Selina Concise Solutions for ICSE Class 8 History Civics Chapter 9 Great Reformers and Reform Movements

I. Fill in the blanks:

Question 1. The impact of western education led to a _________ in India.
Answer: great awakening
In simple words: Learning from Western countries helped people in India start thinking in new and modern ways.

Exam Tip: Remember that "great awakening" refers to the social and intellectual restart in India due to modern ideas.

Question 2. It was due to Raja Rammohan Roy’s efforts that _________, the Governor General of India, banned _________.
Answer: Lord William Bentinck, Sati in 1829
In simple words: Raja Rammohan Roy worked hard to stop the cruel practice of Sati, and the British ruler Lord Bentinck officially banned it.

Exam Tip: Always associate the year 1829 and Lord William Bentinck with the abolition of Sati.

Question 3. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar made a remarkable contribution to the _________ and _________.
Answer: education of girls, uplift of women
In simple words: Vidyasagar helped start schools for girls and worked to make the lives of women much better.

Exam Tip: Key contributions of Vidyasagar include girls' education and advocating for widow remarriage.

Question 4. Ramakrishna Paramhansa believed that all religions were just _________ to reach one goal _________ or _________.
Answer: different paths, salvation, realisation of God
In simple words: He believed that all religions are just different ways to reach the same God.

Exam Tip: Use terms like "different paths" and "realisation of God" to explain Ramakrishna's core teachings.

Question 5. Swami Vivekananda wanted people of India to be _________ and self-reliant.
Answer: fearless, self confident
In simple words: Vivekananda wanted Indians to believe in themselves and be brave.

Exam Tip: Vivekananda emphasized building strength, courage, and self-belief among the youth.

Question 6. Swami Dayanand’s slogan was _________.
Answer: back to the Vedas
In simple words: Swami Dayanand wanted people to go back to the pure teachings of the ancient Vedas.

Exam Tip: "Back to the Vedas" is the most famous slogan of Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj.

Question 7. _________ founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875.
Answer: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
In simple words: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan started a college in Aligarh to teach modern subjects to Muslims.

Exam Tip: This college later became the Aligarh Muslim University, so memorize the founder's name and the year 1875.

Question 8. _________ was given the title of Mahatma for his work for uplift of the oppressed classes.
Answer: Jyotiba Phule
In simple words: Jyotiba Phule was called "Mahatma" because he worked tirelessly to help poor and lower-class people.

Exam Tip: Note that Jyotiba Phule was given the title "Mahatma" long before Gandhiji, specifically for his work with low-caste communities.

II. Match the contents of Column A and Column B:

Question 1. Match the items of Column A with the correct choices in Column B:

Answer:
The correct matching pairs are as follows:
1. Brahmo Samaj - (f) Raja Rammohan Roy
2. Prarthana Samaj - (c) Mahadev Govind Ranade
3. Young Bengal Movement - (i) Henry Vivian Derozio
4. Ramakrishna Mission - (g) Swami Vivekananda
5. Arya Samaj - (j) Swami Dayanand Saraswati
6. Theosophical Society - (h) Mrs Annie Besant
7. Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College - (a) Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
8. Raja Mundhari Social Reform Association - (b) Kundukuri Veeresalingam
9. Veda Samaj - (e) Chembai Sridharan Naidu
10. Shri Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam - (d) Narayana Guru
In simple words: This list connects each reform group or college with the famous person who started or led it.
Exam Tip: Memorize the founders of key reform movements like Brahmo Samaj (Raja Rammohan Roy) and Arya Samaj (Dayanand Saraswati) as they are frequently asked.

III. State whether the following statements are True or False:

Question 1. The reform movements took place in Bengal only.
Answer: False
In simple words: Although many movements started in Bengal, social reforms also happened in other parts of India like Maharashtra, Punjab, and South India.

Exam Tip: Remember that reform movements were active all over India, not just in one state.

Question 2. Raja Rammohan Roy’s religious beliefs were based on the Bible.
Answer: False
In simple words: His beliefs were based on the Vedas and Upanishads, though he respected and studied all holy books.

Exam Tip: Raja Rammohan Roy focused on the monotheism found in ancient Hindu texts rather than following any single Western scripture.

Question 3. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, as Principal of the Sanskrit College, allowed lower castes to join his college.
Answer: True
In simple words: He broke the old rules that stopped lower-caste students from studying sacred Sanskrit books.

Exam Tip: Vidyasagar's action of opening Sanskrit College to non-Brahmin students was a major step against caste bias.

