Social Reforms — Set 6

Correct Answer: A. Mahatma Gandhi

• **Mahatma Gandhi** founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh in **1932**. • The organization worked for the eradication of untouchability and the upliftment of the 'Harijans' (children of God). • It opened schools and temples for the depressed classes. • 💡 **Thakkar Bapa** = Servants of India Society, tribal welfare; **Jyotiba Phule** = Satya Shodhak Samaj, Maharashta; **Ambedkar** = Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha — **Gandhi** founded Harijan Sevak Sangh 1932.

Correct Answer: B. Dayanand Saraswati

• Swami **Dayanand Saraswati** was the first to use the term 'Swaraj' in a political sense, meaning 'India for Indians'. • He advocated for self-rule long before it became a central theme of the freedom struggle. • Later, leaders like Tilak and Dadabhai Naoroji popularized it. • 💡 **Dadabhai Naoroji** = Drain theory, Rast Goftar; **Tilak** = coined 'Swaraj is my birthright' slogan; **Gandhi** = used 'Swaraj' for non-cooperation era — **Dayanand Saraswati** first used 'Swaraj' politically.

Correct Answer: A. Raja Ram Mohan Roy

• **Raja Ram Mohan Roy** wrote 'Gift to Monotheists' (Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin) in **1809**. • It was written in Persian with an Arabic preface. • In this work, he argued against idol worship and supported the concept of a single God. • 💡 **Sir Syed Ahmed Khan** = Tahzib-ul-Akhlaq, Scientific Society; **Vivekananda** = Raja Yoga, Complete Works; **Debendranath Tagore** = Brahmo Dharma — **Ram Mohan Roy** wrote 'Gift to Monotheists' 1809.

Correct Answer: C. Pandita Ramabai

• **Pandita Ramabai** established the Sharada Sadan in **1889**. • It was a home and school for young widows who had been abandoned by their families. • The institution provided them with education and vocational training. • 💡 **Annie Besant** = Theosophical Society, not Sharada Sadan; **Savitribai Phule** = girls' school in Pune (1848); **Ramabai Ranade** = Bharat Mahila Parishad — **Pandita Ramabai** established Sharada Sadan 1889.

Correct Answer: A. Indian National Congress

• **Indian Social Conference** met annually alongside **Indian National Congress** sessions. • Founded in **1887** by **M.G. Ranade** and Raghunath Rao — reform platform beside Congress politics. • Worked on widow remarriage, inter-caste dining, child marriage, Pledge Movement against infant marriage. • 💡 Muslim League = separate body; Arya Samaj = religious reform; Theosophical Society = spiritual — Social Conference met with Indian National Congress.

Correct Answer: D. Dayanand Saraswati

• Swami **Dayanand Saraswati** is often called the 'Martin Luther of India'. • This is because of his aggressive efforts to reform Hinduism and his protest against orthodox rituals, similar to Luther's role in Christianity. • He sought to return the religion to its scriptural purity. • 💡 **Vivekananda** = called 'Martin Luther of Hinduism' but not 'of India'; **Ram Mohan Roy** = Father of Modern India, Prophet of Nationalism; **Keshab Chandra Sen** = Brahmo Samaj leader — **Dayanand Saraswati** = 'Martin Luther of India'.

Correct Answer: C. Travancore

• The Temple Entry Proclamation was issued in the princely state of **Travancore** in **1936**. • It was issued by the Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma. • This historic proclamation opened temples to all Hindus, regardless of caste. • 💡 **Baroda** = progressive princely state, Sayajirao Gaekwad; **Hyderabad** = Nizam ruled, no such proclamation; **Mysore** = progressive but temple entry not proclaimed — **Travancore** issued Temple Entry Proclamation 1936.

Correct Answer: A. Dadabhai Naoroji

• **Dadabhai Naoroji** founded the 'Rast Goftar' newspaper in **1851**. • It was a Gujarati fortnightly aimed at social reform among Parsis. • The paper championed the cause of female education and modernization. • 💡 **Badruddin Tyabji** = INC president 1887, not Parsi press; **Pherozeshah Mehta** = Bombay Chronicle; **Dinshaw Wacha** = INC/Parsi politician — **Dadabhai Naoroji** founded Rast Goftar 1851.

Correct Answer: C. B.R. Ambedkar

• **Dr. B.R. Ambedkar** led the **Mahad Satyagraha (1927)** in Maharashtra for water-tank rights. • Goal: assert Dalit right to draw water from **Chavdar Tank**, Mahad town. • Ambedkar publicly burnt Manusmriti on **25 December 1927** at Mahad — symbolic protest. • 💡 Periyar = Tamil Nadu Self-Respect; Jyotiba Phule = 19th-century reformer; Gandhi = Harijan Sevak Sangh — Mahad Satyagraha led by B.R. Ambedkar.

Correct Answer: A. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

• **Sir Syed Ahmed Khan** founded the Scientific Society in **1864 **at Ghazipur (later moved to Aligarh). • The society translated Western scientific and historical works into Urdu. • Its goal was to promote modern thinking among Muslims. • 💡 **Abdul Latif** = Mohammedan Literary Society in Bengal; **Badruddin Tyabji** = INC moderate, not scientific society; **Ram Mohan Roy** = Atmiya Sabha/Brahmo Samaj — **Sir Syed Ahmed Khan** founded Scientific Society 1864.