Women, Caste and Reform
1. What social practice did Raja Rammohun Roy strongly oppose?
a) Child marriage
b) Widow remarriage
c) Sati
d) Polygamy
2. What was one of the major caste-based restrictions in India during the 19th century?
a) People from different castes could freely intermarry
b) Upper castes considered some jobs “polluting†and imposed restrictions
c) Lower castes were allowed in temples but not in schools
d) All castes had equal access to wells and bathing areas
3. How did the caste system affect untouchables in the 19th century?
a) They could participate in temple rituals freely
b) They were allowed to live in the same areas as upper castes
c) They faced discrimination in education, employment, and public spaces
d) They were given preferential treatment by the British
4. Who among the following worked to reform caste-based discrimination?
a) Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar
b) Rammohun Roy
c) Jyotirao Phule
d) All of the above
5. What was the name of the reform group founded by Rammohun Roy?
a) Arya Samaj
b) Prarthana Samaj
c) Brahmo Samaj
d) Veda Samaj
Answers & Explanations
1. c) Sati – Rammohun Roy campaigned against the practice of widow burning .
2. b) Upper castes considered some jobs “polluting†and imposed restrictions – Caste rules dictated social status and job roles .
3. c) They faced discrimination in education, employment, and public spaces – Untouchables were denied access to many resources .
4. d) All of the above – Many reformers worked to challenge caste-based discrimination .
5. c) Brahmo Samaj – Rammohun Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj to push for social reforms .
Working Towards Change
1. What played a major role in spreading reform ideas in the 19th century?
a) Oral traditions
b) Books, newspapers, and pamphlets
c) Word-of-mouth communication
d) British laws
2. What was the key focus of social reformers in the 19th century?
a) Encouraging traditional caste practices
b) Abolishing outdated social customs
c) Expanding British rule in India
d) Promoting European education only
3. How did Indian reformers attempt to bring about social change?
a) By staging violent revolts against the British
b) By educating people and debating social practices
c) By rejecting all aspects of Indian tradition
d) By only supporting British laws without criticism
4. Who among the following supported the education of women?
a) Jyotirao Phule
b) Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar
c) Pandita Ramabai
d) All of the above
5. What was one of the criticisms against reform movements?
a) They focused only on rural issues
b) They were led exclusively by British officials
c) Some traditionalists believed reformers were corrupting Indian culture
d) They had no impact on Indian society
Answers & Explanations
1. b) Books, newspapers, and pamphlets – Printing helped in spreading reformist ideas .
2. b) Abolishing outdated social customs – Reformers sought to end discrimination and harmful practices .
3. b) By educating people and debating social practices – Reformers used discussion and reasoning to promote change .
4. d) All of the above – Many reformers worked towards women’s education .
5. c) Some traditionalists believed reformers were corrupting Indian culture – Reformers faced opposition from conservatives .
Changing the Lives of Widows
1. Who played a key role in banning sati?
a) Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar
b) Rammohun Roy
c) Swami Vivekananda
d) B.R. Ambedkar
2. How did Rammohun Roy argue against sati?
a) He organized armed protests against it
b) He cited ancient texts to show it was not a true Hindu practice
c) He encouraged British officials to ignore the practice
d) He believed it was necessary to maintain social order
3. What law was passed in 1829 related to widows?
a) Widow remarriage was prohibited
b) The practice of sati was banned
c) Widows were required to remarry
d) British officials could not interfere in widow-related practices
4. What strategy did later reformers use to challenge harmful traditions?
a) They sought proof in ancient texts to support reforms
b) They refused to work with the British government
c) They adopted violent resistance methods
d) They completely rejected Indian culture
5. Which reformer actively promoted widow remarriage in the 19th century?
a) Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar
b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
c) Rani Lakshmibai
d) Raja Ravi Varma
Answers & Explanations
1. b) Rammohun Roy – He campaigned against the practice of sati .
2. b) He cited ancient texts to show it was not a true Hindu practice – Reformers used religious texts to justify change .
3. b) The practice of sati was banned – The British passed this law with the support of reformers .
4. a) They sought proof in ancient texts to support reforms – Reformers argued that harmful practices were not sanctioned by sacred texts .
5. a) Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar – He campaigned for widow remarriage and helped pass the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 .