Question 4. Mahadev Govind Ranade advocated worship of Supreme God and condemned the rigidity of the caste system.
Answer: True
In simple words: Ranade believed in one almighty God and spoke out against unfair caste rules.

Exam Tip: Ranade's work through the Prarthana Samaj was centered on monotheism and social equality.

Question 5. Swami Vivekananda attended the Parliament of Religions held at New York in 1980.
Answer: False
In simple words: This event took place in Chicago in the year 1893, not New York in 1980.

Exam Tip: Note the correct details: Swami Vivekananda attended the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893.

Question 6. The Singh Sabhas founded at Lahore and Amritsar were the first to start a reform movement among the Sikhs.
Answer: True
In simple words: These groups started the very first organized effort to bring reforms and education to the Sikh community.

Exam Tip: Amritsar and Lahore were the primary hubs for Sikh educational and religious reforms in the late 19th century.

IV. Answer the following questions:

Question 1. What were the main aims of the reformers of the nineteenth century in India? Describe the reforms initiated by Raja Rammohan Roy.
Answer: The arrival of Western ideas created a new awareness in India. Many reformers wanted to change society and improve Hindu religious practices. These movements helped make the country more modern.
Raja Rammohan Roy worked hard to stop Sati. Because of him, Sati was banned in 1829 by Lord William Bentinck. He also fought for the rights of women. He stood against child marriage and having multiple wives. He supported widow remarriage and wanted women to have a share in family property.
He believed in Western education as well. He built the Vedanta College to teach both Western science and Indian subjects. He spoke against worshipping idols and the caste system. He only taught the worship of one single God.
In simple words: Reformers in India wanted to end bad customs and update people's thinking. Raja Rammohan Roy helped ban Sati, supported women's rights and education, and believed in worshipping one God.

Exam Tip: When writing about Raja Rammohan Roy, make sure to mention Sati abolition (1829), his fight for women's rights, and Vedanta College.

Additional Questions

A. Fill in the blanks:

Question 1. Sati was banned by Lord William Bentinck with the support of progressive Indians like _________.
Answer: Brahmo Samaj
In simple words: Lord Bentinck stopped the practice of Sati with the help of Indian groups like the Brahmo Samaj.

Exam Tip: The Brahmo Samaj, led by Raja Rammohan Roy, played a key role in getting Sati banned.

Question 2. The first Indian school for girl was established in _________ in 1849 by _________ with the support of _________.
Answer: Calcutta, Drinkwater Bethune, Vidyasagar
In simple words: In 1849, Drinkwater Bethune and Vidyasagar started the first school for girls in Calcutta.

Exam Tip: Remember the year 1849, Calcutta, and the role of Drinkwater Bethune and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in early girls' education.

Question 3. Vidyasagar was a great champion of widow remarriage, which was legalized by Lord _________.
Answer: Dalhousie
In simple words: Lord Dalhousie passed the law that allowed widows to marry again, thanks to Vidyasagar's efforts.

Exam Tip: The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act was passed in 1856 during the tenure of Lord Dalhousie.

Question 4. The most ardent follower of Ramakrishna Paramahansa was _________, later known as _________.
Answer: Narendranath Datta, Swami Vivekananda
In simple words: Narendranath Datta was the original name of Swami Vivekananda, who followed Ramakrishna Paramahansa.

Exam Tip: Remember that Swami Vivekananda's original, pre-monastic name was Narendranath Datta.

Question 5. _________ started the Home Rule Movement in India.
Answer: Annie Besant
In simple words: Annie Besant was a British woman who led the Home Rule Movement to help India demand self-government.

Exam Tip: Annie Besant is famous for starting the Home Rule League in India to promote self-rule.

Question 6. The Prarthana Samaj was founded by _________ and _________.
Answer: R. G. Bhandarkar, Mahadev Govind Ranade
In simple words: These two leaders set up the Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra to bring social changes.

Exam Tip: Bhandarkar and Ranade are the key figures behind the expansion and success of the Prarthana Samaj.

B. Match the following:

Question 1. Match the items of Column A with the correct choices in Column B:

Answer:
The correct matching pairs are as follows:
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. Mahadev Govind Ranade - (c) Prarthana Samaj
In simple words: This table links each leader with the main reform or group they are known for.
Exam Tip: Knowing the key work of each reformer helps you answer multiple-choice and short-answer questions quickly.

C. Choose the correct answer:

Question 1. Who founded the Arya Samaj in 1875?
(a) Swami Dayanand
(b) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
(c) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Answer: (a) Swami Dayanand
In simple words: Swami Dayanand started the Arya Samaj to bring reforms based on Vedic teachings.

