Indian History and World History (Part-27)

THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL REFORM MOVEMENTS

Total Questions: 43

11. Who among the following was the founder of Prarthana Samaj? [S.S.C. Online MTS (T-I) 12.10.2021 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (b) Atmaram Pandurang
Solution:

The Prarthana Samaj was founded by Atmaram Pandurang in 1867.

Main Objectives:

  • Promote monotheism (belief in one God)

  • Reform Hindu religion and society

  • Remove caste discrimination, child marriage, and female illiteracy

  • Encourage widow remarriage and women's rights

12. Which of the following statements about Swami Dayanand Saraswati is INCORRECT? [S.S.C. Online CGL (T-I) 13.08.2021 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (b) He was the founder of Brahmo Samaj.
Solution:

The Brahmo Samaj was founded in 1828 by Raja Rammohan Roy. Therefore, all other three options are correct.

13. When was the Indian Reform Association formed? [S.S.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 17.03.2020 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (a) 1870
Solution:

In 1870, the Indian Reform Association was founded by Keshav Chandra Sen.

It represented the secular side of the Brahmo Samaj and included many people who did not belong to the Brahmo Samaj.

14. Who was the founder of the Indian Reform Association in 1870? [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 7.09.2016 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (b) Keshab Chandra Sen
Solution:

In 1870, the Indian Reform Association was founded by Keshav Chandra Sen.

It represented the secular side of the Brahmo Samaj and included many people who did not belong to the Brahmo Samaj.

15. Who was the founder of the Theosophical Society? [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 27.08.2016 (Shift-III)]

Correct Answer: (b) Madam Blavatsky
Solution:

The Theosophical Society' was founded by a Russian woman, Madam H.P. Blavatsky, American military officer Colonel Alcott, William Quan Judge, and others in New York in 1875.

Colonel Alcott and Madame Blavatsky came to India in 1879 and established the Theosophical Society Headquarters near Adyar in Madras in 1882.

16. Who was the founder of the Theosophical Society of India? [S.S.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 8.09.2016 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above
Solution:

The Theosophical Society' was founded by a Russian woman, Madam H.P. Blavatsky, American military officer Colonel Alcott, William Quan Judge, and others in New York in 1875.

Colonel Alcott and Madame Blavatsky came to India in 1879 and established the Theosophical Society Headquarters near Adyar in Madras in 1882.

17. Which of the following was not actively engaged in social and religious reforms in India? [SS.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 10.09.2016 (Shift-II)]

Correct Answer: (d) Bharatendu Harish Chandra
Solution:

Bhartendu Harishchandra is known as the father of modern Hindi literature as well as Hindi theatre.

He is considered one of the greatest Hindi writers of modern India.

A noted poet, he was a trendsetter in Hindi prose-writing.

He was not associated with social reforms, while Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Jyotiba Phule played their role actively in social and religious reform movements.

18. Veteran freedom fighter, social reformer and feminist Savithribai Phule hailed from which of the following states of India? [SS.C. Online Graduate Level (T-I) 3.03.2020 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (a) Maharashtra
Solution:

Veteran freedom fighter, social reformer, and feminist Savitribai Phule was from Maharashtra.

She was a teacher, social reformer, and Marathi poetess.

Savitribai Phule was married to Jyotiba Phule in 1840.

She, along with her husband, founded a school for women in Pune in the year 1848.

19. Swami Vivekananda established Ramakrishna Mission in the year_______. [SS.C. Online CHSL (T-I) 12.04.2021 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (a) 1897
Solution:

In 1897, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission in Vellore, Kolkata.

It was registered in the year 1909 under the Societies Registration Act.

Ramakrishna Mission – 

  1. Founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897.

  2. Inspired by Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa’s teachings.

  3. Headquarters: Belur Math, Kolkata.

  4. Motto: "For one’s own salvation and the welfare of the world".

  5. Works in education, healthcare, relief, and spiritual upliftment.

  6. Promotes religious harmony and selfless service.

  7. Symbol of modern Hinduism combining spirituality with social work.

20. The Ramakrishna Mission stressed the ideal of_______________ through social service and selfless action. [SS.C. Online CGL (T-I) 01.12.2022 (Shift-I)]

Correct Answer: (c) salvation
Solution:

Ramakrishna Mission stressed the ideal of salvation through social service and selfless action.

Swami Vivekananda established the Ramakrishna Mission to stress the ideals of salvation through social ser vice and selfless action.

The mission is named after an Indian spiritual Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and founded by Ramakrishna's chief disciple Swami Vivekananda on May 1st 1897.