Women, Caste and Reform (CBSE/ CLASS- 8/ HISTORY)

 

Women, Caste and Reform

(CBSE/ CLASS- 8/ HISTORY)

Question: What social ideas did the following people support?

Rammohun Roy, Dayanand Saraswati, Veerasalingam Pantulu, Jyoti Rao Phule

Pandita Ramabai, Periyar, Mumtaz Ali, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

Answer: These people supported the following ideas:

Rammohun Roy: Ban of Sati

Dayanand Saraswati: Widow Remarriage

Veerasalingam Pantulu: Widow Remarriage

Jyoti Rao Phule: Equality amongst castes

Pandita Ramabai: Women’s education

Periyar: Equality for untouchables

Mumtaz Ali: Women’s education

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Widow remarriage

 

Question: How did the knowledge of ancient texts help the reformers promote new laws?

Answer: The reformers tried to convince people that practices like widow burning, caste distinctions, child marriage, etc. had no sanction in ancient texts. Their knowledge of ancient texts gave them immense confidence and moral support which they utilized in promoting new laws1.

 

Question: What were the different reasons people had for not sending girls to school?

Answer: Many people were afraid that schools would take girls away from home, prevent them from doing their domestic duties, and have a corrupting influence on them. They also believed that girls should stay away from public spaces.

 

Question: Why were Christian missionaries attacked by many people in the country? Would some people have supported them too? If so, for what reasons?

Answer: Christian Missionaries were attacked in the country by many people because they suspected that they were involved in forced conversion and conversion using money power of poor and tribal people from Hinduism to Christianity. If some people supported them, that was because they felt this might improve the economic condition and education of the poor and tribals.

 

Question: In the British period, what new opportunities opened up for people who came from castes that were regarded as “low”?

 

Answer: With the expansion of cities, new demands of labour created. Drains had to be dug, roads laid, buildings constructed and cities cleaned. This required coolies, diggers, carriers, bricklayers, sweepers, rickshaw pullers, etc.

 

Question: What was the Satyashodhak Samaj? Who founded it?

Answer: The Satyashodhak Samaj was an association that propagated caste equality. It was founded by Jyoti Rao Phule.

 

Question: What was the aim behind Ambedkar led temples entry?

Answer: Ambedkar’s aim was to make everyone see the power of caste prejudices within society.

 

Question: What was the Brahmo Sabha known as later?

 Answer: The later known name of Brahmo Sabha was the Brahmo Samaj.

 

Question: Why were the people such as Rammohun Roy described as reformers?

Answer: They were described as reformers because they felt that the best way to ensure such changes was by persuading people to give up old practices and adopt a new way of life.

 

Question: Who amongst the reformers was the most famous and used ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry?

 Answer: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar used the ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry.

 

Question: What was criticized in the book, Stripurushtulna written by Tarabai Shinde?

Answer: The book criticized the social differences between men and women.

 

Question: What did the nationalist’s leaders promise to women?

Answer: Nationalist leaders promised that there would be full suffrage for all men and women after independence.

 

Question: For which purpose was the Paramhans Mandali founded in 1840? Answer: It was founded to work for the abolition of caste.

 

Question: Where did the number of Mahar people find jobs?

Answer: A number of Mahar people found jobs in the Mahar Regiment.

 

Question: Who wrote the book named Gulamgirit?

Answer: Jyoti Rao Phule wrote the book named Gulamgiri.

 

Question: What was the Brahmo Sabha known as later?

Answer: The later known name of Brahmo Sabha was the Brahmo Samaj.

 

Question: Why were the people such as Rammohun Roy described as reformers?

Answer: They were described as reformers because they felt that the best way to ensure such changes was by persuading people to give up old practices and adopt a new way of life.

 

Question: Who amongst the reformers was the most famous and used ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry?

Answer: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar used the ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry.

 

Question: What was criticized in the book, Stripurushtulna written by Tarabai Shinde?

Answer: The book criticized the social differences between men and women.

 

Question: What did the nationalist’s leaders promise to women?

 Answer: Nationalist leaders promised that there would be full suffrage for all men and women after independence.

 

Question: For which purpose was the Paramhans Mandali founded in 1840? Answer: It was founded to work for the abolition of caste.

 

Question: Where did the number of Mahar people find jobs?

 Answer: A number of Mahar people found jobs in the Mahar Regiment.

 

Question: Who wrote the book named Gulamgirit?

Answer: Jyotirao Phule wrote the book named Gulamgiri.

 

Question: What was the main aim of the Brahmo Samaj?

