Social Reforms — Set 4

Correct Answer: D. Adyar (Madras)

• **Theosophical Society HQ** = Adyar near **Madras (Chennai)**, established in **1882**. • Moved from New York by **H.P. Blavatsky and H.S. Olcott** — society's two co-founders. • Annie Besant later became its President (1907) — made Adyar the global Theosophy centre. • 💡 Pune = Prarthana Samaj; Calcutta = Brahmo Samaj; Bombay = Arya Samaj — Theosophical HQ at Adyar, Madras (1882).

Correct Answer: D. Annie Besant

• **Annie Besant** played a pivotal role in popularizing the Theosophical Society in India after she arrived in **1893**. • She became its president in **1907 **and advocated for the revival of Hinduism. • She also contributed significantly to Indian education and the freedom struggle. • 💡 **Sarojini Naidu** = INC politician, not Theosophy; **Sister Nivedita** = Vivekananda's Irish disciple; **Madam Blavatsky** = co-founder, not populariser in India — **Annie Besant** made Theosophy popular in India from 1893.

Correct Answer: B. Jyotiba Phule

• **Jyotiba Phule** founded the Satya Shodhak Samaj in **1873 **in Maharashtra. • The society aimed to liberate the lower castes from the exploitation of Brahmins and priests. • Phule championed the cause of the downtrodden and women's education. • 💡 **Ambedkar** = wrote Annihilation of Caste (1936); **Tilak** = nationalist, opposed Brahmin reforms critique; **Gokhale** = liberal reformer, not anti-caste radical — **Jyotiba Phule** founded Satya Shodhak Samaj 1873.

Correct Answer: B. Jyotiba Phule

• **Jyotiba Phule** wrote the book 'Ghulamgiri' (Slavery) in **1873**. • He dedicated this book to the people of America who fought to abolish slavery. • The text critiques the caste system and advocates for the rights of the lower castes. • 💡 **Periyar** = Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu; **Savitribai Phule** = opened first girls' school (correct answer here is a different question); **Ambedkar** = Dalit rights, Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha — **Jyotiba Phule** wrote Ghulamgiri 1873.

Correct Answer: B. Savitribai Phule

• **Savitribai Phule**, along with her husband Jyotiba Phule, opened the first school for girls in Pune in **1848**. • She is often regarded as India's first female teacher. • She faced immense social opposition but continued her work for women's education. • 💡 **Pandita Ramabai** = Arya Mahila Samaj and Sharada Sadan; **Ramabai Ranade** = Bharat Mahila Parishad (1904); **Annie Besant** = Central Hindu College — **Savitribai Phule** opened first girls' school in Pune 1848.

Correct Answer: A. Henry Vivian Derozio

• **Henry Vivian Derozio** was the leader and inspiration behind the Young Bengal Movement in the late **1820**s. • He was a teacher at Hindu College, Calcutta, who encouraged students to think freely and question authority. • His followers were known as Derozians. • 💡 **Rasikkrishna Mallick** = Derozian student follower; **Ram Mohan Roy** = older generation, Brahmo Samaj; **David Hare** = Scottish philanthropist who founded Hindu College — **Henry Vivian Derozio** led Young Bengal Movement.

Correct Answer: D. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

• **Sir Syed Ahmed Khan** founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College at Aligarh in **1875**. • It later developed into the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). • The institution was central to the Aligarh Movement, promoting modern Western education among Muslims. • 💡 **Jinnah** = Muslim League founder, not educational reform; **Badruddin Tyabji** = INC leader, not MAO founder; **Maulana Azad** = Khilafat, Congress — **Sir Syed Ahmed Khan** founded MAO College, Aligarh 1875.

Correct Answer: B. Muslims

• **Aligarh Movement** = reform movement aimed at the **Muslim community** in India. • Led by **Sir Syed Ahmed Khan** — founded MAO College, Aligarh (**1875**), later AMU (1920). • Encouraged Muslims to acquire modern scientific education and English language skills. • 💡 Sikhs = Singh Sabha (1873); Parsis = Rahnumai Mazdayasnan Sabha; Christians = missionary work — Aligarh Movement aimed at Muslims.

Correct Answer: B. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

• **Sir Syed Ahmed Khan** published the journal 'Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq' (Social Reformer). • Through this journal, he advocated for rational thinking and criticized conservative social customs. • It played a key role in spreading his reformist ideas. • 💡 **Maulana Azad** = Al-Hilal newspaper, Khilafat; **Altaf Hussain Hali** = Urdu poet, Syed Ahmed's collaborator; **Shibli Nomani** = Islamic historian — **Sir Syed Ahmed Khan** published Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq.

Correct Answer: B. 1856

• The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act was passed in ****1856****. • It legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows, which was previously forbidden by custom. • Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was the primary campaigner for this legislation. • 💡 **1872** = Native Marriage Act (Civil Marriage Act); **1835** = Macaulay's Minute on education; **1829** = Sati abolished by Bentinck — Widow Remarriage Act passed in **1856**.