Oxford Solutions for ICSE Class 8 History Civics Chapter 11 Indian Renaissance Social And Religious Reformers In India

EXERCISES

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. Sati was banned by Lord William Bentinck with the support of progressive Indians like Brahmo samaj.
Answer: Brahmo samaj.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy used the Brahmo Samaj as a platform to voice his strong opposition against the practice of Sati. His persistent efforts led the British government to officially declare the practice illegal.
Teacher's Tip: Associate the word 'Banned' with 'Bentinck' and 'Brahmo' as they all start with the letter 'B'.
Exam Tip: Always underline the blank word when writing the full sentence to help the examiner spot it quickly.

2. The first Indian school for girl was established in Calcutta in 1849 by Drink water Bethune with the support of Vidyasagar.
Answer: Calcutta, Drink water Bethune, Vidyasagar.
Establishing this school was a revolutionary step because education for girls was largely neglected or discouraged at the time. Bethune and Vidyasagar believed that educating women was the key to reforming Indian society.
Teacher's Tip: Remember 'Calcutta' as the educational capital of the 19th-century Indian Renaissance.
Exam Tip: Ensure you spell 'Bethune' and 'Vidyasagar' correctly as proper names carry specific marks.

3. Vidyasagar was a great champion of widow remarriage, which was legalized by Lord Dalhousie.
Answer: Vidyasagar, Lord Dalhousie.
Vidyasagar used ancient scriptures to prove that widow remarriage was not forbidden in Hindu religion. His advocacy convinced Lord Dalhousie to pass the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act in 1856.
Teacher's Tip: Think of 'D' for Dalhousie and 'D' for Decree (law) that legalized remarriage.
Exam Tip: If a question asks for the reformer, mention Vidyasagar; if it asks for the Governor-General, mention Dalhousie.

4. The most ardent follower of Ramakrishna Paramahansa was Narendranath Datta, later known as Swami Vivekananda.
Answer: Narendranath Datta, Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda took the message of his guru, Ramakrishna, to the world through his famous speech at Chicago. He believed that serving humanity was the truest form of worshiping God.
Teacher's Tip: Remember 'Narendra' was the childhood name of Vivekananda.
Exam Tip: Use the title 'Swami' before Vivekananda for formal correctness in answers.

5. Annie Besant started the Home Rule Movement in India
Answer: Annie Besant.
Annie Besant was an Irish lady who deeply loved Indian culture and worked for India's self-rule. She wanted Indians to have the right to govern themselves within the British Empire.
Teacher's Tip: Link 'Besant' with 'Betterment' of Indian self-governance.
Exam Tip: Mention 'Home Rule' specifically when describing Annie Besant’s political contribution.

6. The Prarthana Samaj was founded by R. G Bhandarkar and Mahadev Govind Ranade.
Answer: R. G Bhandarkar, Mahadev Govind Ranade.
The Prarthana Samaj was a movement in Bombay that focused on social reforms like inter-dining and inter-marriage. It was inspired by the Brahmo Samaj and worked toward modernizing Western Indian society.
Teacher's Tip: Remember 'Prarthana' means prayer, and these leaders prayed for social equality.
Exam Tip: List both names when asked for the founders to ensure you get full marks.

B. Match the following:

A
1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
3. Dayanand Saraswati
4. Swami Vivekananda
5. Mahadev Govind Ranade
B
(a) Ramakrishna Mission
(b) Arya Samaj
(c) Prarthana Samaj
(d) ban on sati
(e) widow remarriage
Answer:
1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy - (d) ban on sati
2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar - (e) widow remarriage
3. Dayanand Saraswati - (b) Arya Samaj
4. Swami Vivekananda - (a) Ramakrishna Mission
5. Ranade - (c) Prarthana Samaj
These pairings connect each major reformer to the specific organization or social cause they are most famous for. Understanding these connections helps in visualizing the timeline of the Indian Renaissance.
Teacher's Tip: Create a mental map: Roy=Sati, Vidyasagar=Widows, Dayanand=Arya, Vivekananda=Mission.
Exam Tip: Rewrite the pairs side-by-side in the answer sheet instead of drawing messy lines.

