Maharashtra Board Class 12 History Chapter 5 India Social and Religious Reforms Exercise Solutions

1A. Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the statement.

Question 1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy wrote an English letter against the ___________
(a) caste system
(b) child marriage
(c) practice of sati
(d) segregation of women (Purdah system)
Answer: (c) practice of sati
In simple words: Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a brave reformer who used his writings to tell the British government that the cruel practice of Sati was not part of original religious teachings and should be stopped.

📝 Teacher's Note: Use the story of Roy witnessing his sister-in-law's death to explain his emotional motivation for this reform. This helps students connect with the human element of history.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering this, ensure you mention that the letter was addressed to the British authorities, as this shows his method of constitutional protest.

Question 2. ‘Arya Samaj’ was founded by ___________
(a) Swami Vivekanand
(b) Mahatma Jotirao Phule
(c) Swami Dayanand Saraswati
(d) Ramaswamy Naikar
Answer: (c) Swami Dayanand Saraswati
In simple words: Swami Dayanand Saraswati started the Arya Samaj to encourage people to go back to the original teachings of the Vedas and move away from social evils.

📝 Teacher's Note: Compare the different reform organizations (Brahmo Samaj vs. Arya Samaj) using a Venn diagram to help students remember their distinct founders and common goals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate the slogan "Go back to the Vedas" specifically with Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Arya Samaj to avoid confusion with other missions.

1B. Find the incorrect pair from group ‘B’ and write the corrected one.

Question 1.

Answer: Incorrect Pair: Paramhamsa Sabha – Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde
Corrected Pair: Paramhamsa Sabha – Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar
In simple words: This question asks you to identify the leader who did not match their organization. The corrected answer shows that Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar was the actual founder of Paramhamsa Sabha.

📝 Teacher's Note: Remind students that Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde was actually associated with the Depressed Classes Mission, not Paramhamsa Sabha. Distinguishing founders is key for this chapter.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always rewrite both the incorrect pair and the corrected version to ensure you get full marks for the correction.

2. Write the names of historical places/persons/events.

Question 1. The title conferred on Raja Ram Mohan Roy by the Mughal Badshah-
Answer: Raja
In simple words: The Mughal Emperor gave the title 'Raja' to Ram Mohan Roy as a mark of respect and to give him official status when he went to England.

📝 Teacher's Note: Mention that he was the first Indian to travel across the sea to England to represent the Mughal Emperor's case, which was a big deal at that time.

🎯 Exam Tip: This is a one-word answer. Ensure the spelling of 'Raja' is correct and it is capitalized as it is a title.

Question 2. The one who founded ‘Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College’-
Answer: Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan
In simple words: Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan started this college to provide modern education and science to Muslim students, which later became the Aligarh Muslim University.

📝 Teacher's Note: Explain the shift from traditional to modern education that this institution represented for the Muslim community.

🎯 Exam Tip: If the question asks for the current name of the college, remember it is the Aligarh Muslim University.

Question 3. The one who participated in ‘Vykom Satyagraha’-
Answer: Ramaswamy Naikar
In simple words: Ramaswamy Naikar, also known as Periyar, fought for the rights of lower castes to walk on the roads near the temple in Vykom.

📝 Teacher's Note: Use a map to show students where Vykom (Kerala) and Erode (Tamil Nadu) are to give geographical context to Naikar's work.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ramaswamy Naikar is often referred to as 'Periyar' in exams. Be prepared to recognize both names.

Question 4. The one who made the law of free and compulsory primary education in Kolhapur Princely State-
Answer: Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj
In simple words: Shahu Maharaj was a visionary king who believed that every child, regardless of their caste, deserved to go to school for free.

📝 Teacher's Note: Highlight that Shahu Maharaj was one of the first rulers in India to implement reservations and compulsory education, making him a pioneer of social justice.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use the full title "Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj" rather than just "Shahu Maharaj" for a more formal and complete answer.