Exam Tip: Remember both the founder (Swami Dayanand) and the year of establishment (1875) for the Arya Samaj.

Question 2. Who was referred to as the 'Vidyasagar of South India'?
(a) Veeresalingam
(b) Sri Narayan Guru
(c) R. G. Bhandarkar
Answer: (a) Veeresalingam
In simple words: Veeresalingam was given this name because he worked for widow remarriage in South India just like Vidyasagar did in the North.

Exam Tip: Veeresalingam is celebrated as the pioneer of modern Telugu social reform, especially for women's upliftment.

Question 3. Who was an outstanding social reformer in Parsee society?
(a) Dadabhai Naoroji
(b) Mahadev Govind Ranade
(c) Syed Ahmed Khan
Answer: (a) Dadabhai Naoroji
In simple words: Dadabhai Naoroji helped lead movements to reform and educate the Parsi community.

Exam Tip: Remember Dadabhai Naoroji's contribution to the Parsi reform movement, along with his national political role.

Question 4. Who founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh in 1875?
(a) Swami Dayanand
(b) Syed Ahmed Khan
(c) Dadabhai Naoroji
Answer: (b) Syed Ahmed Khan
In simple words: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan established this college to bring modern education to the Muslim community.

Exam Tip: Keep in mind that this college later transformed into the Aligarh Muslim University.

Question 5. The Sikh reformers launched which movement against the corrupt management of the gurudwaras?
(a) Akali Movement
(b) Aligarh Movement
(c) Arya Samaj
Answer: (a) Akali Movement
In simple words: The Akali Movement was started by Sikh reformers to clean up and take back control of their holy places.

Exam Tip: The Akali Movement succeeded in bringing Sikh shrines under the democratic control of the SGPC.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

Question 1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy propagated widow remarriage.
Answer: True
In simple words: Raja Ram Mohan Roy strongly supported the idea of allowing widows to marry again.

Exam Tip: Although Vidyasagar is most famous for the Widow Remarriage Act, Raja Ram Mohan Roy also spoke in favor of it early on.

Question 2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar supported Lord William Bentinck to banning sati.
Answer: False
In simple words: This statement is false because it was Raja Ram Mohan Roy who helped Lord Bentinck ban Sati. Vidyasagar is famous for his work on the Widow Remarriage Act.

Exam Tip: Be careful not to mix up the two reformers: Roy worked on the Sati ban (1829), while Vidyasagar worked on widow remarriage (1856).

Question 3. Dayanand Saraswati believed that the Vedas were the fountainhead of all knowledge and truth.
Answer: True
In simple words: He believed that the Vedas contained the absolute truth and all necessary knowledge.

Exam Tip: This belief is the main reason why Dayanand Saraswati gave the famous slogan "Back to the Vedas."

Question 4. Ramakrishna Paramahansa was a priest in the temple of Goddess Lakshmi at Calcutta.
Answer: True
In simple words: He served as a temple priest in Calcutta, dedicating his life to spiritual prayer and worship.

Exam Tip: Ramakrishna was the priest at Dakshineswar, which is highly famous in modern spiritual history.

Question 5. Swami Vivekananda believed that the regeneration of the society is the responsibility of every Indian.
Answer: True
In simple words: Vivekananda taught that every single Indian must work to help build a better and stronger nation.

Exam Tip: Vivekananda emphasized collective responsibility and social service for national awakening.

Question 6. Jyotiba Phule was a social reformer in Maharashtra.
Answer: True
In simple words: Jyotiba Phule lived and worked in Maharashtra to help people from lower castes get education and equality.

Exam Tip: Note Maharashtra as the main region of social work for Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule.

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 fought hard to end several harmful customs. Two of these bad practices were:
1. The practice of Sati
2. Unfair caste divisions and untouchability
In simple words: The Brahmo Samaj worked to stop the burning of widows (Sati) and get rid of the caste system.

Exam Tip: When asked for "any two," always list the most prominent ones like Sati and the caste system first.

Question 2. What effect would the social regeneration that took place in the 19th century have on India’s future?
Answer: This social awakening led to a growing sense of love for the country. It also helped start and grow the Indian national movement.
In simple words: The social reforms made people feel proud of their country, which helped India fight for freedom later.

Exam Tip: Remember that social reforms laid the foundation for political awakening and the Indian freedom struggle.

Question 3. Who established the Ramakrishna Mission and why?
Answer: Swami Vivekananda started the Ramakrishna Mission. He wanted to spread the teachings of his guru, Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The key goals of this group are:
1. Serving others without selfishness
2. Spreading education
3. Removing ignorance
4. Fighting against social differences
In simple words: Swami Vivekananda started this mission to share his teacher's ideas and help poor and needy people.