C. Choose the correct answer:

Question 1: Swami Dayanand/Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar/Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.
Answer: Swami Dayanand founded the Arya Samaj in 1875.
Dayanand Saraswati's slogan "Back to the Vedas" was the core principle of the Arya Samaj. This organization promoted the idea of one God and opposed idol worship and caste distinctions.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that the 'Arya Samaj' was founded in the year 1875.
Exam Tip: Read all the given names carefully before selecting the correct one.

Question 2: Veeresalingam/Sri Narayan Guru/R. G Bhandarkar was referred to as the ‘Vidyasagar of South India’.
Answer: Veeresalingam was referred to as the ‘Vidyasagar of South India’.
Veeresalingam Pantulu was called this because he championed widow remarriage in the South, just as Vidyasagar did in Bengal. He was a pioneer of modern Telugu literature and social reform.
Teacher's Tip: Connect 'Veeresalingam' with 'South' to distinguish him from Bengali reformers.
Exam Tip: Always provide the full name or correctly spelled surname as provided in the options.

Question 3: Dadabhai Naoroji/Mahadev Govind Ranade/Syed Ahmed Khan was an outstanding social reformer in Parsee society.
Answer: Dadabhai Naoroji was an outstanding social reformer in Parsee society.
Dadabhai Naoroji, also known as the "Grand Old Man of India," worked to modernize the Parsi community and fought against religious orthodoxy. He helped establish organizations that focused on social awareness and education within his community.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the 'P' in Parsee and associate it with Naoroji’s community background.
Exam Tip: Do not confuse Naoroji with Muslim reformers like Syed Ahmed Khan.

Question 4: Swami Dayanand/Syed Ahmed Khan/Dadabhai Naoroji founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875.
Answer: Syed Ahmed Khan founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875.
This college was established to provide modern education to the Muslim community while maintaining their cultural identity. It eventually became the world-renowned Aligarh Muslim University.
Teacher's Tip: Connect 'Aligarh' directly with Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.
Exam Tip: Memorize the year 1875 as it is common for both Arya Samaj and Aligarh College.

Question 5: The Sikh reformers launched the Akali Movement/Aligarh Movement/Arya Samaj against the corrupt management of the gurudwaras.
Answer: The Sikh reformers launched the Akali Movement against the corrupt management of the gurudwaras.
The Akali Movement aimed to free the holy Sikh shrines from the control of corrupt hereditary priests known as Mahants. This movement led to the formation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
Teacher's Tip: 'Akali' is a term closely associated with Sikhism and religious service.
Exam Tip: Use the full name 'Akali Movement' to ensure clarity in your answer.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

Question 1: Raja Ram Mohan Roy propagated widow remarriage.
Answer: True.
Although his main focus was banning Sati, Raja Ram Mohan Roy also strongly supported the rights of widows to remarry. He believed women should lead a dignified life and not be forced into suffering after their husband's death.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Roy as a general reformer who touched many social issues including women's rights.
Exam Tip: Write the full word 'True' or 'False' rather than just 'T' or 'F'.

Question 2: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar supported Lord William Bentinck in banning sati.
Answer: False
Correct: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar supported Lord William Bentinck on Hindu widow Remarriage Act.
Vidyasagar is primarily remembered for his massive contribution to the legalization of widow remarriage in 1856. Banning Sati was the achievement of Raja Ram Mohan Roy a generation earlier.
Teacher's Tip: Distinguish between the 'Sati' reformer (Roy) and the 'Widow' reformer (Vidyasagar).
Exam Tip: When an answer is False, always provide the 'Correct' statement to get full marks.

Question 3: Dayanand Saraswati believed that the Vedas were the fountainhead of all knowledge and truth.
Answer: True.
Dayanand Saraswati emphasized going "Back to the Vedas" because he felt later religious texts were filled with superstitions. He believed the pure knowledge found in the Vedas could reform Indian society.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Vedas as the 'Foundation' for everything Dayanand taught.
Exam Tip: Ensure your handwriting for 'True' is clear and legible.

