Socio-Religious Reform Movements MCQ: Arya Samaj & Widow Remarriage Reforms

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who was the founder of Arya Samaj?

   • A.Swami Vivekananda
   • B.Raja Ram Mohan Roy
   • C.Swami Dayanand Saraswati✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Gopal Krishna Gokhale

   Explanation: Mulshankar or Dayanand Saraswati founded ‘Arya Samaj’ in 1875.

2. Q2.Where was the Arya Samaj founded in 1875?

   • A.Lahore
   • B.Bombay✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Calcutta
   • D.Delhi

   Explanation: In 1875, Dayanand Saraswati founded ‘Arya Samaj’ in Bombay. In 1877, its headquarter was shifted to Lahore.

3. Q3.Who gave the slogan "Back to the Vedas"?

   • A.Raja Ram Mohan Roy
   • B.Swami Vivekananda
   • C.Swami Dayanand Saraswati✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ramakrishna Paramhansa

   Explanation: Dayananda’s slogan of “Back to the Vedas” was a call for a revival of Vedic learning and purity of religion.

4. Q4.Who is known as "Martin Luther King of India"?

   • A.Raja Ram Mohan Roy
   • B.Swami Dayanand Saraswati✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Swami Vivekananda
   • D.Dadabhai Naoroji

   Explanation: Swami Dayanand Saraswati is also called as “Martin Luther King of India” for his efforts in religious reforms.

5. Q5.The famous book 'Satyartha Prakash' was written by:

   • A.Raja Ram Mohan Roy
   • B.Swami Dayanand Saraswati✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Swami Vivekananda
   • D.Keshav Chandra Sen

   Explanation: Swami Dayanand Saraswati's views are inscribed in his famous book Satyartha Prakash.

6. Q6.Who founded the 'Prarthana Samaj' in 1867?

   • A.M.G. Ranade
   • B.Atmaram Pandurang✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Keshav Chandra Sen
   • D.Jyotiba Phule

   Explanation: After getting inspired from Acharya Keshav Chandra Sen, Atmaram Pandurang founded Prarthana Samaj in 1867. Mahadev Govind Ranade joined this organization in 1869.

7. Q7.Who is known as the "Precursor of cultural Renaissance of Western India"?

   • A.Gopal Krishna Gokhale
   • B.Bal Gangadhar Tilak
   • C.Mahadev Govind Ranade✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Gopal Hari Deshmukh

   Explanation: Mahadev Govind Ranade is also called as “Precursor of cultural Renaissance of Western India”. He joined Prarthana Samaj in 1869.

8. Q8.Who founded the 'Satya Sodhak Samaj' in 1873?

   • A.B.R. Ambedkar
   • B.Jyotiba Phule✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Gopal Baba Walangkar
   • D.Shiv Narayan Agnihotri

   Explanation: Jyotiba Phule founded Satya Sodhak Samaj in 1873. He was born to a gardener family in 1827.

9. Q9.Which famous book was written by Jyotiba Phule in 1872?

   • A.Satyartha Prakash
   • B.Ghulamgiri✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Gita Rahasya
   • D.Anandmath

   Explanation: With his book Ghulamgiri (1872) and his Samaj, Jyotiba Phule criticised the opportunistic Vedas of the Brahmans and called for the protection of lower castes.

10. Q10.Who founded the 'Dev Samaj' at Lahore in 1887?

    • A.Shiv Narayan Agnihotri✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Lala Lajpat Rai
    • C.Swami Shraddhanand
    • D.Munshiram

    Explanation: Shiv Narayan Agnihotri founded ‘Dev Samaj’ at Lahore in 1887. The preaching of this Samaj is mentioned in a book, Dev Shashtra.

11. Q11.Who founded the 'Dharma Sabha' in 1830 to support orthodox elements?

    • A.Raja Ram Mohan Roy
    • B.Radhakant Dev✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Devendranath Tagore
    • D.Keshav Chandra Sen

    Explanation: Radhakant Dev opposed Socio-Religious reforms and supported orthodox elements by founding Dharma Sabha in 1830 at Bengal.

12. Q12.Who founded the 'Radhaswami Satsang' movement in 1861?

    • A.Tulsi Ram✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Shiv Narayan Agnihotri
    • C.Swami Dayanand
    • D.Ramakrishna Paramhansa

    Explanation: Radhaswami Satsang movement was founded in 1861 by a banker of Agra, Tulsi Ram, who was also known as Shivdayal Sahab or Swamiji Maharaj.

13. Q13.Which social reformer of Maharashtra was famous as 'Lokahitwadi'?

    • A.M.G. Ranade
    • B.Gopal Hari Deshmukh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jyotiba Phule
    • D.B.G. Tilak

    Explanation: Social reformer of Maharashtra Gopal Hari Deshmukh (1823-92) was famous as Lokahitwadi.

14. Q14.Who led the first widow remarriage movement in Maharashtra and founded the Widow Remarriage Association in 1850?

    • A.Vishnu Parshuram Pandit✓ Correct Answer
    • B.M.G. Ranade
    • C.D.K. Karve
    • D.Gopal Hari Deshmukh

    Explanation: Vishnu Parshuram Pandit led the first widow remarriage movement in Maharashtra. In 1850, he founded the Widow Remarriage Association.

15. Q15.The 'Age of Consent Act, 1891' was passed primarily due to the efforts of:

    • A.Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
    • B.B.M. Malabari✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Keshav Chandra Sen
    • D.Raja Ram Mohan Roy

    Explanation: Bahramji M. Malabari, a Parsi social reformer born in Baroda, made efforts through which The Age of Consent Act, 1891 was passed.

16. Q16.Who founded the 'Indian National Social Conference' in 1887?

    • A.M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Gokhale and Tilak
    • C.Annie Besant and Olcott
    • D.Dayanand Saraswati and Shraddhanand

    Explanation: M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao in 1887 founded Indian National Social Conference. Its aim was to abolish social evils like Polygamy, Child marriage, and Patriarchy.

17. Q17.Through whose efforts was the 'Widow Remarriage Act' passed in 1856?

    • A.Raja Ram Mohan Roy
    • B.Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar✓ Correct Answer
    • C.D.K. Karve
    • D.Swami Vivekananda

    Explanation: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, principal of Sanskrit college, struggled a lot for Widow Remarriage. By his efforts, the Widow Remarriage Act was passed on 26th July, 1856.

18. Q18.Which Governor-General abolished the Sati practice by Regulation XVII?

    • A.Lord Canning
    • B.Lord Dalhousie
    • C.Lord William Bentinck✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Lord Wellesley

    Explanation: Abolition of Sati Regulation 1829 by Lord William Bentinck abolished Sati practice. Raja Ram Mohan Roy opposed the Sati system strongly.

19. Q19.Slavery became illegal in India by an Act passed in:

    • A.1829
    • B.1833
    • C.1843✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1858

    Explanation: Slavery became illegal in 1843 by an Act passed by Lord Ellenborough.

20. Q20.The 'Native Marriage Act' of 1872 was passed due to the efforts of:

    • A.Keshav Chandra Sen✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
    • C.Raja Ram Mohan Roy
    • D.B.M. Malabari

    Explanation: Keshav Chandra Sen in 1872 played an important role in the passing of Native Marriage Act (also called Brahma Vivah Act).