Social Reformers — Set 2
Famous People · समाज सुधारक · Questions 11–20 of 70
Which reformer is known as 'Lokhitawadi' for his influential writings on social issues in Maharashtra?
Correct Answer: D. Gopal Hari Deshmukh
• **Gopal Hari Deshmukh** = He was known by the pen name 'Lokhitawadi' due to his influential writings on social issues. • **Prabhakar** — He regularly wrote influential articles in this weekly newspaper under his pen name. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Balshastri Jambhekar]: Known as the 'Father of Marathi Journalism'; [D.K. Karve]: A pioneer in women's education and widow remarriage; [G.G. Agarkar]: A prominent social reformer and rationalist.
Who was the first woman teacher in India and a pioneer in girls' education?
Correct Answer: C. Savitribai Phule
• **Savitribai Phule** = She is recognized as India's first woman teacher and a pioneer in girls' education. • **1848** — This year, she opened India's first school for girls in Pune along with her husband. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Tarabai Shinde]: A feminist writer known for 'Stri Purush Tulana'; [Pandita Ramabai]: A social reformer who championed women's education and liberation; [Annie Besant]: An Irish social reformer, president of the Theosophical Society.
The 'Aligarh Movement', which aimed at modernizing Muslim education in India, was started by?
Correct Answer: D. Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan
• **Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan** = He spearheaded the 'Aligarh Movement' to modernize Muslim education in India. • **1875** — He founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College, which became the nucleus of the Aligarh Movement. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Badruddin Tyabji]: First Indian Muslim president of the Indian National Congress; [Muhammad Iqbal]: A philosopher and poet, not the founder of Aligarh Movement; [Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]: A prominent freedom fighter and India's first Education Minister.
Which social reformer founded the 'Ramakrishna Mission' to promote spiritual and social service?
Correct Answer: C. Swami Vivekananda
• **Swami Vivekananda** = He founded the 'Ramakrishna Mission' to spread the message of practical Vedanta and social service. • **1897** — This year marks the establishment of the Ramakrishna Mission by Swami Vivekananda. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ramakrishna Paramahansa]: Swami Vivekananda's guru, the mission is named after him; [Sarada Devi]: The spiritual consort of Ramakrishna Paramahansa; [Swami Dayanand]: Founder of the Arya Samaj.
Who founded the 'Seva Sadan' in Bombay to provide healthcare and education to women?
Correct Answer: D. Behramji Malabari
• **Behramji Malabari** = He founded the 'Seva Sadan' in Bombay, focusing on welfare and education for women. • **1908** — Behramji Malabari established the Seva Sadan as a welfare organization for disadvantaged women. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [B.M. Malabari]: This is the same person, but the other options are distinct individuals; [M.G. Ranade]: A prominent social reformer and judge; [G.K. Gokhale]: Founder of the Servants of India Society.
Which activist is known for her work with lepers and established the 'Anandwan' ashram?
Correct Answer: B. Baba Amte
• **Baba Amte** = dedicated his life to the rehabilitation and empowerment of people suffering from leprosy, founding the 'Anandwan' ashram. • **Anandwan** — This ashram was established in Maharashtra to provide medical care and vocational training for lepers. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Medha Patkar: known for her Narmada Bachao Andolan; Kiran Bedi: India's first female IPS officer, social activist; Aruna Roy: known for her work on the right to information.
Who founded the 'Theosophical Society' in India and was the first woman president of the INC?
Correct Answer: B. Annie Besant
• **Annie Besant** = popularized the Theosophical movement in India and was the first woman president of the Indian National Congress. • **1917** — This is the year Annie Besant became the president of the Indian National Congress. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sarojini Naidu: first Indian woman president of the INC; Nellie Sengupta: third woman president of the INC; Madam Blavatsky: co-founder of the Theosophical Society but not its president in India or INC president.
Which reformer from Bengal wrote the famous book 'Gulamgiri' to criticize the caste system?
Correct Answer: C. Jyotirao Phule
• **Jyotirao Phule** = a social reformer from Maharashtra who wrote the famous book 'Gulamgiri' to criticize the caste system. • **'Gulamgiri'** — This book was dedicated to the American movement to abolish slavery, drawing parallels with the caste system in India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: E.V. Ramasamy: known as Periyar, a Dravidian movement leader from Tamil Nadu; B.R. Ambedkar: chief architect of the Indian Constitution, prominent anti-caste leader; Kancha Ilaiah: contemporary writer and social activist.
Who established the 'Sharda Sadan' in Bombay to help young widows?
Correct Answer: B. Pandita Ramabai
• **Pandita Ramabai** = a Sanskrit scholar and women's emancipation champion who established the 'Sharda Sadan' in Bombay. • **1889** — This is the year Pandita Ramabai founded the Sharda Sadan to provide education and shelter to homeless widows. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Annie Besant: known for the Theosophical Society and Home Rule League; Savitribai Phule: pioneering educationist and social reformer, wife of Jyotirao Phule; Sarojini Naidu: prominent poet and political activist, first Indian woman president of INC.
Which social reformer founded the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha' for the welfare of the depressed classes?
Correct Answer: B. B.R. Ambedkar
• **B.R. Ambedkar** = founded the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha' for the welfare of the depressed classes, advocating for their education and socio-economic improvement. • **1924** — This is the year B.R. Ambedkar formed the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Jyotirao Phule: earlier social reformer, founded Satyashodhak Samaj; Periyar: E.V. Ramasamy, a leader of the Self-Respect Movement; Jagjivan Ram: prominent Dalit leader and politician, served in various ministries.