Question 4: Ramakrishna Paramahansa was a priest in the temple of Goddess Lakshmi at Calcutta.
Answer: True.
Ramakrishna was a deeply spiritual person who served as a priest at the Dakshineswar Kali Temple near Calcutta. His simple and profound teachings attracted many followers, including the young Vivekananda.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the location 'Calcutta' (now Kolkata) as his place of worship.
Exam Tip: Double-check the name of the deity mentioned in the question; he was primarily associated with the Kali temple.
*(Note: While the textbook answer provided says True, historical records usually specify the Kali Temple at Dakshineswar).*

Question 5: Swami Vivekananda believed that the regeneration of the society is the responsibility of every Indian.
Answer: True.
Vivekananda urged the youth of India to take pride in their heritage and work for the upliftment of the poor. He believed that the country could only progress if every citizen felt responsible for social change.
Teacher's Tip: 'Regeneration' means bringing new life or energy to society.
Exam Tip: Think of Vivekananda's call for "Arise, awake!" to remember his views on social responsibility.

Question 6: Jyotiba Phule was a social reformer in Maharashtra.
Answer: True.
Jyotiba Phule was a pioneer of women's education and worked tirelessly for the rights of the low-caste communities. He founded the Satyashodhak Samaj to fight against social inequalities in Maharashtra.
Teacher's Tip: Link 'Phule' with 'Maharashtra' as his primary region of work.
Exam Tip: Remember that he was one of the first to open schools for girls in Pune.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1: Mention any two evil social practices against which the Brahmo Samaj launched a relentless struggle.
Answer: The Brahmo Samaj launched a relentless struggle against the following evil social practices:
1. Sati Practice
2. Caste distinctions and untouchability
3. Child Marriage
4. Poloygamy
The Brahmo Samaj viewed these practices as barriers to the moral and social progress of India. By fighting these, they aimed to create a more rational and humane society based on the equality of all individuals.
Teacher's Tip: Remember 'Sati' and 'Caste' as the two most prominent ones.
Exam Tip: Even if the question asks for two, providing three ensures you cover all bases for full marks.

Question 2: What effect would social regeneration that took place in the 19th century have on India’s future?
Answer: Due to social regeneration there was rise of nationalism and the growth of the national movement.
As people began to reform their society, they developed a sense of unity and pride in their identity as Indians. This newfound unity eventually paved the way for the struggle for independence against British rule.
Teacher's Tip: Think of 'Social Reform' as the foundation and 'Nationalism' as the building that grew on it.
Exam Tip: Use keywords like 'Nationalism' and 'National Movement' to score high.

Question 3: Who established the Ramakrishna Mission and why?
Answer: Ramakrishna Mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda to propagate the teachings and ideals of Rama krishana Paramahansa.
The main ideas of this Mission are:
1. Selfless social service
2. Spread of education.
3. Removal of ignorance
Vivekananda wanted to put his guru's spiritual teachings into practice by helping the needy and educating the masses. The mission continues to perform social work across the globe even today.
Teacher's Tip: The 'Who' is Vivekananda and the 'Why' is to honor his guru's teachings.
Exam Tip: Mention 'Selfless social service' as the core objective of the Mission.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: The central figure of the Indian Renaissance was Raja Ram Mohan Roy - the pioneer of the Modern Age in India. In this context answer the following questions:
(a) Discuss briefly Raja Ram Mohan’s views and ideas on religious reform of Hindu society.
(b) What was the programme of the Brahmo Samaj?
(c) Explain Raja Ram Mohan’s views on education.
Answer:
(a) To reform society, it was important to first reform religion. He propagated the following religious ideas based on rationalism and the philosophy of the Vedas.
1. There is only one God who is the creator and preserver of the universe.
2. All men are children of the one god of all human beings and therefore equal.
3. It was not necessary to worship idols and perform rituals and sacrifices. God could be reached through prayer and devotion.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy condemned the domination of the priests who were responsible for misleading the people and perpetuating ritualism and socio-religious practices like sati.
He published Bengali translations of the Vedas and the Upanishads to prove that all the ancient religious texts preached monotheism.
Roy believed that true religion should appeal to reason and not just follow blind traditions. His efforts were directed at stripping away the superstitions that had clouded the original purity of Hinduism.
Teacher's Tip: Use the term 'Monotheism' to describe his belief in one God.
Exam Tip: For part (a), numbering the points makes the answer very clear for the teacher.

