India: Social and Religious Reforms
Exercise
Q.1 (A) Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the statement.
1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy wrote an English letter against the practice of Sati.
Correct statement: Raja Ram Mohan Roy wrote an English letter against the practice of Sati.
2. ‘Arya Samaj’ was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
Correct statement: ‘Arya Samaj’ was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
(B) Find the incorrect pair from group ‘B’, and write the corrected one.
| Group ‘A’ | Group ‘B’ |
|---|---|
| Brahmo Samaj | Raja Ram Mohan Roy |
| Satyashodak Samaj | Mahatma Jotirao Phule |
| Paramhamsa Sabha | Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde |
| Ramkrishna Mission | Swami Vivekanand |
Incorrect pair: Paramhamsa Sabha – Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde
Corrected pair: Paramhamsa Sabha – Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar
Explanation: The document states that Paramhamsa Sabha was founded by Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar, not Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde.
Q.2 Write names of historical places/persons/events.
1. The title conferred on Raja Ram Mohan Roy by the Mughal Badshah: Raja
2. The one who founded ‘Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College’: Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan
3. The one who participated in ‘Vykom Satyagraha’: Ramaswamy Naikar
4. The one who made the law of free and compulsory primary education in Kolhapur Princely State: Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj
Q.3 Write short notes.
1. Prarthana Samaj:
Prarthana Samaj was a religious reform movement founded in 1867 in Bombay by Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar, with key members like Dr. Atmaram Pandurang, Justice M.G. Ranade, and Dr. R.G. Bhandarkar. Originating from the Paramhamsa Sabha, it promoted monotheism, opposed idol worship, and emphasized the principle of ‘One Supreme God.’ The Samaj worked towards social reforms, including gender equality, eradication of caste discrimination, and education for women. It also established orphanages, girls’ schools, and night schools for workers, focusing on uplifting marginalized sections of society.
2. Satyashodhak Samaj:
Founded in 1873 by Mahatma Jotirao Phule in Pune, Satyashodhak Samaj aimed to challenge unjust religious traditions and social inequalities. It advocated monotheism, rejected the authority of Vedas and Puranas, opposed idol worship, pilgrimages, and priestly dominance, and promoted rationality. The Samaj worked for the upliftment of farmers, artisans, workers, and suppressed castes. Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule emphasized girls’ education, starting schools for them, and fought against caste-based discrimination and social customs that oppressed the masses.
Q.4 Answer the following questions in detail.
1. What were the social reforms on which Raja Ram Mohan Roy put a great emphasis?
Raja Ram Mohan Roy, a pioneer of social and religious reforms in India, focused on eradicating regressive social practices and promoting progressive values. He strongly opposed the practice of Sati, highlighting that no Indian religious texts mandated it as a religious obligation. His efforts led to the abolition of Sati in 1829 through a law passed by Governor General Lord William Bentinck. Roy also campaigned against child marriage and the purdah system, which segregated women. He advocated for women’s education and opened an English medium school to promote modern education. Additionally, he founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 to promote monotheism and reject idol worship. Roy protested against restrictions on press freedom, appealing to both the British government and the King of England. His efforts laid the foundation for modernity in India, inspiring other reform movements.
2. Write about the contributions of Ramkrishna Mission.
The Ramkrishna Mission, established by Swami Vivekananda in 1897, focused on social service and spiritual upliftment. It prioritized serving the needy, particularly those affected by famines, through healthcare for the sick, education for women, and support for the weak. The Mission emphasized spiritual betterment and inspired Indian youth with its message to “awaken and keep moving until the goal is achieved.” By addressing both material and spiritual needs, it played a significant role in fostering social welfare and national consciousness, encouraging selfless service and the upliftment of marginalized communities.
3. Write about the contributions of Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan.
Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan, born in 1817 in Delhi, was a prominent reformer who worked for the educational and social advancement of Muslims in India. Fluent in multiple languages, he edited Ain-i-Akbari, a book on Emperor Akbar’s administration. He founded the ‘Scientific Society’ to promote scholarship in history, science, and political economy. In 1875, he established the Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College, which later became Aligarh Muslim University, to promote modern education, science, and technology among Muslims. He also launched the periodical Mohammadan Social Reformer to advocate social reforms. His efforts bridged traditional Islamic learning with modern education, fostering intellectual growth and social progress in the Muslim community.
4. Describe the contribution of Ramaswamy Naikar.
Ramaswamy Naikar, born in 1879 in Erode, Tamil Nadu, was a prominent social reformer known as ‘Periyar’ for his impactful work. Starting as a member of the Congress in 1920, he embraced Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, promoting Swadeshi and temple entry for all. He participated in the Vykom Satyagraha in Travancore to fight untouchability. Naikar founded the Swabhiman Andolan in Tamil Nadu, challenging the varna system and opposing child marriage. He advocated for women’s rights and family planning, taking radical stances on these issues. A powerful speaker and author, Naikar’s work inspired social equality and rational thought, earning him widespread respect as a champion of marginalized communities.
Leave a Reply