Test: Social & Cultural Awakening, Lower Caste, Trade Union & Peasants Movements - 1 - UPSC MCQ

• Raja Rammohan Roy was a renowned social reformer and the founder of the Brahmo Samaj.


• He passed away on 7th September 1833.


• The correct answer is A: Bristol, as Raja Rammohan Roy died in Bristol, England.


• He was in Bristol at the time seeking medical treatment.


• His death was a significant loss to the Indian socio-religious reform movement.

The correct answer is A as young Anglo-Indian, Henry Vivian Derozio, who taught at the Hindu College ... emergence of a radical and intellectual trend among the youth in Bengal, which came to be known as the 'Young Bengal Movement'. ... David Hare, an associate of Ram Mohan Roy took keen interest in starting this college.

Derozio was born in 1809 and taught at Hindu college from 1826 to 1831. Derozio followed the most radical views of the time drawing his inspiration from the great French revolution. He inspired the students to thinck rationally and freely, to question all authority, to love liberty, equality and freedom and to worship truth. Derozio’s followers were known as the Derozians and Yong Bengal. They were great patrots. Derozio was perhaps the first nationalist poet of modern India.

• Lack of Support: Despite their rational thinking and advocacy for liberty and equality, the Derozians did not receive widespread support from the British or the Indian population. This lack of support hindered the growth of their movement.


• Opposition: Many Derozians were condemned by both the British rulers and conservative sections of Indian society for their radical ideas and criticism of traditional customs. This opposition made it difficult for the movement to gain momentum.


• Leadership Crisis: After the death of H.V. Derozio, the movement lacked effective leadership to guide and organize its followers. This leadership vacuum weakened the movement and prevented it from achieving its goals.


• Unripe Social Conditions: The social conditions in India during the time of the Derozians were not conducive for the flourishing of their ideas. The society was still deeply rooted in traditional customs and beliefs, making it challenging for the Derozians to bring about significant change.

The correct answer is A as The Derozians failed to take up the cause of
Peasants
 

• S.N. Banerjee: He described the Derozians as "the pioneers of the modern civilization of Bengal, the conscript fathers of our race whose virtues will excite veneration and whose failings will be treated with gentlest consideration."


• A.O. Hume: A key figure in the Indian National Congress, known for his role in the Indian independence movement.


• Rabindra Nath Tagore: A prominent Bengali poet, writer, and musician, known for his contributions to literature and music.


• M.N. Roy: A prominent Indian philosopher, politician, and founder of the Communist Party of India.

The Tattwabodhinī Sabhā ("Truth Propagating/Searching Society") was a group started in Calcutta on 6 October 1839 as a splinter group of the Brahmo Samaj, reformers of Hinduism and Indian Society. The founding member was Debendranath Tagore, previously of the Brahmo Samaj, eldest son of influential entrepreneur Dwarkanath Tagore, and eventually father to renowned polymath Rabindranath Tagore.

Members of Tatvabodhini Sabha are:

• Dayanand Sarswati.
• Maharishi Devendranath Tagore.
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
• Jogesh Chandra Dutt.

So the correct answer is option (C).
 

In 1839,     founded the Tatvbodhini Sabha to propagate Rammohan Roy’s ideas. In time it came to include most of the prominent followers and independent thinkers. The Tatvbodhini Sabha and its organ the Tatvbodhini Patrika promoted a systematic study of India’s past in the Bengali language. It also helped spread a rational outlook among the intellectuals of Bengal. In 1843, Debendranath Tagore reorganised the Brahmo Samaj and put new life into it.

The Tatvabodhini Sabha.supported the following :

• Widow remarriage and women’s education

• Temperance

• Abolition of polygamy

• Improvement of the ryot’s condition

• Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a prominent Indian educator, social reformer, and philanthropist in the 19th century.


• Principal of Sanskrit College: He became the principal of the Sanskrit College in Calcutta in 1851.


• Contribution: As the principal of the Sanskrit College, Vidyasagar made significant contributions to the field of education and played a key role in modernizing the traditional Indian education system.


• Reforms: Vidyasagar introduced several reforms in the college curriculum, focusing on subjects like mathematics, science, and literature, in addition to traditional Sanskrit studies.


• Legacy: His tenure as the principal of the Sanskrit College marked a period of transformation and progress in the field of education in Bengal.

