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.

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.

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.

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.

Correct Answer: A. Indian National Congress

The Indian Social Conference met annually alongside the Indian National Congress sessions. It was founded by M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao in 1887. It served as the social reform cell of the nationalist movement.

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.

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.

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.

Correct Answer: C. B.R. Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar led the Mahad Satyagraha in 1927 in Maharashtra. It was organized to assert the right of Dalits to draw water from the public Chavdar Tale (tank). This was a landmark event in the Dalit rights movement.

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.