Social Reforms — Set 3

Correct Answer: B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

• **Raja Ram Mohan Roy** is widely regarded as the Father of Modern India for his pioneering role in socio-religious reforms. • He challenged traditional orthodox practices and promoted scientific and rational thinking. • His efforts led to the abolition of Sati and the modernization of Indian education. • 💡 **Gandhi** = Father of the Nation, not Modern India; **Nehru** = first PM, architect of modern state; **Vivekananda** = spiritual nationalist — **Ram Mohan Roy** is universally called Father of Modern India.

Correct Answer: A. 1829

• The practice of Sati was declared illegal and punishable in ****1829****. • This historic decision was made by Governor-General William Bentinck. • The relentless campaigning of Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the primary force behind this legislation. • 💡 **1858** = Crown took over from East India Company; **1833** = Charter Act; **1815** = Ram Mohan Roy's Atmiya Sabha — Sati was banned in **1829** by Lord Bentinck.

Correct Answer: D. Lord William Bentinck

• **Lord William Bentinck** passed the Regulation XVII in **1829 **which banned Sati. • He is considered one of the most liberal British Governor-Generals of India. • He worked closely with Indian reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy to implement this change. • 💡 **Lord Dalhousie** = Doctrine of Lapse, railways; **Lord Curzon** = partition of Bengal 1905; **Lord Canning** = first Viceroy 1858 — **Lord William Bentinck** banned Sati in 1829.

Correct Answer: B. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

• **Raja Ram Mohan Roy** founded the Brahmo Samaj in **1828 **in Calcutta. • The organization promoted monotheism and opposed idol worship and empty rituals. • It became the first major socio-religious reform movement in 19th-century India. • 💡 **Keshab Chandra Sen** = led Brahmo Samaj of India (1866 split); **Rabindranath Tagore** = poet, not Brahmo Samaj founder; **Swami Dayanand** = Arya Samaj (1875) — **Ram Mohan Roy** founded Brahmo Samaj 1828.

Correct Answer: D. Dayanand Saraswati

• Swami **Dayanand Saraswati** gave the call 'Go back to the Vedas'. • He believed that the Vedas contained the ultimate truth and were free from later religious corruptions. • He sought to purify Hinduism by returning to its Vedic roots. • 💡 **Ram Mohan Roy** = said 'Back to the Vedas' spiritually but focused on monotheism; **Vivekananda** = preached Vedanta universally; **Ramakrishna** = mystical devotee, not Vedic slogan — **Dayanand Saraswati** gave 'Go back to the Vedas'.

Correct Answer: C. 1875

• The Arya Samaj was established by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in ****1875****. • It was founded in Bombay and later became very popular in Punjab and Northern India. • The Samaj worked for social reforms like widow remarriage and education for women. • 💡 **1828** = Brahmo Samaj founded by Ram Mohan Roy; **1905** = Servants of India Society by Gokhale; **1897** = Ramakrishna Mission by Vivekananda — **Arya Samaj** founded by Dayanand Saraswati in **1875**.

Correct Answer: A. Dayanand Saraswati

• Swami **Dayanand Saraswati** authored the book 'Satyarth Prakash' (The Light of Truth). • It is the most important text of the Arya Samaj, outlining his views on Vedic religion and society. • The book was originally written in Hindi to reach the masses. • 💡 **Vidyasagar** = championed widow remarriage, not Arya Samaj texts; **Ambedkar** = wrote Annihilation of Caste; **Vivekananda** = authored Raja Yoga — **Dayanand Saraswati** wrote Satyarth Prakash.

Correct Answer: A. Swami Vivekananda

• **Swami Vivekananda** founded the Ramakrishna Mission in **1897**. • He established it to propagate the teachings of his guru, Ramakrishna Paramhansa. • The Mission focused heavily on humanitarian relief and social work. • 💡 **Sarada Devi** = Ramakrishna's wife, spiritual mother; **Ramakrishna Paramhansa** = guru of Vivekananda, not mission founder; **Sister Nivedita** = Irish disciple — **Vivekananda** founded Ramakrishna Mission 1897.

Correct Answer: D. 1893

• Swami Vivekananda attended the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago in ****1893****. • His opening address starting with 'Sisters and Brothers of America' won him global acclaim. • This event introduced Hindu philosophy and Vedanta to the Western world. • 💡 **1902** = year Vivekananda died; **1885** = Indian National Congress founded; **1897** = Ramakrishna Mission founded — Vivekananda attended Chicago Parliament of Religions in **1893**.

Correct Answer: C. Ramakrishna Paramhansa

• **Ramakrishna Paramhansa** was the spiritual guru of Swami Vivekananda. • He was a mystic priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple who emphasized the unity of all religions. • His teachings deeply influenced Vivekananda's philosophy of service to mankind. • 💡 **Dayanand Saraswati** = Arya Samaj founder, not Vivekananda's guru; **Lahiri Mahasaya** = Kriya Yoga master, separate lineage; **Debendranath Tagore** = Brahmo Samaj — **Ramakrishna Paramhansa** was Vivekananda's guru.