Social Reforms — Set 2

Correct Answer: C. Ramabai Ranade

• **Ramabai Ranade** established the Bharat Mahila Parishad in **1904 **to educate women and improve their social status. • It functioned as the women's wing of the National Social Conference. • The organization focused on child welfare and women's rights. • 💡 **Annie Besant** = Theosophical Society leader; **Sarojini Naidu** = poet-politician, Indian National Congress; **Pandita Ramabai** = Sharada Sadan — **Ramabai Ranade** founded Bharat Mahila Parishad 1904.

Correct Answer: C. Mannath Padmanabhan

• **Mannath Padmanabhan** founded the Nair Service Society (NSS) in **1914 **in Kerala. • The society worked for the social and educational advancement of the Nair community. • It played a crucial role in the temple entry movements in Travancore. • 💡 **K. Kelappan** = Guruvayur Satyagraha leader; **T.M. Nair** = non-Brahmin movement in Madras; **C.N. Mudaliar** = no major reform role — **Mannath Padmanabhan** founded Nair Service Society 1914.

Correct Answer: B. Civil Marriage Act

• The Native Marriage Act of **1872 **is also popularly known as the **Civil Marriage Act**. • It prohibited child marriage and polygamy, but was not applicable to Hindus, Muslims, and other recognized faiths if they claimed their religion. • It was heavily advocated by Keshab Chandra Sen. • 💡 **Sharda Act (1930)** = fixed minimum marriage age; **Hindu Marriage Act** = post-independence 1955 law; **Age of Consent Act (1891)** = raised consent age to 12 — 1872 Native Marriage Act = **Civil Marriage Act**.

Correct Answer: D. Gopal Krishna Gokhale

• **Gopal Krishna Gokhale** founded the Servants of India Society in Pune in **1905**. • The society aimed to train national missionaries for the service of India and promote true interests of the Indian people. • Members were required to take vows of poverty and service. • 💡 **Lala Lajpat Rai** = Servants of the People Society (1921); **Tilak** = nationalist, opposed reforms as British interference; **Bipin Chandra Pal** = Extremist Congressman — **Gokhale** founded Servants of India Society 1905.

Correct Answer: C. Sikhs

• The Singh Sabha Movement was launched in Amritsar in **1873 **to reform the Sikh community. • It aimed to restore the purity of Sikhism and promote modern education among **Sikhs**. • This movement eventually led to the Akali Movement for Gurudwara reform. • 💡 **Buddhists** = Anagarika Dharmapala's revival movement; **Jains** = no comparable Sikh-style reform body; **Hindus** = Brahmo/Arya Samaj for Hindu reform — **Singh Sabha** (1873) reformed the **Sikh** community.

Correct Answer: A. Veeresalingam Pantulu

• **Veeresalingam Pantulu** was a key founder of the Madras Hindu Association in **1904**. • The association focused on social purity and the abolition of the Devadasi system. • Pantulu is often considered the 'Vidyasagar of the South' for his work on widow remarriage. • 💡 **Annie Besant** = Theosophical Society, Central Hindu College; **Subramania Bharati** = Tamil nationalist poet; **V.O. Chidambaram Pillai** = Swadeshi shipping activist — **Veeresalingam Pantulu** founded Madras Hindu Association 1904.

Correct Answer: C. 12 years

• The Age of Consent Act of **1891 **raised the age of consent for sexual intercourse for girls from 10 to **12 years**. • The act was strongly supported by reformer Behramji Malabari. • However, it faced opposition from orthodox leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak who viewed it as British interference. • 💡 **16 years** = Sharda Act (1930) minimum marriage age for girls; **14 years** = Sharda Act marriage threshold; **10 years** = the previous consent age before 1891 — Act of 1891 raised it to **12 years**.

Correct Answer: C. Margaret Cousins

• **Margaret Cousins** founded the All India Women's Conference (AIWC) in **1927**. • The organization initially focused on women's education but later expanded to address other women's rights issues. • It became one of the oldest and most influential women's organizations in India. • 💡 **Annie Besant** = Theosophical Society, not women's conference; **Vijayalakshmi Pandit** = diplomat, INC politician; **Sarojini Naidu** = Indian National Congress leader — **Margaret Cousins** founded AIWC 1927.

Correct Answer: D. E.V. Ramasamy Naicker

• **E.V. Ramasamy Naicker** (Periyar) started the **Self-Respect Movement (1925)** in Tamil Nadu. • Aimed to achieve a society where **backward castes** had equal human rights. • Anti-Brahminical, anti-ritual; his journal Kudi Arasu (1925) carried movement ideas. • 💡 M. Karunanidhi = DMK leader; C.N. Annadurai = DMK founder; K. Kamaraj = Congress CM — Self-Respect Movement started by Periyar E.V. Ramasamy.

Correct Answer: C. B.R. Ambedkar

• **Dr. B.R. Ambedkar** founded the **Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (1924)** in Bombay. • Goal: **Educate, Agitate, Organise** — uplift of the depressed classes. • Led Mahad Satyagraha (1927) and Kalaram Temple Entry (1930) under its banner. • 💡 Jyotiba Phule = Satyashodhak Samaj (1873); Gandhi = Harijan Sevak Sangh; Narayan Guru = SNDP Yogam — Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (1924) = B.R. Ambedkar.