Social Reformers — Set 6

Correct Answer: A. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

• **Raja Ram Mohan Roy** = He founded the 'Brahmo Samaj' to promote monotheism and rationalism in Hinduism. • **1828** — This year marks the establishment of the Brahmo Samaj by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Debendranath Tagore]: He later led the Brahmo Samaj after Roy; [Keshab Chandra Sen]: He led a faction of the Brahmo Samaj (Brahmo Samaj of India); [Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar]: He was known for his work on widow remarriage and education.

Correct Answer: B. Jyotirao Phule

• **Jyotirao Phule** = He founded the 'Satyashodhak Samaj' to promote education and social rights for marginalized communities. • **1873** — This year marks the establishment of the Satyashodhak Samaj by Jyotirao Phule. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [B.R. Ambedkar]: He championed Dalit rights and drafted the Indian Constitution; [Dhondo Keshav Karve]: He was a pioneer of women's education, establishing India's first women's university; [Mahadev Govind Ranade]: He was a co-founder of Prarthana Samaj, a judge, and a social reformer.

Correct Answer: B. B.R. Ambedkar

• **B.R. Ambedkar** = He was the first Law Minister of independent India and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. • **1947** — He was appointed as the first Law Minister of independent India in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Jawaharlal Nehru]: He was the first Prime Minister of India; [Sardar Patel]: He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India; [Maulana Azad]: He was the first Education Minister of India.

Correct Answer: A. Dayanand Saraswati

• **Dayanand Saraswati** = He founded the 'Arya Samaj' movement, advocating a return to the pristine teachings of the Vedas. • **1875** — This year marks the establishment of the Arya Samaj by Dayanand Saraswati. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Swami Vivekananda]: He founded the Ramakrishna Mission, a key figure in modern Hindu reform; [Ramakrishna Paramahansa]: He was the spiritual guru of Swami Vivekananda, emphasizing the unity of all religions; [Lala Lajpat Rai]: He was a nationalist leader, associated with the Arya Samaj but not its founder.

Correct Answer: B. Madam Bhikaji Cama

• **Madam Bhikaji Cama** = She is known as the 'Mother of Indian Revolution' for her pioneering work for India's independence abroad. • **1907** — She unfurled the first Indian national flag abroad at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Sarojini Naidu]: She was known as the 'Nightingale of India', a poet and political activist; [Annie Besant]: She was a leader of the Theosophical Society and the Home Rule Movement in India; [Aruna Asaf Ali]: She was a prominent figure in the Quit India Movement, known for hoisting the Indian flag in 1942.

Correct Answer: A. Sree Narayana Guru

• **Sree Narayana Guru** = He established temples open to all castes, challenging traditional caste-based discrimination in Kerala. • **1888** — He consecrated the Aravippuram temple, a pivotal moment in social reform against caste discrimination. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ayyankali]: He led the Kallumala Samaram and fought for Dalit rights; [K. Kelappan]: He participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha for temple entry rights; [Sahodaran Ayyappan]: He was a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru, promoting inter-caste dining.

Correct Answer: A. Annie Besant

• **Annie Besant** = She was a prominent leader of the 'Theosophical Society' in India and a champion of the Home Rule movement. • **1893** — She arrived in India in this year and became a central figure in the Theosophical Society's work. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Madam Blavatsky]: She was a co-founder of the Theosophical Society globally; [Henry Steel Olcott]: He was a co-founder of the Theosophical Society globally and its first President; [Margaret Noble]: She was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda, known as Sister Nivedita, who worked for women's education and social service.

Correct Answer: B. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

• **Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar** = He was instrumental in legalizing widow remarriage in Bengal through his persistent efforts. • **1856** — His campaign led to the passing of the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Raja Ram Mohan Roy]: He campaigned against Sati and founded Brahmo Samaj; [Keshab Chandra Sen]: He was a leader of the Brahmo Samaj of India, advocating for women's rights; [Debendranath Tagore]: He was a leader of the Adi Brahmo Samaj.

Correct Answer: B. Vinoba Bhave

• **Vinoba Bhave** = He initiated the 'Bhoodan Movement' to address landlessness by encouraging voluntary land donations. • **1951** — He launched the Bhoodan (land gift) movement in this year from Pochampally, Telangana. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Jayaprakash Narayan]: He led the Total Revolution movement and was associated with later phases of Bhoodan; [Mahatma Gandhi]: He was Vinoba Bhave's spiritual guide, but did not start the Bhoodan movement himself; [Baba Amte]: He worked for the rehabilitation of leprosy patients and social empowerment.

Correct Answer: A. Atmaram Pandurang

• **Atmaram Pandurang** = He founded the 'Prarthana Samaj' to promote monotheism and social reform in Maharashtra. • **1867** — This year marks the establishment of the Prarthana Samaj by Atmaram Pandurang. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Mahadev Govind Ranade]: He later became a prominent leader of the Prarthana Samaj but was not its founder; [Gopal Hari Deshmukh]: He was known as 'Lokahitwadi', a social reformer and writer; [Jyotirao Phule]: He was the founder of Satyashodhak Samaj, known for anti-caste and women's education work.