Introduction of Western Thought by Vidyasagar in Sanskrit College

• Reason for Introduction: Vidyasagar introduced the study of Western thought in the Sanskrit College to free Sanskrit studies from the harmful effects of self-imposed isolation. He believed that exposure to Western thought would broaden the students' perspectives and help them engage with the changing world.


• Diversification of Curriculum: By introducing the study of Western thought, Vidyasagar aimed to diversify the curriculum of the Sanskrit College and make it more relevant to the contemporary society. This move was seen as a progressive step towards modernizing Sanskrit education.


• Impact on Students: The introduction of Western thought had a profound impact on the students of the Sanskrit College. It encouraged them to think critically, engage with different philosophical ideas, and develop a more holistic understanding of knowledge.


• Legacy of Vidyasagar: Vidyasagar's decision to introduce Western thought in the Sanskrit College paved the way for a more inclusive and dynamic approach to education. His legacy continues to inspire educators to break free from traditional boundaries and embrace new ideas and perspectives.

• Introduction: Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar was a social reformer and educator in 19th century India who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of women.


• Efforts for Women: Vidyasagar strongly advocated for women's rights, including their education and social status.


• Hindu Widow Remarriage Act: One of his major contributions was the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act, which aimed to allow Hindu widows to remarry and lead a normal life.


• Passing of the Act: The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856 as a result of Vidyasagar's persistent efforts and advocacy.


• Impact: This act was a significant step towards empowering widowed women in society and challenging traditional norms that restricted their rights.

The college was founded as the Calcutta Female School in 1849 by John Elliot Drinkwater Bethune, with the financial support of Dakshinaranjan Mukherjee. The Managing Committee of the school was then formed and Pandit Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, the celebrated social reformer responsible for the eradication of the custom of Sati and a relentless supporter of women's emancipation was made the Secretary.
 

The correct option is Option A.
Paramahansa Mandali was a secret socio-religious group, established in 1849, in Bombay and is closely related to Manav Dharma Sabha which was found in 1844 in Surat. It was started by Durgaram Mehtaji, Dadoba Pandurang and a group of his friends. Dadoba Pandurang assumed leadership of this organisation after he left Manav Dharma Sabha. He outlined his principles in Dharma Vivechan in 1848 for Manav Dharma Sabha and "Paramhansik Bramhyadharma" for Paramahansa Mandali. It acted as a secret society and is believed that the revelation of its existence in 1860 hastened its demise.

• Formation of the Student's Literary and Scientific Society: In 1849, educated young men came together to form the Student's Literary and Scientific Society.


• Branches of the Society: The society had two branches, one being the Marathi Dnyan Prasarka Mandli and the other being the Gujarat Dnyan Prasarka Mandli.


• Focus of the Branches: Each branch focused on promoting literature and scientific knowledge in their respective languages, Marathi and Gujarati.


• Objective: The main objective of these branches was to encourage intellectual discussions, debates, and the sharing of knowledge among the members.


• Significance: The formation of such societies played a crucial role in the intellectual and cultural development of the region during that period.

In 1851, Jotiba Phule and his wife started a girl’s school at Poona and soon many other schools came up. Among the active promoters of these schools were Jagannath Shankar Seth and Bhau Daji. Phule was also a pioneer of the widow remarriage movement in Maharashtra. Vishnu Shastri Pundit founded the Widow Remarriage Association in the 1850s.

• Social reformer and his wife: The social reformer and his wife who started a girl's school at Poona in 1851 were Jotiba Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule.


• Jotiba Phule: Jotiba Phule was a prominent social reformer in the 19th century in India. He was a pioneer in advocating for women's education and the abolition of caste-based discrimination.


• Girl's school at Poona: Jotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule established the first school for girls in India at Poona in 1851. This was a groundbreaking initiative at a time when girls' education was not given much importance.


• Significance: The establishment of the girl's school by Jotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule played a crucial role in promoting the education of girls in India and challenging the prevailing social norms that restricted women's access to education.


• Legacy: The efforts of Jotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule in promoting women's education laid the foundation for future movements advocating for gender equality and social justice in India.

The correct answer is C as The founder of the Widow Remarriage Association in the 19th century was Vishnu Shastri Pandit. He was an active social reformer who founded this association called the Punar Vivah Jak Mandal in the 1850s. The main aim of the association was to encourage widows to get remarried.