3. Write short notes.

Question 1. Prarthana Samaj.
Answer:

• Had its origins in Paramhamsa Sabha.
• Founded by Dadoba Pandurang Tarkhadkar.
• Founding members like Dr. Atmaram Pandurang, Justice M. G. Ranade, Dr. R. G. Bhandarkar opposed idol worship and emphasized monotheism.
• Opened schools for girls, orphanages, and night schools for workers.
• Focussed on gender equality, wiping outcaste discriminations, and appreciating the values of mundane life.

In simple words: The Prarthana Samaj was a group in Maharashtra that believed in one God and worked to help the poor and women by opening schools and orphanages.

📝 Teacher's Note: Explain the meaning of "mundane life" — that one doesn't need to leave the world to be religious; serving people is serving God.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mentioning the names of prominent members like Justice Ranade and Dr. Bhandarkar adds weight to your answer and helps secure higher marks.

Question 2. Satyashodhak Samaj.
Answer:

• Founded in 1873 by Mahatma Jotirao Phule in Pune.
• Cracked a whip on the social customs and practices which pushed the Indian masses into a miserable state.
• Showed a new path to artisans, workers, and other downtrodden people.
• Characteristics of Satyashodhak Samaj included monotheism, rejection of the authority of Vedas and Puranas, acceptance of rationality, opposition to the dominance of priests and idol worship, etc.
• Mahatma Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule started a school for girls.
• His work was continued by Gopalbaba Walangkar who criticized untouchability in his book ‘Vital Vidhwamsan’.
• Shivram Janba drew attention to the problems of deprived women like Murali, Jagatini, and Devdasi.

In simple words: Mahatma Phule started this "Truth-Seeker's Society" to fight against the caste system and help common workers and women get an education and live with dignity.

📝 Teacher's Note: Emphasize the revolutionary nature of rejecting priestly authority during that era to help students understand why this movement was so significant.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always mention the year (1873) and the specific book ‘Vital Vidhwamsan’ to show detailed knowledge of the topic.

4. Answer the following questions in detail.

Question 1. What were the social reforms on which Raja Ram Mohan Roy put a great emphasis?
Answer: Contribution of Raja Ram Mohan Roy:

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy was born in Bengal.
• Translated Sanskrit Upanishads into Bengali.
• He was a witness to his brother’s wife immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre and this incident made him raise his voice against this evil social custom which according to him is not mentioned in any of the religious scriptures as a prescribed social obligation.
• It was due to the efforts of Raja Ram Mohan Roy that a law was passed by the Governor-General of Bengal Lord William Bentinck abolishing Sati in 1829.
• He was also opposed to child marriage and purdah, opened an English medium school, launched the first periodical in Bengali, and also another publication in Persian.
• He started ‘Atmiya Sabha’, a philosophical discussion circle, and ‘Brahmo Samaj’ in 1828.
• He spoke in support of the anti-colonial movements in Spanish colonies in South America.
• Ram Mohan Roy laid the foundation of modernity in India.
• Organizations like Manavdharma Sabha, Paramahamsa Sabha, and Dnyanprasar Sabha were inspired by his work.

In simple words: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is called the father of modern India because he helped ban Sati, started the first English schools, and fought for women's rights and freedom of the press.

📝 Teacher's Note: Explain how his support for movements in South America shows he was a global thinker, not just focused on local issues.

🎯 Exam Tip: The abolishment of Sati in 1829 and the founding of Brahmo Samaj in 1828 are the two most important dates to include in this answer.

Question 2. Write about the contributions of the Ramkrishna Mission.
Answer: Ramkrishna Mission:

• Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramkrishna Mission in 1897.
• Focussed on serving needy people, working for people affected by famine, health care for the sick people, education for women, etc.
• It also gave a message to the Indian youth to get up, to awaken, and keep moving until the goal is achieved.

In simple words: This mission was started by Swami Vivekananda to serve humanity. They believed that helping poor and sick people is the best way to worship God.

