Social-Religious Reforms Movement

(A) and (R) are independent of each other

Explanation — Raja Rammohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 in order to purify and reform Hinduism. Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.

P and R

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

Promotion of western sciences and culture among the Muslims.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Both statements (I) and (II) are correct.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar founded the Ramakrishna Mission in 1896.

Narayana Guru

Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee

French Revolution, American Revolution and American Civil war.

The main aims of the reformers of the nineteenth century in India were:

1. Abolition of social evils such as sati, female infanticide, child marriage, and caste discrimination.
2. Promotion of women’s rights — advocating widow remarriage, female education, and gender equality.
3. Spread of modern education — encouraging scientific thinking and rationalism rather than blind faith and superstition.
4. Religious reform — purifying religion by going back to its original texts and rejecting superstitions, rituals, and idol worship.
5. National awakening — inspiring unity, self-respect, and a sense of pride in India’s cultural heritage.

The reforms initiated by Raja Ram Mohan Roy are given below:

Religious Reforms Initiated by Raja Ram Mohan Roy —

• Founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 to purify and reform Hinduism.
• Opposed idol worship and the caste system.
• Advocated the worship of one God.
• Published Bengali translations of the Vedas and principles of the Upanishads to educate people about their religion.

Social Reforms Initiated by Raja Ram Mohan Roy —

• Fought against the evil custom of Sati, leading to its ban by Lord William Bentinck in 1829.
• Championed women’s rights, opposing child marriage and polygamy.
• Supported widow remarriage and demanded inheritance rights for women.

Educational Reforms Initiated by Raja Ram Mohan Roy —

• Supported western education and sought a balance with traditional Indian teaching.
• Started his own school in Calcutta and helped David Hare in opening the Hindu College, which later became the Presidency College.
• Founded the Vedanta College in 1825 for teaching both western sciences and Indian learning, promoting rational and scientific thinking.

The main teachings of the Arya Samaj are given below:

1. Opposed idol worship, caste system, religious creeds, child marriage, purdah system.
2. Preached social equality by opening the doors of the Arya Samaj to the Shudras and other depressed classes.
3. Encouraged the study of Sanskrit and Vedas along with English education and Western sciences. The Arya Samaj opened many schools and colleges for boys and girls.
4. Advocated the superiority of the Vedas and thus created a feeling of self-confidence, self-respect and national pride. Swami Dayanand believed the Vedas contain the truth of science as well as truth of religion.

Contribution to the Spread of Education in India —

1. The Arya Samaj opened many schools and colleges for boys and girls, known as DAV (Dayanand Anglo-Vedic) Schools.
2. Promoted modern education alongside traditional learning, combining Western sciences with Indian knowledge.
3. Helped in the upliftment of women and weakening of the caste system through education.

Swami Vivekananda spread the ideas of his Guru Ramakrishna in the following ways:

1. Preaching in India and Abroad: He carried the message of his Guru, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, not only in India but all over the world.
2. World Parliament of Religions (1893): Represented Hinduism at Chicago and made a great impact, reviving the image of spiritual India.
3. Founding of Ramakrishna Mission (1897): Established schools, colleges, hospitals, and orphanages to serve common people and spread his Guru’s teachings practically.

His religious philosoply was:

1. He believed in unity and oneness of all religions.
2. He believed that serving humanity is a form of worship and spiritual practice.

Social Reforms by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan —

1. Worked to raise the status of women in society.
2. Advocated the removal of Purdah and spread of education among women.
3. Condemned the customs of polygamy and easy divorce.

Educational Reforms by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan —

1. Encouraged Muslims to receive English education and learn Western sciences and culture.
2. Founded the Muhammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875, which later became Aligarh Muslim University.
3. Had many Western books translated into Urdu for the benefit of Muslims.

(i) women

(ii) 1849

(iii) 1856