Social Reformers — Set 5

Correct Answer: D. Keshab Chandra Sen

• **Keshab Chandra Sen** = He founded the Brahmo Samaj of India after a split from the Adi Brahmo Samaj, advocating for more radical social reforms. • **1866** — This is the year Keshab Chandra Sen led a split from the original Brahmo Samaj to form the Brahmo Samaj of India. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Shibnath Shastri]: a reformer associated with the Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, formed after another split from Keshab Chandra Sen's group; [Debendranath Tagore]: led the Adi Brahmo Samaj after Raja Ram Mohan Roy; [Ananda Mohan Bose]: one of the founders of Sadharan Brahmo Samaj.

Correct Answer: D. Jyotirao Phule

• **Jyotirao Phule** = He founded the Satyashodhak Samaj and authored the influential book 'Gulamgiri', advocating for the liberation of lower castes. • **'Gulamgiri'** — This book, written by Jyotirao Phule, critically analyzed the caste system and drew parallels with slavery. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Narayana Guru]: a social reformer from Kerala who worked for the upliftment of the oppressed classes; [B.R. Ambedkar]: a prominent leader for Dalit rights and author of the Constitution; [E.V. Ramasamy]: also known as Periyar, leader of the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu.

Correct Answer: A. Dayanand Saraswati

• **Dayanand Saraswati** = He founded the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement that advocated for a return to Vedic principles and criticized idol worship and the caste system. • **1875** — This is the year Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay, aiming for a revival of Vedic values. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Swami Shraddhanand]: a prominent Arya Samaj missionary and educationalist; [Lala Hansraj]: a leader of the Arya Samaj, known for establishing Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) schools; [Bishan Singh Bedi]: a famous Indian cricketer, unrelated to social reform.

Correct Answer: C. Tamil Nadu

• **Tamil Nadu** = This state served as the primary base for the Self-Respect Movement, a radical anti-caste and social equality movement led by Periyar. • **'Self-Respect Movement'** — This movement, primarily active in Tamil Nadu, challenged the caste system and promoted human dignity and equality. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Kerala]: home to reformers like Narayana Guru who worked on similar issues, but not the primary base for Periyar's Self-Respect Movement; [Karnataka]: has its own social reform movements but not this specific one; [Andhra Pradesh]: also has its own history of social reform, distinct from the Self-Respect Movement.

Correct Answer: A. Indira Gandhi

• **Indira Gandhi** = She was the first Indian woman to be awarded the Bharat Ratna, recognized for her leadership and social welfare initiatives. • **1971** — This is the year Indira Gandhi received the Bharat Ratna for her leadership, particularly during the Bangladesh Liberation War. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Mother Teresa]: a naturalized Indian citizen, awarded Bharat Ratna in 1980 for her humanitarian work, but not the first 'Indian woman'; [M.S. Subbulakshmi]: a legendary Carnatic vocalist, awarded Bharat Ratna in 1998; [Aruna Asaf Ali]: an independence activist, awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1997.

Correct Answer: A. Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan

• **Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan** = He founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College, which later became Aligarh Muslim University. • **1875** — This year marks the establishment of the MAO College by Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Badruddin Tyabji]: He was the first Indian President of the Indian National Congress; [Muhammad Iqbal]: He was a poet and philosopher who inspired the Pakistan Movement; [Abul Kalam Azad]: He was the first Education Minister of independent India.

Correct Answer: A. Vithal Ramji Shinde

• **Vithal Ramji Shinde** = He founded the 'Depressed Classes Mission' to improve the education and social status of Dalits. • **1906** — This year marks the establishment of the Depressed Classes Mission by Vithal Ramji Shinde. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [B.R. Ambedkar]: He was the architect of the Indian Constitution and a leader of Dalit rights movements; [Jyotirao Phule]: He was a pioneer of social reform and women's education in Maharashtra; [Shahu Maharaj]: He was a princely ruler known for his work on social equality and education for all.

Correct Answer: B. Vishnu Shastri Pandit

• **Vishnu Shastri Pandit** = He founded the 'Widow Remarriage Association' to advocate for the rights of Hindu widows to remarry. • **1861** — This year marks the establishment of the Widow Remarriage Association by Vishnu Shastri Pandit. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [M.G. Ranade]: He was a co-founder of the Prarthana Samaj and a prominent social reformer; [D.K. Karve]: He established India's first women's university; [Jyotirao Phule]: He was a pioneer of women's education and the anti-caste movement.

Correct Answer: A. Hridaynath Kunzru

• **Hridaynath Kunzru** = He founded the 'Seva Samiti' to engage in social welfare activities and provide relief during calamities. • **1914** — This year marks the establishment of the Seva Samiti by Hridaynath Kunzru in Allahabad. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [G.K. Gokhale]: He was the founder of the Servants of India Society; [Annie Besant]: She was a leader of the Theosophical Society and the Home Rule Movement; [Madan Mohan Malaviya]: He was the founder of Banaras Hindu University.

Correct Answer: A. Ayyankali

• **Ayyankali** = He was a prominent social reformer from Kerala who led the 'Kallumala Samaram' against discriminatory dress codes. • **1915** — The Kallumala Samaram, a significant protest against discriminatory dress codes, took place in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Narayana Guru]: He established temples open to all castes; [K. Kelappan]: He was known as 'Kerala Gandhi' and participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha; [V.T. Bhattathiripad]: He was a progressive social reformer among Namboothiris, campaigning for widow remarriage.