Question : Discuss the important social reform legislation passed in the 19th century, and elucidate the reaction of Indian leaders to the measures adopted.
(2000)
Answer : Till 1813 British authorities also followed a policy of non-interference in the religious, social and cultural life of the country, but after 1813 they took active steps to transform Indian society and culture. The officials British efforts at reforming Indian society of its abuses were on the whole very meagre and, therefore bore little fruit. Their biggest achievement was the outlawing of the practice of sati in 1829 when William Bentick made it a crime ....
Question : The Arya Samaj 'did not, however, succeed in capturing the imagination of modern India as a whole'.
(1998)
The Arya Samaj undertook the task of reforming Hindu relgion in north India. It was foudned in 1875 by Swami Dayanand Saraswati (1824-83). Swami Dayanand believed that selfish and ignorant priests had perverted Hindu religion with he aid of the Puranas which, he said, were full of false teachings. For his own inspiration Swami Dayanand went to the Vedas which he regarded as infallible being the inspired word of God, and as the fount of all ....
Question : The 19th century India renaissance was both an acceptance and rejection of western values. Do you agree?
(1997)
Answer : Immence intellectual and cultural stirrings characterised 19th century India. The impact of modern Western culture and consciousness of defeat by a foreign power gave birth to a new awakening. There was an awareness that a vast country like India had been colonised by a handful of foreigners because of internal weaknesses of Indian social structure and culture. Thoughtful Indians began to look for the strengths and weaknesses of their society and for ways and means ....
Question : The religious reform movements of the 19th century were 'endeavours to recast the old religion (Hinduism) into a new form suited to meet the needs of the new society'.
(1996)
Answer : the religious reform movements fall in two broad categories: one, reformist movements like the Brahma Samaj, the Prathna Samaj and the Aligarh movements, two revivalist movements like the Arya Samaj, the Ramakrishna Mission and the Deoband Movement. Both the reformist and revivalist movement depended on a varying degree on an appeal to the lost purity of thye religion they sought of reform. The only difference between one reform movement and the other lay in the ....
Question : Trace the course and comment on the character of caste movements in South India in the 20th century. How far were their object achieved?
(1995)
Answer : The growth of the national movement played a significant role in weakening the caste system. The national movement was opposed to all those institutions which tended to divide Indian people. Common participation in Public demonstrations giant public meetings, and satyagraha struggles weakened caste consciousness. In any case those who were fighting for freedom from foreign rule in the name of liberty and equality could hardly support the caste system which was totally opposed to these ....
