the Young Bengal Movement?
| (a) Derozians (c) Native marriage Act | (b) Mitra Bandhu (d) Bethune School |
Ans. (a) The movement started by Derozio was called the Young Bengal Movement and his followers were known as the Derozians. They condemned religious rites and the rituals, and pleaded for eradication of social evils, female education and improvement in the condition of women. Hence, A is the correct option.