Answer: The main aim of the Brahmo Samaj was to purify Hinduism and to preach monotheism or the worship of one God.

 

Question: What was the main contribution of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar to society?

Answer: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s main contribution to society was his effort to improve the status of women. He promoted widow remarriage and women’s education.

 

Question: Who founded the Arya Samaj and what were its main principles? Answer: The Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. Its main principles were to promote the teachings of the Vedas and to uphold the principles of karma and reincarnation.

 

Question: What was the significance of the Satyashodhak Samaj?

Answer: The Satyashodhak Samaj, founded by Jyotirao Phule, was significant because it aimed to spread the message of equality among all castes.

 

Question: What were the main teachings of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy?

Answer: Periyar E. V. Ramasamy advocated for the eradication of caste and the upliftment of the lower castes. He also promoted rational thinking and self-respect.

 

Question: What was the impact of Christian missionaries in India during the British period?

 Answer: Christian missionaries played a significant role in spreading education in India. However, they were also criticized for their attempts at religious conversion.

 

Question: What changes did the British period bring for people from the lower castes?

Answer: The British period opened up new opportunities for people from lower castes. With the expansion of cities, new jobs were created which were often filled by people from lower castes.

 

Question: What was the role of women in the reform movements?

Answer: Women played a significant role in the reform movements. Many women reformers like Pandita Ramabai and Tarabai Shinde worked for the upliftment of women.

 

Question: Discuss the role of Raja Ram Mohan Roy in the social reform movement in India.

Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is considered the pioneer of modern Indian Renaissance for the remarkable reforms he brought in the 18th and 19th century India. Among his efforts, the abolition of the brutal and inhuman Sati Pratha was the most prominent. His efforts were also instrumental in eradicating the purdah system and child marriage. In 1828, Ram Mohan Roy formed the Brahmo Samaj, a group of people, who had no faith in idol-worship and were against the caste restrictions.

 

Question: Explain the contributions of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar to the upliftment of women in India.

Answer: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a key figure of the Bengal Renaissance. He was a philosopher, academic, educator, writer, translator, printer, publisher, entrepreneur, reformer, and philanthropist. His efforts to simplify and modernize Bengali prose were significant. He also rationalized and simplified the Bengali alphabet and type, which had remained unchanged since Charles Wilkins and Panchanan Karmakar had cut the first (wooden) Bengali type in 1780. He received the title “Vidyasagar” (in Sanskrit Vidya means knowledge and Sagar means ocean, i.e., Ocean of Knowledge) from Sanskrit College, Calcutta (from where he graduated), due to his excellent performance in Sanskrit studies and philosophy.

 

Question: Discuss the role of Christian missionaries in the education of women and lower castes in India.

Answer: Christian missionaries played a significant role in spreading education in India during the British period. They established schools and colleges, focusing on English and Western sciences. This opened up new opportunities for lower castes and women, who were traditionally denied education. However, they were also criticized for their attempts at religious conversion.

 

Question: Discuss the impact of the British rule on lower castes in India. Answer: The British rule brought significant changes for the lower castes in India. With the expansion of cities, new jobs were created which were often filled by people from lower castes. The British also introduced laws to prohibit discrimination and untouchability. However, the caste system remained deeply entrenched in society.

 

Question: Discuss the role of women in the reform movements of the 19th century.

Answer: Women played a significant role in the reform movements of the 19th century. Many women reformers like Pandita Ramabai and Tarabai Shinde worked for the upliftment of women. They advocated for women’s education, abolition of purdah, and widow remarriage. They also wrote and spoke against the injustices women faced in society.

 

Question: Discuss the role of Jyotirao Phule in the social reform movement in India.

 Answer: Jyotirao Phule was a prominent social reformer who dedicated his life to the upliftment of the downtrodden. He was a strong advocate for the rights of lower castes and women. He founded the Satyashodhak Samaj to spread the message of equality among all castes. He also opened schools for girls and lower caste children, which was a revolutionary step at that time.

 

Question: Explain the contributions of Swami Dayanand Saraswati to the upliftment of women in India.

 Answer: Swami Dayanand Saraswati was a significant figure in the social reform movement in India. He was the founder of the Arya Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. He advocated for the education of women, which was quite revolutionary at the time. He also supported widow remarriage and spoke against child marriage.

 

Question: Discuss the impact of the British rule on women in India.

 Answer: The British rule brought significant changes for women in India. The British introduced laws to prohibit practices like Sati and child marriage. They also promoted women’s education. However, the condition of women did not change significantly as societal norms were deeply entrenched.