📝 Teacher's Note: Connect the mission's work to Vivekananda's philosophy: "Service to man is service to God." This helps students understand the motive behind their social work.

🎯 Exam Tip: Quote his famous line "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached" to add impact to your answer.

Question 3. Write about the contributions of Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan.
Answer: Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan:

• Was born in 1817 in Delhi.
• Fluent in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, and English.
• Established ‘Scientific Society’ for Muslims.
• After returning from England he founded the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875 which later developed into Aligarh Muslim University.
• Started a periodical entitled ‘Mohammadan Social Reformer’.
• Worked for the propagation of modern education, science, and technology.

In simple words: He wanted the Muslim community to learn modern science and English so they could succeed in the modern world, which led him to build the Aligarh Muslim University.

📝 Teacher's Note: Mention his 'Scientific Society' to show how he tried to bridge the gap between religion and modern science by translating scientific books into Urdu.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight his role in education and the founding of the college in 1875 as these are the key historical facts examiners look for.

Question 4. Describe the contribution of Ramaswamy Naikar.
Answer: Ramaswamy Naikar:

• Born in ‘Erode’ in Tamil Nadu in 1879.
• He became a follower of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and worked for propagating the use of ‘Swadeshi’.
• He participated in the Vykom Satyagraha in Travancore against untouchability.
• Started the ‘Swabhiman Andolan’ (Self-Respect Movement) in Tamil Nadu.
• Fought against the varna system and child marriage.
• He was addressed as ‘Periyar’ or Great Soul because of his magnanimous work.
• Was a great speaker and author.
• Took a radical position on issues like women’s rights and family planning.

In simple words: Periyar was a powerful leader from South India who fought for caste equality and women's rights, and started a movement to make people feel proud of their own identity.

📝 Teacher's Note: Discuss the concept of "Self-Respect" (Swabhiman) and why it was important for marginalized communities to feel proud of their identity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mentioning his title 'Periyar' and the 'Swabhiman Andolan' is essential for scoring full marks on his contribution.

Class 12 History Chapter 5 India: Social And Religious Reforms Intext Questions And Answers

Question. Collect information about ‘Singh Sabha’ that was founded in Amritsar.
Answer: The Singh Sabha Movement was a Sikh movement that began in Punjab in the 1870s in reaction to the proselytizing activities of Christians, Hindu reform movements (Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj), and Muslims (Aligarh movement and Ahmadiyah). The movement was founded in an era when the Sikh Empire had been dissolved and annexed by the British, the Khalsa had lost its prestige, and mainstream Sikhs were rapidly converting to other religions.
The movement’s aims were to propagate the true Sikh religion and restore Sikhism to its pristine glory; to write and distribute historical and religious books of Sikhs, and to propagate Gurmukhi Punjabi through magazines and media. The movement sought to reform Sikhism and bring back into the Sikh fold the apostates who had converted to other religions; as well as to interest the influential British officials in furthering the Sikh community. At the time of its founding, the Singh Sabha policy was to avoid criticism of other religions and political matters.
In simple words: The Singh Sabha was a group started by Sikhs to protect their religion and culture from changing, and to make sure people learned the Punjabi language and Sikh history.

📝 Teacher's Note: Explain that "proselytizing" means trying to convert someone from one religion to another. This helps students understand why the Singh Sabha felt it was necessary to protect their identity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on their three main goals: restoring Sikhism, promoting the Gurmukhi language, and educating the community through books and media.