Born to a family belonging to the Kapol Caste, a trading caste of western India, Karsandas Mulji was repudiated by his family because of his views on widow remarriage. He became a vernacular schoolmaster and started Satyaprakash, a weekly in Gujarati, in which he attacked what he perceived to be the immoralities of the Maharajas or hereditary high priests of the Pushtimarg Vaishnavism, to which the Bhatias belonged.

The correct option is A.
Deshmukh advocated the reorganization of Indian society on rational principles and modern humanistic and secular values.

• A: G.H. Deshmukh


• B: Jotiba Phule


• C: Dada Bhai Nauroji


• D: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

• G.H. Deshmukh is the individual who became famous by the pen-name of 'Lokahitawadi'.


• He was a prominent Marathi writer and social reformer known for his contributions to literature and society.


• His writings focused on social issues, education, and reform, advocating for the welfare of the society at large.


• The pen-name 'Lokahitawadi' reflects his commitment to the well-being and interests of the people.

• Jotiba Phule: was born in a low caste mali family and all his life carried on a campaign against upper caste domination and Brahmanical supremacy.


• G.H. Deshmukh: was not born in a low caste mali family and did not carry out a campaign against upper caste domination.


• Vishnu Shastri Pandit: was also not born in a low caste mali family and did not campaign against upper caste domination.


• None of these: does not apply, as Jotiba Phule fits the description provided in the question.

Dadabhahi Naoroji was another leading social reformer of Bombay. He was one of the founders of an association to reform the Zoroastrian religion and the Parsi Law Association which agitated for the grant of a legal status to women and for uniform laws of inheritance and marriage for the Parsis.

• J.S. Seth and Bhau Daji are best remembered for their efforts in promoting education for women.

• Promoting education for women: J.S. Seth and Bhau Daji were instrumental in advocating for women's education, recognizing its importance in empowering women and promoting gender equality.

By focusing on this key aspect of social reform, they contributed significantly to the advancement of women's rights and opportunities in society.

• Jotiba Phule: Jotiba Phule established the Satya Shodak Samaj in 1873 in Maharashtra, India.


• Social Reformer: Jotiba Phule was a prominent social reformer who worked towards the upliftment of the lower castes and women in Indian society.


• Philosophy: The Satya Shodak Samaj aimed to challenge the caste system and promote equality and social justice.


• Education: Jotiba Phule believed in the power of education to bring about social change and worked towards providing education to all sections of society.


• Legacy: Jotiba Phule's work with the Satya Shodak Samaj laid the foundation for the Dalit and social reform movements in India.

• A: Jotiba Phule


• B: B.R. Ambedkar


• C: D.K. Karve


• D: Dayanand Saraswati

Jotiba Phule founded the Dinbandhu Sarvajanik Sabha in 1884.

• Jotiba Phule was a social reformer from Maharashtra, India.


• He was a pioneer in the field of women's education and fought against the caste system and untouchability.


• The Dinbandhu Sarvajanik Sabha was established to work towards social equality and upliftment of the marginalized sections of society.


• Through his efforts, Phule made significant contributions to the social reform movement in India.

• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: He was a key figure in the passage of the Act of 1860, which raised the age of consent for girls to ten. His efforts were instrumental in bringing about this change in the law.


• Act of 1860: This Act was a significant milestone in the fight against child marriage and the protection of young girls. By raising the age of consent, it aimed to prevent the exploitation and abuse of young girls.


• Impact: The passing of this Act had a lasting impact on society, helping to protect the rights and well-being of young girls. It set a precedent for future legislation aimed at safeguarding children.

A is the correct option.The 19th century awakening in India was on the handled by the very presence of the British rule in India which was confined to the Upper middle class.

• Founder: Warren Hastings


• Languages taught: Arabic and Persian


• Year established: 1781

• Cultural Exchange: The establishment of the madrasa promoted cultural exchange between India and the Middle East.


• Educational Development: It provided a platform for the teaching and learning of Arabic and Persian languages in Calcutta.


• Integration: The madrasa played a role in integrating different cultures and fostering understanding among diverse communities.

• Impact: The madrasa at Calcutta set up by Warren Hastings left a lasting impact on the educational landscape in India.


• Influence: It influenced the development of language studies and cultural understanding in the region.


• Historical Significance: The establishment of the madrasa is a significant historical event that symbolizes the importance of education and cultural exchange.