Identify the personality based on the clues :Born in a poor Brahmin fa...
Personality: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Background:
- Born in a poor Brahmin family
- Great Sanskrit scholar
- Became the Principal of a Sanskrit College
Contributions:
- Upliftment of women and girls
- Instrumental in the passing of Widow Remarriage Act 1856
- Opposed the monopoly of the Brahmans on the study of Sanskrit
Explanation:
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a renowned Indian personality who was born into a poor Brahmin family. He was a great Sanskrit scholar who went on to become the Principal of a Sanskrit College. However, his contributions to society went far beyond his academic achievements.
Vidyasagar was an advocate for the upliftment of women and girls in India. He was instrumental in the passing of the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856, which allowed Hindu widows to remarry. This was a significant step towards ending the social stigma associated with widowhood in India.
Moreover, Vidyasagar was a strong critic of the monopoly that Brahmans had on the study of Sanskrit. He argued that Sanskrit was a language for all, not just for the privileged few. He also worked towards making education more accessible to the masses.
In conclusion, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a multifaceted personality who made significant contributions to Indian society. He was a scholar, a social reformer, and an advocate for the rights of women and girls. His legacy continues to inspire and influence generations of Indians.
Identify the personality based on the clues :Born in a poor Brahmin fa...
(Correct Answer:- A)
(Reforms by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar:)::::
-The focus of his social reform was women — and he spent his life’s energies trying to ensure an end to the practice of child marriage and initiate widow remarriage. He argued, on the basis of scriptures and old commentaries, in favour of the remarriage of widows in the same way as Roy did for the abolition of Sati.
-He launched a powerful attack on the practice of marrying off girls aged 10 or even younger, pointing to social, ethical, and hygiene issues, and rejecting the validity of the Dharma Shastras that advocated it. He showed that there was no prohibition on widows remarrying in the entire body of ‘Smriti’ literature (the Sutras and the Shastras).
-He campaigned against polygamy.
-On October 14, 1855, Vidyasagar presented a petition to the Government of India praying for early passing a law to remove all obstacles to the marriage of Hindu widows and to declare the issue of all such marriages to be legitimate.
-On July 16, 1856, The Hindu Widows’ Remarriage Act, known as Act XV, was passed.
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