India: Social and Religious Reforms
Short Questions
1. Who founded the Brahmo Samaj?
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
2. What was the main aim of Satyashodhak Samaj?
Answer: To challenge unjust religious traditions and promote equality.
3. Which practice did Raja Ram Mohan Roy oppose that led to a law in 1829?
Answer: Sati.
4. Who established the Ramkrishna Mission?
Answer: Swami Vivekanand.
5. What was the key focus of Prarthana Samaj?
Answer: Monotheism and opposing idol worship.
6. Who founded the Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College?
Answer: Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan.
7. What was the title conferred on Raja Ram Mohan Roy by the Mughal emperor?
Answer: Raja.
8. Which movement did Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar start to fight caste inequality?
Answer: Bahishkrut Hitkarini Sabha.
9. Who was the first Indian woman to challenge the patriarchal system?
Answer: Tarabai Shinde.
10. Which princely state ruler supported free education for untouchables?
Answer: Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad.
Long Questions
1. What social issues did Raja Ram Mohan Roy address?
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy fought against Sati, child marriage, and the purdah system. He promoted modern education and started the Brahmo Samaj to advocate for one God and equality. His efforts led to the abolition of Sati in 1829.
2. How did Mahatma Jotirao Phule contribute to social reforms?
Answer: Mahatma Jotirao Phule founded Satyashodhak Samaj to challenge caste and religious injustices. He promoted education for girls and suppressed castes, rejected idol worship, and worked for equality and rationality in society.
3. What were the main goals of the Arya Samaj?
Answer: Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, aimed to promote Vedic teachings and reject caste discrimination. It supported women’s education, widow remarriage, and inter-caste marriages to create a fair society.
4. How did Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar work for social equality?
Answer: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar led movements like the Chavadar Tank Satyagraha and Kala Ram Temple entry to fight caste discrimination. He published newspapers like Mooknayak and drafted India’s Constitution to ensure equality.
5. What was the role of Prarthana Samaj in social reforms?
Answer: Prarthana Samaj, founded by Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar, promoted monotheism and opposed idol worship. It opened schools, orphanages, and night schools, focusing on gender equality and education for all.
6. What contributions did Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan make to education?
Answer: Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan founded the Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College, later Aligarh Muslim University. He promoted modern education, science, and technology for Muslims and started the Mohammadan Social Reformer periodical.
7. How did Ramaswamy Naikar contribute to social change?
Answer: Ramaswamy Naikar, known as Periyar, fought against caste, untouchability, and child marriage. He led the Swabhiman Andolan and Vykom Satyagraha, advocating for women’s rights and rational thinking in Tamilnadu.
8. What were the key reforms introduced by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad?
Answer: Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad provided free education and hostels for untouchables, supported women’s education, and banned child marriage. He promoted inter-caste marriages and allowed people to choose any occupation.
9. How did Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj support social reforms?
Answer: Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj supported Dr. Ambedkar’s leadership and introduced reservations in Kolhapur. He made primary education free and compulsory, opposed caste restrictions, and promoted equality in his state.
10. What was the impact of the Ramkrishna Mission on society?
Answer: Ramkrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekanand, served the poor during famines and provided healthcare and education. It uplifted women and youth, spreading the message of spiritual and social awakening.
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