Exam Tip: Clearly state Swami Vivekananda as the founder and selfless service as the core principle of the mission.

Question 4. Mention any two social reforms advocated by Syed Ahmed Khan.
Answer: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan worked hard to improve the lives of women. He supported education for women and was against having multiple wives.
In simple words: He wanted women to get a proper education and spoke out against polygamy.

Exam Tip: Remember his focus on women's education and modern scientific learning for social reform.

Question 5. Why was the Singh Sabha set up in Punjab?
Answer: The Singh Sabha was established in Amritsar and Lahore. It aimed to bring social and religious reforms to the Sikh community.
In simple words: This group was started to educate Sikh people and improve their religious practices.

Exam Tip: Name Amritsar and Lahore as the main centers where the Singh Sabha was formed.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1. The central figure in the Indian Renaissance was Raja Ram Mohan Roy - the pioneer of the Modern Age in India. In this context answer the following questions:
1. Discuss briefly Raja Ram Mohan’s views and ideas on religious reform within Hindu society.
2. What was the programme of the Brahmo Samaj?
3. Explain Raja Ram Mohan’s views on education.
Answer:
1. Religious Reforms:
To improve society, he believed that religious reforms had to come first. He shared key religious ideas based on logic and the Vedas:
- There is only one single God who created and looks after the universe.
- Everyone is equal as we are all children of the same God.
- Worshipping idols, performing rituals, and offering sacrifices are not needed. One can reach God through sincere prayer and love.
He spoke out against priests who misled people and kept bad customs like Sati alive. He translated the Vedas and Upanishads into Bengali to show that ancient texts also taught the belief in one God.

2. Programme of the Brahmo Samaj:
The Brahmo Samaj fought strongly against several bad social customs:
- Sati practice
- Caste differences and treating people as untouchable
- Child marriage
- Having multiple wives (polygamy)
The group also supported:
- Schooling for women
- Allowing widows to marry again

3. Views on Education:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a strong supporter of modern Western learning. He believed it would help spread new ideas and bring fast progress to society. He felt that India's growth depended on adopting Western science, logic, and human values.
In simple words: Raja Ram Mohan Roy wanted to clean up religion by teaching that there is only one God. His group, the Brahmo Samaj, fought child marriage and Sati while supporting girls' schools. He also wanted Indians to learn Western science and reasoning.

Exam Tip: Divide your answer into three distinct parts as asked in the question, using headings for each part to make it easy for the examiner to grade.

Question 2. With reference to Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, an outstanding social and religious reformer, discuss his contribution in the following fields:
1. Education in Sanskrit College
2. Women’s education
3. Widow remarriage
Answer:
1. Sanskrit College:
Vidyasagar spoke out against caste bias. When he became the head of the Sanskrit College, he allowed non-Brahmin students to join. He was against the rule that only Brahmins could read Sanskrit and holy scriptures.

2. Women’s Education:
He believed girls must go to school. He helped Drinkwater Bethune open the very first girls' school in Calcutta in 1849. He also set up thirty-five schools for girls while working as a school inspector.

3. Widow Remarriage:
The sad lives of Hindu widows in Bengal made him very sad. He began a strong campaign to let widows remarry. This helped pass the Widow Remarriage Act in 1856 under Lord Dalhousie. The first legal marriage of a widow took place in Calcutta in December 1857 with his support.
In simple words: Vidyasagar let lower-caste students study Sanskrit. He helped build schools for girls and successfully fought for a law that allowed widows to marry again.

Exam Tip: Remember key details: Sanskrit College, 1849 (Bethune school), and the 1856 Widow Remarriage Act under Lord Dalhousie.

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) The Arya Samaj:
Swami Dayanand started the Arya Samaj in 1875. This group fought against:
- The caste system and treating people as untouchables
- Child marriage
The group also supported:
- Schooling for women
- Widow remarriage

(b) Vivekananda’s Beliefs and Achievements:
Swami Vivekananda taught that all religions teach the same core truths. He talked about peace, brotherly love, and respecting other faiths. He spoke against the caste system, unfair social rules, and superstitious beliefs. He encouraged Indians to be active and responsible.

(c) The Prarthana Samaj:
This society was started in Bombay by R. G. Bhandarkar and Mahadev Govind Ranade. It followed similar goals as the Brahmo Samaj. It worked to end the caste system, child marriage, and having multiple wives.
In simple words: These three groups worked to clean up Indian society. They wanted to educate girls, help widows, stop child marriage, and bring people together regardless of caste.

