Indian History and World History (Part-27)

THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL REFORM MOVEMENTS

Total Questions: 43

1. Who introduced Western education? [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 7.09.2016 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (a) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Solution:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the founder of the Brahmo Sabha in 1828, introduced western education in India.

He protested against the East India Company's decision to support vernacular education and insisted that English replace Sanskrit and Persian in India.

He supported the induction of scientific learning and worked hard to promote western education in India.

His efforts led to the establishment of the Hindu College at Calcutta in 1817.

2. Who is generally considered to be the father of the Indian Renaissance? [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 29.08.2016 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Solution:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy is generally considered to be the Father of the Indian Renaissance

Key Points:

  • He was a social reformer, educationalist, and founder of the Brahmo Samaj (1828).

  • Fought against social evils like Sati, child marriage, and caste discrimination.

  • Promoted women's rights, especially widow remarriage and education for girls.

  • Advocated for modern education, including science, reason, and English language learning.

3. Who was the founder of the Brahmo Samaj, founded in 1828? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 7.01.2017 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (d) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Solution:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the founder of the Brahmo Sabha (later known as the Brahmo Samaj), was a great scholar and an independent thinker.

He was a religious and social reformer and is known as the 'Father of Modern India' or 'Father of the Bengal Renaissance'.

Social Reforms

  • Led the movement to abolish Sati (banned in 1829).

  • Fought against child marriage, polygamy, and caste discrimination.

  • Supported widow remarriage and women’s rights.

Educational Reforms

  • Promoted Western education with science and English.

  • Helped establish Hindu College (1817).

  • Opened English medium schools.

Religious Reforms

  • Founded Brahmo Samaj (1828) – promoted monotheism and rational religion.

  • Opposed idol worship and meaningless rituals.

Publications

  • Started Sambad Kaumudi (Bengali newspaper) and Mirat-ul-Akbar (Persian journal).

  • Wrote Tuhfat-ul-Muwahhidin and translated Vedas & Upanishads to support reform.

4. Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded a reform association known as Brahmo Sabha which was later known as________. [S.S.C. Online CGL (T-I) 01.12.2022 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (d) Brahmo Samaj
Solution:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the founder of the Brahmo Sabha (later known as the Brahmo Samaj), was a great scholar and an independent thinker.

He was a religious and social reformer and is known as the 'Father of Modern India' or 'Father of the Bengal Renaissance'.

5. Whose greatest achievement was the setting up of the Brahmo Samaj? [S.S.C. Online Constable GD 12.02.2019 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (a) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Solution:
  • Raja Ram Mohan Roy, the founder of the Brahmo Sabha (later known as the Brahmo Samaj), was a great scholar and an independent thinker.He was a religious and social reformer and is known as the 'Father of Modern India' or 'Father of the Bengal Renaissance'.

6. Who was the founder of the first 'Atmiya Sabha (philosophical discussion circle) of Kolkata held in 1815? [C.P.O. S.I. 6.06.2016 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (a) Ram Mohan Roy
Solution:

Atmiya Sabha was founded by Ram Mohan Roy in 1815 in Kolkata (then Calcutta).

It organised debates and discussions on philosophical topics, and promoted free and collective thinking and social reforms.

The founding of Atmiya Sabha was considered to be the beginning of the modern age in Kolkata.

7. Which of the following organization was established earlier than the other three organizations during British rule? [S.S.C. Online MTS (T-I) 11.10.2021 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (d) Brahmo Samaj
Solution:

The chronology of the organizations established during British rule was

  1. Brahmo Samaj (1828).
  2. Paramhans Mandali (1849).
  3. Prarthana Samaj (1867)
  4. and Satyashodhak Samaj (1873).

So it is clear that Brahmo Samaj (1828) was founded earlier than other organizations.

8. Who was the founder of Arya Samaj? [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 1.09.2016 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (b) Dayanand Saraswati
Solution:

In 1875, Dayanand Saraswati (original name- Moolshankar) founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay, whose main objective was reviving the ancient Vedic religion.

  • In 1877, the headquarters of Arya Samaj was established at Lahore, after which Arya Samaj got more publicity.
  • Due to the belief in pure Vedic tradition, Swamiji gave the slogan 'Come again towards the Vedas'.
  • Swami Dayanand Saraswati is called the 'Martin Luther King of India' because of his religious reform efforts.
  • He wrote the book 'Satyarth Prakash'.

9. The Arya Samaj was founded in _________ by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. [S.S.C. Online CPO S.I. (T-I) 11.11.2022 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (a) 1875
Solution:

In 1875, Dayanand Saraswati (original name- Moolshankar) founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay, whose main objective was reviving the ancient Vedic religion.

  • In 1877, the headquarters of Arya Samaj was established at Lahore, after which Arya Samaj got more publicity.
  • Due to the belief in pure Vedic tradition, Swamiji gave the slogan 'Come again towards the Vedas'.
  • Swami Dayanand Saraswati is called the 'Martin Luther King of India' because of his religious reform efforts.
  • He wrote the book 'Satyarth Prakash'.

10. Who among the following founded the Arya Samaj in 1875? [S.S.C. Online MTS (T-I) 18.10.2021 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (b) Dayanand Saraswati
Solution:

In 1875, Dayanand Saraswati (original name- Moolshankar) founded the Arya Samaj in Bombay, whose main objective was reviving the ancient Vedic religion.

  • In 1877, the headquarters of Arya Samaj was established at Lahore, after which Arya Samaj got more publicity.
  • Due to the belief in pure Vedic tradition, Swamiji gave the slogan 'Come again towards the Vedas'.
  • Swami Dayanand Saraswati is called the 'Martin Luther King of India' because of his religious reform efforts.
  • He wrote the book 'Satyarth Prakash'.