 

Question: Discuss the role of Pandita Ramabai in the reform movements of the 19th century.

Answer: Pandita Ramabai was a prominent social reformer and a champion for women’s rights. She advocated for women’s education and their right to property. She also worked tirelessly for the upliftment of widows. Her work led to significant changes in the societal norms related to women.

 

Question: Discuss the impact of the reform movements on the status of women in India.

Answer: The reform movements had a significant impact on the status of women in India. They led to the abolition of practices like Sati and child marriage. They also promoted women’s education and their right to property. However, the condition of women did not change overnight and it took several decades for the changes to take effect.

 

What was sati system?

Sati, also known as suttee, was a historical practice in which a widow sacrifices herself by sitting atop her deceased husband’s funeral pyre. The name is taken from the goddess Sati, wife of Shiva, who burned herself to protest her father’s ill-treatment of her husband.

Although this practice does not have any Vedic sanction, it had become prevalent in some parts of India3. The widow was supposed to ascend to heaven and this was considered the ultimate sacrifice and proof of a woman’s devotion to her husband.

This practice was notably associated with elite Hindu Rajput clans in western India during the early-modern Mughal period of 1526–1857. However, it was opposed by many reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy who argued that the Vedas and other ancient Hindu scriptures did not sanction Sati.

The British East India Company initially tolerated the practice, but due to the efforts of reformers, the British Governor-General of India Lord William Bentinck enacted the Bengal Sati Regulation in 1829, declaring the practice of burning or burying alive of Hindu widows to be punishable by the criminal courts.

Despite the ban, isolated incidents of sati were recorded in India in the late-20th century, leading the Indian government to promulgate the Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, criminalising the aiding or glorifying of sati.

 

What was Gulamgiri?

“Gulamgiri”, meaning “Slavery”, is a book written by Mahatma Jotirao Phule in 1873. It is considered one of the first tracts against the caste system3. The book critiques the institution of caste through a 16-part essay and four poetic compositions, and it is written in the form of a dialogue between Jotirao, and a character he calls Dhondiba.

The main thrust of Mahatma Phule’s text is an inversion of the racial theory of caste. According to this theory, a superior, foreign race invaded this land. They became what we know as Brahmins today. The lowly, indigenous people who were conquered became the shudras.

Phule accepts the facticity of the theory. He says, yes Brahmins are a different race. Yes, they invaded and conquered us. But he upturns its moral logic and says the invaders were actually corrupt, cruel and depraved. Superior they were definitely not.

In order to make his point, Mahatma Phule takes it upon himself to destabilize certain Hindu myths. And he punctures them using logic.

Notably, he dedicated his book Gulamgiri to the African American movement to end slavery. This established a link between the black slaves of America and the people of lower castes in India.

 

Who was Derozio? What was his role in developing the society?

Henry Louis Vivian Derozio (1809 – 1831) was an Indian poet and educator, and a significant figure in the Bengal Renaissance. He was an assistant headmaster at Hindu College, Kolkata, and was one of the first Indian educators to disseminate Western learning and science among the young men of Bengal.

Derozio was a radical thinker of his time and encouraged his students to question all authority. He promoted radical ideas through his teaching and by organizing an association for debates and discussions on literature, philosophy, history, and science. His teachings inspired the development of the spirit of liberty, equality, and freedom. They also tried to remove social evils, improve the condition of women and peasants, and promote liberty through freedom of the press, trial by jury, and so on.

His students, who came to be known as Young Bengals, were fiery patriots. They cherished the ideals of the French Revolution and the liberal thinking of Britain. Many of them became prominent in social reform, law, and journalism. Thus, Derozio played a significant role in developing society and his legacy lived on long after his early death.

 

 

How did the knowledge of ancient texts help the reformer promote new laws?

The knowledge of ancient texts played a crucial role in helping reformers promotes new laws. This strategy was first adopted by Raja Rammohun Roy and later by other reformers.

Whenever they wished to challenge a practice that seemed harmful, they tried to find a verse or sentence in the ancient sacred texts that supported their point of view. They then suggested that the practice as it existed at present was against early tradition.

For instance, they tried to convince people that practices like widow burning, caste distinctions, child marriage, etc., had no sanction in ancient texts. Their knowledge of ancient texts gave them immense confidence and moral support, which they utilized in promoting new laws. They did not fear when people raised their voices against the reforms, they had brought.

In essence, the knowledge of ancient texts provided reformers with arguments that could be used to justify their proposed changes. They used examples from these texts to demonstrate that changes in social practices were not unprecedented. This approach helped them gain moral support and immense confidence, which they utilized in promoting new laws.

