Social Reforms — Set 1
Indian History · सामाजिक सुधार · Questions 1–10 of 100
Who founded the 'Atmiya Sabha' in Calcutta in 1815 as a precursor to socio-religious reforms?
Correct Answer: B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
• **Raja Ram Mohan Roy** founded the Atmiya Sabha in **1815 **to propagate monotheism and fight social evils. • This organization served as a precursor to the Brahmo Samaj, which was established later. • It aimed to challenge idol worship and rigid caste practices prevalent in society. • 💡 **Keshab Chandra Sen** = later Brahmo Samaj leader, not founder; **Debendranath Tagore** = Tattvabodhini Sabha (1839); **Vidyasagar** = widow remarriage champion — **Ram Mohan Roy** founded Atmiya Sabha 1815.
The 'Tattvabodhini Sabha' was established in 1839 by which prominent reformer?
Correct Answer: B. Debendranath Tagore
• **Debendranath Tagore** established the Tattvabodhini Sabha in **1839 **to propagate the true understanding of the Upanishads. • The Sabha also published a journal called 'Tattvabodhini Patrika' to spread its ideas. • It later merged with the Brahmo Samaj, strengthening the reform movement. • 💡 **Surendranath Banerjee** = Indian Association founder; **Ram Mohan Roy** = Brahmo Samaj 1828; **Rabindranath Tagore** = poet, not reform organiser — **Debendranath Tagore** founded Tattvabodhini Sabha 1839.
Which organization was founded by M.G. Ranade and R.G. Bhandarkar in Maharashtra to promote social reforms?
Correct Answer: B. Prarthana Samaj
• **Prarthana Samaj** = founded in **Bombay (1867)** by M.G. Ranade and R.G. Bhandarkar. • Focused on **social reform** — anti-caste, widow remarriage, women's education. • Inspired by Brahmo Samaj; Atmaram Pandurang started it, Ranade and Bhandarkar strengthened it. • 💡 Brahmo Samaj = Bengal (Ram Mohan Roy, 1828); Veda Samaj = Madras (1864); Arya Samaj = Bombay (Dayananda, 1875) — Maharashtra body = Prarthana Samaj.
The 'Paramhans Mandali', a secret society to fight caste rules, was founded in which region?
Correct Answer: C. Maharashtra
• The Paramhans Mandali was founded in **Maharashtra** (Bombay) in **1849 **by Dadoba Pandurang and others. • It was a secret society that primarily aimed to break caste rules and promote widow remarriage. • Members often took food cooked by lower caste people to demonstrate their commitment. • 💡 **Bengal** = Brahmo Samaj founded there; **Madras** = Veda Samaj (1864); **Punjab** = Arya Samaj dominant — **Paramhans Mandali** (1849) founded in Maharashtra/Bombay.
Who was the founder of the 'Seva Sadan' in Bombay in 1885?
Correct Answer: D. Behramji M. Malabari
• **Behramji M. Malabari** founded the **Seva Sadan in Bombay (1885)** for socially discarded women. • Parsi reformer — campaigned vigorously against **child marriage** and enforced widowhood. • His Notes on Infant Marriage and Enforced Widowhood (1884) led to Age of Consent Act 1891. • 💡 Dayanand Saraswati = Arya Samaj; G.K. Gokhale = Servants of India Society; Swami Vivekananda = Ramakrishna Mission — Seva Sadan (1885) = Behramji M. Malabari.
The 'Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha' was formed to reform which religious community?
Correct Answer: D. Parsis
• The Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha was founded in **1851 **to initiate reforms within the Parsi community. • Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji were instrumental in its formation to improve the social condition of **Parsis**. • It aimed to restore the Zoroastrian religion to its original purity. • 💡 **Muslims** = Aligarh Movement by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan; **Jains** = no major 19th-century reform body named here; **Sikhs** = Singh Sabha (1873) — Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha reformed **Parsis**.
Who founded the 'Deva Samaj' in Lahore in 1887?
Correct Answer: B. Shiv Narain Agnihotri
• **Shiv Narain Agnihotri** founded the Deva Samaj in **1887 **in Lahore. • The movement emphasized moral purity and the prohibition of intoxicants and bribery. • It had its own religious text called 'Deva Shastra'. • 💡 **Lala Hansraj** = Dayananda Anglo-Vedic College founder; **Lala Lajpat Rai** = nationalist politician; **Mul Shankar** = Dayanand Saraswati's birth name — **Shiv Narain Agnihotri** founded Deva Samaj 1887.
The 'Veda Samaj', inspired by the Brahmo Samaj, was established in which city in 1864?
Correct Answer: B. Madras
• **Veda Samaj** = founded in **Madras (1864)** by K. Sridharalu Naidu and others. • **Inspired by Brahmo Samaj** — worked against caste, for widow remarriage and women's education. • Later renamed Brahmo Samaj of South India; major influence on Tamil/Telugu reform thought. • 💡 Pune = Prarthana Samaj (1867); Bombay = Arya Samaj (1875); Calcutta = Brahmo Samaj (1828) — Veda Samaj founded in Madras 1864.
Who founded the 'Social Service League' in Bombay in 1911?
Correct Answer: B. Narayan Malhar Joshi
• **Narayan Malhar Joshi** founded the Social Service League in Bombay in **1911**. • The organization aimed to secure better working and living conditions for the masses. • Joshi was also a key figure in the Indian trade union movement. • 💡 **V.R. Shinde** = Depressed Classes Mission (1906); **Tilak** = nationalist leader, not social service; **Gokhale** = Servants of India Society (1905) — **Narayan Malhar Joshi** founded Social Service League 1911.
The 'Aravipuram Movement' in Kerala was launched by whom to challenge upper-caste monopoly?
Correct Answer: D. Sri Narayana Guru
• **Sri Narayana Guru** launched the Aravipuram Movement in **1888 **by consecrating an idol of Shiva, defying Brahmin monopoly. • He advocated for the social upliftment of the Ezhava community in Kerala. • His famous slogan was 'One Caste, One Religion, One God for Mankind'. • 💡 **T.K. Madhavan** = Vaikom Satyagraha initiator; **K. Kelappan** = Guruvayur Temple movement; **Ayyankali** = Pulaya community leader — **Sri Narayana Guru** launched Aravipuram Movement 1888.