Exam Tip: Be ready to compare different reform movements, as many of them had similar goals like helping women and ending caste bias.

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) Ram Mohan Roy's Achievements in Education:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy started an English-medium school. This school taught both Indian and Western subjects. He helped a Scottish watchmaker named David Hare set up the Hindu College in Calcutta. He also built the Vedanta College to offer classes in Indian thought and Western sciences.

(b) Jyotiba Phule:
Jyotirao Govindrao Phule and his wife, Savitribai Phule, worked to reform society in Maharashtra. Jyotirao was known as Mahatma Phule. He spoke against the power of Brahmins and old scriptures. He helped people from lower castes. In 1873, he started the Satyashodhak Samaj to help poor and lower-caste groups fight for equality. He also supported schools for girls.

(c) Reforms among Parsees:
A special group was started to bring reforms to the Parsi community. They fought against old-fashioned religious ideas. They worked to improve the life of Parsi women. They focused on girls' education, raising the marriage age, and allowing widows to marry again.
In simple words: Raja Ram Mohan Roy opened modern schools. Jyotiba Phule fought for lower-caste rights and girls' education in Maharashtra. Parsi reformers worked to educate girls and stop child marriage.

Exam Tip: For short notes, remember names of organizations founded, such as Satyashodhak Samaj by Jyotiba Phule, and key institutions like Vedanta College by Roy.

Question 5. With reference to the reform movements in various parts of India, discuss:
1. Reform movement in South India
2. The Aligarh Movement
3. Reforms among the Sikhs
Answer:
1. South India:
Veeresalingam was a major reformer in South India. He was sad to see the poor lives of women. He worked hard to help widows remarry and supported education for girls. Sri Narayana Guru also fought against the caste system. He believed in the rule: "one caste, one religion, and one God for all people."

2. Aligarh Movement:
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan started this movement. He wanted to help Muslims learn modern ideas. He believed that learning English and science was the only way for the community to grow. His main achievement was starting the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875, which later became the Aligarh Muslim University.

3. Reforms among Sikhs:
The Singh Sabha was started in Amritsar and Lahore to reform the Sikh community. They built the Khalsa College in Amritsar, opened several schools, and encouraged people to read Gurumukhi and Punjabi books.
In simple words: Reforms spread everywhere. In the South, leaders fought the caste system and helped women. The Aligarh movement brought English education to Muslims. The Singh Sabha set up schools and colleges for Sikhs.

Exam Tip: For regional movements, remember the key figures: Veeresalingam in South India, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan for the Aligarh Movement, and the Singh Sabha for Sikh reforms.

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.
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy
In simple words: The person shown in the picture is Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

Exam Tip: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is globally known as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance" due to his pioneering efforts.

Question 2. What were his views on religion?
Answer: After studying the Vedas, the Koran, and the Bible, Raja Ram Mohan Roy believed that all religions teach the same core truths. He felt that religion plays a main role in a person's life and shapes society. He shared these key religious ideas from the Vedas:
1. There is only one God who created and looks after the world.
2. All humans are equal because we are all children of the same God.
3. Worshipping idols, performing complex rituals, and making sacrifices are not needed. We can connect with God through love and prayer.
In simple words: He believed that all religions are united in their basic truths, there is only one God, and we do not need to worship idols or perform rituals.

Exam Tip: Be sure to list his three main ideas: belief in one God, equality of all humans, and opposition to idol worship and rituals.

Question 3. Name the society established by him in 1828.
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy established a society called the Brahmo Sabha in 1828. It was later renamed the Brahmo Samaj.
In simple words: In 1828, he started the Brahmo Sabha, which later became famous as the Brahmo Samaj.

Exam Tip: Memorize the year 1828 and the transition from Brahmo Sabha to Brahmo Samaj.

Question 4. Mention the social practices against which this society- launched a relentless struggle.
Answer: The Brahmo Samaj fought hard against several bad customs, including:
- Sati practice
- Caste divisions and untouchability
- Child marriage
- Having multiple wives (polygamy)
In simple words: This group struggled to end Sati, child marriage, polygamy, and unfair caste differences.

Exam Tip: Always specify "Sati" and "caste distinction" as they were the prime social evils targeted by the Brahmo Samaj.

Question 5. Mention two important social reforms supported by this society.
Answer: The society strongly supported education for women and allowing widows to marry again.
In simple words: This group helped start schools for girls and worked to let widows remarry.

Exam Tip: Female literacy and widow remarriage are the two most crucial positive reforms backed by the Brahmo Samaj.