Question. Collect information with the help of the internet and teachers about these people: Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Vishnushastri Pandit, Veereshlingam Pantalu, and Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve.
Answer:
(A) Pandit Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar:

• Pandit Vidyasagar was born on 26th September 1820 in the Midnapore district of Bengal Presidency (now in West Bengal).
• A Sanskrit scholar, he joined Fort William College as the Head Pandit in the Sanskrit department in 1846.
• In 1846, he left Fort William and joined Sanskrit College as ‘Assistant Secretary’.
• In 1851, he became the principal of Sanskrit College.
• In 1854, Vidyasagar started his campaign for widow remarriage.
• Due to his efforts, the ‘Widow Remarriage Act' was passed in 1856.
• He was keen to advocate for education for women.
• He exercised his power and lobbied hard for the opening of schools for girls.
• He gave more importance to educational reforms than social reforms.
• He emphasized teaching through Mother’s tongue.
• He has enriched Bengali Education System by writing many good textbooks for students.
• Vidyasagar died in 1891 at the age of 70.

(B) Vishnushastri Pandit:

• Vishnushastri Pandit was born in a Chitpavan Brahmin family to Sanskrit scholar Krishnashastri Chiplunkar.
• Worked as a school teacher in government schools during the years 1872-1879.
• Co-founded the newspapers Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English) along with Lokmanya Tilak and Gopal Ganesh Agarkar.
• Also co-founded The New English School in Pune.
• Began his career as a writer.
• In 1874, he started the monthly ‘Nibandmala’ for which he is principally remembered.
• Translated the following works in Marathi: Rasselas by Samuel Johnson, Kadambari by Banabhatta, and The Arabian Nights.

(C) Veereshlingam Pantalu:

• Rao Bahadur Kandukuri Veereshlingam Pantalu was considered the ’Father of Renaissance movement in Telugu’.
• Born on 16th April 1848 at Rajamundry, Andhra Pradesh.
• Social reformer and writer at Madras Presidency under British rule.
• After completing his matriculation in 1869, he started working as a school teacher in a village.
• A scholar of three languages namely Telugu, Sanskrit, and English.
• He is most revered for his contribution to the reformation of Telugu society.
• Wrote extensively on the emancipation of women, advocated widow remarriage, and denounced child marriages.
• Set up schools for the education of girls and women.
• In 1887, he started a Brahmo Mandir at Rajamundry.
• In 1893, the government of India conferred the title ‘RaoBahadur’ on him.
• He passed away on 27th May 1919 aged 71.

(D) Maharshi Dhondu Keshav Karve:

• Born on 18th April 1858 at Sheravali, India, Dhondu Keshav Karve, or Maharshi Karve he was popularly known as a social reformer in India.
• Was a Professor, Activist, Writer, and Social Worker.
• Noted for supporting the education of women and for organizing associations for the marriage of Hindu widows.
• In 1893, he established the Widow Marriage Association.
• He set an example by marrying a widow after his first wife had died in 1891.
• Established an educational institution in 1896, Hindu Widows Home in Poona.
• He started Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University in 1916.
• On his 100th birthday, he was conferred India’s highest honour the ‘Bharat Ratna’.
• He died in Pune on November 9, 1962, aged 104.

In simple words: These four men were heroes who changed India. Vidyasagar helped widows remarry; Vishnushastri co-founded famous newspapers; Pantalu brought modern ideas to Telugu society; and Karve started India's first women's university.

📝 Teacher's Note: Use these biographies to show how reform movements were happening all over India (Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh) at the same time.

🎯 Exam Tip: For Karve, remember the founding of the SNDT Women’s University in 1916 as it was the first of its kind in India.

Project (Textbook Page No. 39)

Question. Collect information about the efforts for women’s education in Maharashtra with the help of the internet.
Answer: Students can use the following points as reference:

• Trace women’s education down the ages.
• Education in Maharashtra from 1818-1903.
• Pioneer of Women’s education in India - Savitribai Phule.
• Female literacy in Maharashtra today.
• Schemes for women by the Government of Maharashtra.

In simple words: This project asks you to research how girls' schools started in Maharashtra, starting from early pioneers like Savitribai Phule to the programs the government has today.

📝 Teacher's Note: Encourage students to interview older female family members about their school experiences to see how much literacy and opportunity have changed over generations.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a project, always include a special section on Savitribai Phule as she is the most important figure for women's education in Maharashtra.