Consider the following statements: 1. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar founded the Bethune School at Calcutta with the main aim of encouraging education for women. 2. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was the first graduate of Calcutta University. 3. Keshav Chandra Sen’s campaign against Sati led to the enactment of a law to ban Sati by the Governor General. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

YESPYQ · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 1 and 2. Statement 1 is correct: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a key figure in the Bengali Renaissance, played a significant role in the development of women’s education in India. While he was associated with the Bethune School, which was founded by J.E.D. Bethune in 1849, Vidyasagar’s efforts greatly contributed to the promotion of female education in Bengal. Hence, the statement is correct in associating him with this cause. Statement 2 is correct: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was one of the early notable figures of Indian literature. The first graduate of Calcutta University was actually Bankim Chandra and he received his degree in 1858. UPSC GS Paper-I PYQs 126 Statement 3 is incorrect: While Keshav Chandra Sen was a prominent social reformer who campaigned against Sati, it was Raja Ram Mohan Roy whose efforts led to the enactment of the Bengal Sati Regulation Act of 1829, which banned the practice of Sati. The law was passed by Governor-General William Bentinck. 262

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