Socio-Religious and Cultural Reform Movements
9 solved SSC CGL History previous year questions on Socio-Religious and Cultural Reform Movements, each with the correct answer and a full explanation.
Q1
Dhondo Keshav Karve was an eminent Indian who championed the cause of ________.
✓ Correct answer: d) spread of women's education
ExplanationThe increasing educational opportunities for women Dhondo Keshav Karve was a prominent figure in Indian social reform and education.He advocated for the education of women and the remarriage of Hindu widows.Karve was also a teacher.In the year 1896, he established in the Indian state of Maharashtra the "Hindu Widow's Home Association," which is also known as the Hindu Widows Home or the Widows Home Association.This establishment served as a home and a school for widows.1907 was the year that he established the Mahila Vidyalaya, often known as the School for Women.Hence, the correct answer is "spread of women's education ."
Q2
In 1873 , the Satyashodhak Samaj was established in _________ .
✓ Correct answer: c) Bombay Presidency
ExplanationJyotiba Phule established Satya Shodhak Samaj on September 24th, 1873 in the city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra.Education and the protection of social rights were at the forefront of Satya Shodhak Samaj's mission to better the lives of those living on the margins of society.Hence, the correct answer is "C): Bombay Presidency."
Q3
Who among the following was the founder of the Aligarh movement, which was largely responsible for the revival of muslims in india?
✓ Correct answer: d) Sayyid Ahmad Khan
ExplanationMirza Ghulam Ahmad was the founder of the Ahmadiyya movement in British India, claiming to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.He emphasized peaceful reform and unity among Muslims.Muhammad Iqbal, a philosopher, poet, and politician, is considered the spiritual father of Pakistan.His poetry inspired the concept of a separate Muslim state, leading to the creation of Pakistan.Abdul Gaffar Khan, known as "Frontier Gandhi," was a prominent Indian independence activist and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.He championed non-violence and socio- economic upliftment in the northwest region.Sayyid Ahmad Khan, a reformer and educator, founded the Aligarh Movement, emphasizing modern education for Muslims in India.He aimed to bridge the gap between traditional Islamic teachings and modern knowledge.Hence, the correct answer is "Sayyid Ahmad Khan".
Q4
The Hindu Mahasabha was founded as a response to Muslim fundamentalism in which year?
✓ Correct answer: b) 1915
ExplanationFounded in 1915, the Hindu Mahasabha was a Hindu party that remained confined to North India.It aimed to unite Hindu society by encouraging the Hindus to transcend the divisions of caste and sect.It sought to define Hindu identity in opposition to Muslim identity.Hence the correct answer is "1915".
Q5
Which of the following organisations is credited with writing literary pieces for the abolition of Sati Pratha?
✓ Correct answer: b) The Brahmo Samaj
ExplanationThe Brahmo Samaj was a progressive socio-religious reform movement that emerged in 19th-century India.Founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, the movement aimed to reform and modernize Hindu society by advocating for rationality, social equality, and the elimination of harmful practices.The Brahmo Samaj played a pivotal role in various social reforms, including the abolition of the Sati Pratha.The Harijan Sevak Sangh, founded by Mahatma Gandhi, was an organization dedicated to uplifting and improving the lives of the marginalized and oppressed communities, especially the "Harijans" (Dalits).The Satya Shodhak Samaj, founded by Jyotirao Phule, was a social reform movement in Maharashtra that focused on caste-based inequalities and untouchability.Hence, the correct answer is “The Brahmo Samaj”.
Q6
Sohan Singh Bhakna and Har Dayal were primarily associated with which of the following organisations?
✓ Correct answer: a) Ghadar Party
ExplanationThe Ghadar Party was an Indian revolutionary organization founded in 1913 by Indian immigrants in the United States.The party's goal was to overthrow British rule in India and establish an independent India.The official founding has been dated to a meeting on 15 July 1913 in Astoria, Oregon, with the Ghadar headquarters and Hindustan Ghadar newspaper based in San Francisco, California.The Anushilan Samiti, founded on 24 March 1902 by Barindra Kumar Ghosh, Jatindernath Banerji, and Pramathanath Mitra, was a revolutionary organization that played a significant role in India's struggle for independence.Yugantar was founded in 1906 by Barindra Kumar Ghose and Bhupendranath Datta, both of whom were closely associated with the Anushilan Samiti.Hence, the correct answer is “Ghadar Party”.
Q7
Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar and Mahadev Govind Ranade carried out their work of religious reforms in Maharashtra through which of the following organisations?
✓ Correct answer: a) Prarthana Samaj
ExplanationPrarthana Samaj, or "Prayer Society" in Sanskrit, was a religious and social reform movement in Bombay that was based on earlier reform movements.Prarthana Samaj was founded in 1867 by Atmaram Pandurang with the assistance of Keshav Chandra Sen to prepare people to believe in and worship only one God.The foundation of this reform Samaj was the rise of nationalism in India, which eventually led to political independence.Dr. Atmaram Pandurang founded the Prarthana Sabha in 1867. NG Chandavarkar, Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, and Mahadev Govind Ranade were notable leaders.It accepted congregational worship and rejected idolatry as well as the Vedas.Hence, the correct answer is "Prarthana Samaj".
Q8
Who was the founder of Harijan Sevak Sangh founded in 1932?
✓ Correct answer: b) Mahatma Gandhi
ExplanationHarijan Sevak Sangh, founded in 1932, was an organization established by Mahatma Gandhi with the objective of uplifting and serving the marginalized and oppressed sections of society, particularly the "Harijans" (a term used by Gandhi to refer to the untouchables or Dalits).The organization aimed to work towards social reform, eradication of untouchability, and the overall welfare of the oppressed communities.Jawaharlal Nehru was a prominent leader in the Indian freedom struggle and the first Prime Minister of independent India.Jyotirao Phule founded the "Satyashodhak Samaj" in 1873. The Satyashodhak Samaj was a social reform organization established by Phule with the primary goal of challenging and addressing caste-based discrimination, social inequalities, and oppressive practices in Indian society.B. R. Ambedkar founded the "Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha" in 1924. This organization was established by Dr. Ambedkar to work for the social and economic upliftment of the Dalits and to advocate for their rights and welfare.Hence, the correct answer is “Mahatma Gandhi”.
Q9
Who among the following advocated the ideology of "oru jati, oru matam, oru daivam manushyanu" (one caste, one religion, one god for humankind)?
✓ Correct answer: b) Narayana Guru
ExplanationThe ideology of "oru jati, oru matam, oru daivam manushyanu" (one caste, one religion, one god for humankind) was advocated by Narayana Guru.Narayana Guru (1856–1928) was a prominent social reformer, philosopher, and spiritual leader from Kerala, India.He was a staunch advocate of social equality, human dignity, and religious harmony.The phrase "oru jati, oru matam, oru daivam manushyanu" embodies his vision for a unified humanity, transcending the divisions of caste and religion.He emphasized the importance of recognizing the fundamental equality of all human beings, irrespective of their caste or religious background.He strongly criticized the caste-based discrimination prevalent in society and worked towards eradicating these social inequalities.Hence the correct answer is "Narayana Guru".
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