Question 2: With reference to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, an outstanding social and religious reformer, discuss his contribution in the following fields:
(a) Education in Sanskrit College
(b) Women’s education
(c) Widow remarriage
Answer:
(a) Education in Sanskrit College:
Vidyasagar denounced caste discrimination and as the principal of the Sanskrit College he admitted non-brahmana students. He was strongly opposed to the monopoly of the brahmanas on the study of Sanskrit and the ancient Vedic texts.
(b) Women’s education:
Vidyasagar was a staunch supporter of women’s education and helped Drink water Bethune to establish the first Indian school for girl in Calcutta in 1849. As inspector of school he opened thirty five schools for girls.
(c) Widow remarriage:
The great misery and sufferings of the Hindu widows in Bengal pained him deeply. He started a bold movement advocating the remarriage of widows. His efforts bore fruit. Lord Dalhousie passed the widow Remarriage Act in 1856. The first legal Hindu Widow Remarriage was celebrated in Calcutta in December 1857, with the support of Vidyasagar.
Vidyasagar was a practical reformer who used his official positions to enact real-world changes. His life was dedicated to making education accessible and ensuring a life of dignity for women.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Vidyasagar as the 'Protector of Widows and Women's Education'.
Exam Tip: Mention the year '1856' specifically for the Widow Remarriage Act.

Question 3: Many great humanists and social reformers propagated their ideas in an effort to arrest the stagnation of Indian society. In this context, discuss:
(a) The Arya Samaj
(b) Vivekananda’s belief and achievements
(c) The Prarthana Samaj
Answer:
(a) Swami Dayanand founded a society known as Arya Samaj in 1875. The Social reforms advocated by Arya Samaj are on the following practices
1. Caste system and untouchability
2. Child marriage
The Samaj supported and encouraged
1. Education for Women
2. Widow remarriage
(b) Swamiji proclaimed the essential unity of all religions and emphasized the importance of religious tolerance, brotherhood, peace and harmony among Indians. He condemned the caste system social and economic inequalities, superstitions and ritualism and urged Indians to act responsibly
(c) It was founded in Bombay Under the supervision of R.G. Bhandarkar and Mahadev Govind Ranade. It worked on the same lines as the Brahmo Samaj and worked for the abolition of caste system, polygamy, child marriage.
These various societies worked in different parts of India but shared the common goal of removing social evils. They all emphasized education and equality as the tools for national progress.
Teacher's Tip: Group these by region: Arya Samaj (North), Prarthana Samaj (West), Brahmo Samaj (East).
Exam Tip: Use bullet points or numbered lists to describe the works of each organization.

Question 4: Write short notes on the following:
(a) Ram Mohan Roy’s achievements in the field of education
(b) Jyotiba Phule
(c) Reforms among Parsees
Answer:
(a) Raja Mohan Roy opened an English medium school which combined traditional Indian learning with Western knowledge. He assisted David Hare, a Scottish watchmaker, to establish the Hindu College in Calcutta. He also founded the Vedanta College which offered courses of study in Indian learning and Western sciences.
(b) Jyotirao Govindrao Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, were dedicated social reformers in Maharashtra. Jyotirao was popularly known as Mahatma Phule. He challenged the superiority of the brahmanas and the authority of the scriptures. He took up the cause of the low-caste members of society. He organized Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to mobilize the low-caste members and oppressed sections of society in a movement for equality. He also pressed for the education of girls.
(c) In reform movement among the Parsees an association was set up and it started a movement against religious orthodoxy. Modern ideas and changes were introduced to elevate the position of the Parsee women. Education of woman, raising the marriageable age of girls and widow remarriage were some of the major concerns of the reforms.
Short notes allow you to summarize the core impact each figure or group had on their specific community. These reforms collectively helped transform India from a traditional society into a more modern one.
Teacher's Tip: For short notes, focus on 'Who', 'Where', and 'Main Achievement'.
Exam Tip: Mention 'Satyashodhak Samaj' when writing about Jyotiba Phule to show deep knowledge.