So, the knowledge of ancient texts was instrumental in helping reformers promote new laws by providing them with the necessary moral support and confidence, and by enabling them to challenge harmful practices effectively.

 

What were the different reasons people had for not sending girls to school?

There were several reasons why people refrained from sending girls to school, particularly in the past:

Domestic Duties: It was believed that schooling would prevent girls from performing their domestic duties.

Public Exposure: There was a concern that girls would have to travel through public places to reach school, which was seen as inappropriate123.

Fear of Influence: People feared that schools would take girls away from home and expose them to external influences123.

Poverty and Child Marriage: Economic constraints and social practices like child marriage also played a role in keeping girls out of school4.

Safety Concerns: The lack of safety in schools and on the way to schools was another deterrent4.

These reasons, rooted in traditional beliefs and socio-economic factors, posed significant barriers to girls’ education. However, it’s important to note that these are general trends and the specific reasons can vary widely depending on the cultural, economic, and geographical context. Efforts are being made worldwide to address these issues and promote gender equality in education.

 

Why were Christian missionaries attacked by many people in the country? Would some people have supported them too? If so, for what reason?

Christian missionaries were often met with resistance for several reasons:

Religious Interference: Many people believed that the missionaries were trying to convert people to Christianity, which was seen as an interference in their religious matters.

Cultural Disruption: Some indigenous people saw the spread of Christianity as a threat to their traditional beliefs and practices.

Fear of Change: There was a fear that the missionaries would change the religion of tribal groups and lower-caste children.

Education: The missionaries were setting up schools for tribal groups and lower-caste children, equipping them with resources to navigate a changing world.

Social Reform: Some reformers would have supported the missionaries for their work against social evils.

Economic Improvement: Some people felt that conversion might improve the economic condition of the poor and tribal people5.

 

Why did Phule dedicate his book 'Gulamgiri' to the American movement to free slave?

Jyotirao Phule dedicated his book ‘Gulamgiri’ to the American movement to free slaves because he saw a parallel between the conditions of the lower castes in India and the black slaves in America.

The American Civil War, which had ended about ten years before Phule wrote ‘Gulamgiri’, led to the abolition of slavery in America. Phule admired the Americans who had fought to end slavery and dedicated his book to them.

Through this dedication, Phule was not only acknowledging the struggle for freedom and equality in America, but also highlighting the similar plight of the lower castes in India. He used this comparison to argue against all forms of inequality and to advocate for the rights and dignity of the lower castes in India.

 

What did Ambedkar want to achieve through the temple entry movement?

B.R. Ambedkar initiated the Temple Entry Movement in the 1920s and 1930s with the aim of securing the right for Dalits, who were considered “untouchables”, to enter and worship in Hindu temples. This was seen as a significant step towards ending discrimination against Dalits and promoting social equality in India1. Here are the key objectives of the movement:

Social Equality: The primary objective was to secure the right of Dalits to enter and worship in Hindu temples, which was seen as an important step towards ending discrimination and promoting social equality.

Political Empowerment: The movement also aimed to increase political awareness and participation among the Dalit community. By organizing protests and satyagrahas, Ambedkar and his followers sought to assert their civil rights and demand equal treatment under the law.

 

The Temple Entry Movement was a significant step towards ending discrimination against Dalits and promoting social equality in India. It also played an important role in increasing political awareness and participation in the Dalit community.

 

Why were Jyoti Rao Phule and Ramaswamy Naiker critical of the national movement? Did their criticism help the national struggle in any way?

Jyoti Rao Phule and E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, also known as Periyar, were critical of the national movement for several reasons:

Upper-Caste Dominance: They believed that the national movement was dominated by upper-caste leaders and would primarily serve the interests of the upper castes.

Caste Discrimination: They observed caste-based discrimination within the movement itself, such as separate seating arrangements for upper and lower castes.

Lack of Inclusivity: They felt that the movement did not adequately address issues of caste and class oppression.

Rethinking and Self-Criticism: Their forceful speeches, writings, and movements led to rethinking and self-criticism among upper-caste nationalist leaders.

Promotion of Unity: Their criticism highlighted the need for unity across all castes in the fight against colonial rule.

Constitutional Safeguards: Their efforts contributed to the inclusion of safeguards against caste discrimination in the Indian Constitution after independence.

In essence, while Phule and Periyar were critical of the national movement, their criticism and activism played a crucial role in shaping the struggle for independence and the post-independence constitutional guarantees. They highlighted the need for a more inclusive and egalitarian society, free from caste-based discrimination.