Question 5: With reference to the reform movements in various parts of India, discuss:
(a) Reform movement in South India
(b) The Aligarh Movement
(c) Reforms among the Sikhs
Answer:
(a) Veeresalingam, a prominent social reformer in South India, was deeply disturbed by the deplorable condition of Women in general and widow remarriage and education for women in particular. Sri Narayan Guru carried on a lifelong struggle against the caste system. His crusade was based on the principle of one caste, one religion, one god for mankind.
(b) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan started a reform movement called the Aligarh Movement. He had a significant role in awakening the Muslims to the need to change with the times. He believed that only through Western education and knowledge of English, the Muslim community could progress and scientific temper be developed. His greatest achievement was the foundation of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875. This College later on grew into the Aligarh Muslim University.
(c) The Singh Sabha was set up in Amritsar and Lahore for the religious and social reforms among Sikhs. It set up the Khalsa college in Amritsar and opened many schools and promoted the Gurumukhi script and Punjabi literature.
These movements ensured that every religious and regional community in India was touched by the spirit of reform. By modernizing their own traditions, these communities prepared themselves for the challenges of the modern world.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the specific institutions: Khalsa College for Sikhs and Aligarh College for Muslims.
Exam Tip: Divide your answer into three clear sections (a), (b), and (c) to match the question structure.

G. Picture Study

This is the painting of the Indian social reformer considered to be the ‘Father of Indian Renaissance.’

Question 1: Name the person portrayed in the picture.
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy is depicted here as a dignified figure who bridge the gap between East and West. His clothing and posture often reflect his status as a learned scholar and a modern leader.
Teacher's Tip: He is always called the 'Father of Indian Renaissance'.
Exam Tip: Double-check the spelling of 'Renaissance' as it is a common spelling mistake.

Question 2: What were his views on religion?
Answer: A comparative study of the Vedas, the Koran and the Bible (The Old Testament and New Testament) convinced Raja Ram Mohan Roy about the basic unity in the fundamental truths of all religions. According to him religion was central to an individual’s life. Every aspect of social life revolved around religious beliefs. He propagated the religious ideas based on the philosophy of the Vedas.
1. There is only one God who is the creator and preserver of the universe/monotheism)
2. All men are children of the ‘one God of all human beings’ and therefore equal (brotherhood of man)
3. It was not necessary to worship, idols and perform rituals and sacrifices. God could be reached through prayer and devotion.
Roy believed that if you study the core of all religions, you will find they all teach the same basic moral values. He wanted to remove the barriers that divided people based on ritualistic religious differences.
Teacher's Tip: Use the phrase 'Universal Brotherhood' to describe his religious goal.
Exam Tip: Mention the three different holy books he studied to show his depth of knowledge.

Question 3: Name the society established by him in 1828.
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy founded a society called the Sabha Brahmo (1828) which later became Brahmo Samaj.
This society was the first major organization of its kind dedicated to social and religious reform in India. It served as the starting point for the entire movement of the Indian Renaissance.
Teacher's Tip: Remember '1828' as the year the 'Brahmo' movement began.
Exam Tip: Provide both the original name (Brahmo Sabha) and the later name (Brahmo Samaj).

Question 4: Mention the social practices against which this society launched a relentless struggle.
Answer: Brahmo Samaj launched a relentless struggle against the following social practices: Sati. Caste distinctions and untouchability. Child marriage Polygamy.
The Samaj worked through lectures, journals, and petitions to the government to bring awareness to these issues. They believed that these practices were not supported by ancient Indian scriptures and were harmful to modern progress.
Teacher's Tip: These practices are the 'Big Four' social evils fought by the Brahmo Samaj.
Exam Tip: List the practices clearly, separated by commas or on new lines.

Question 5: Mention two important social reforms supported by this society.
Answer: Education of Women, Widow Remarriage.
By supporting these two reforms, the Brahmo Samaj aimed to empower women and give them a better status in the family and society. They saw education as the primary tool for women's liberation.
Teacher's Tip: Think of these as 'Positive' reforms compared to the 'Banning' of evil practices.
Exam Tip: Only mention two if the question specifically asks for two.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1: How did Ram Mohan Roy propagate his ideas?
Answer: Ram Mohan Roy did not however believe in blindly aping the - west, north did he believe in blindly relying on India’s own past. The ideal situation would be to balance the best of the East and the West and reconstruct society accordingly.
He used newspapers and books to spread his message and debated with scholars to prove his points. His approach was balanced, taking scientific knowledge from the West and spiritual wisdom from the East.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Roy as a 'Bridge' between two worlds (East and West).
Exam Tip: Use the words 'Balance' and 'Reconstruct' to explain his strategy effectively.