Caste-Based Movements in 19th Century India
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Questions and Answers

What was Periyar's motivation for founding the Self Respect Movement?

  • He wanted to eliminate all social divisions and inequality.
  • He was dissatisfied with the caste-based seating arrangements at a feast organized by nationalists. (correct)
  • He believed that untouchables were the true upholders of an original Tamil and Dravidian culture. (correct)
  • He believed that religious authorities saw social divisions and inequality as God-given. (correct)

    • What was the key goal of the Self Respect Movement?

  • To promote the original Tamil and Dravidian culture.
  • To challenge the influence of religious authorities.
  • To achieve social equality for untouchables. (correct)
  • To eliminate the caste system entirely.

    • How does the text characterize the impact of the movement for widow remarriage?

  • The movement was largely unsuccessful, but it helped raise awareness and generate public debate on widow remarriage. (correct)
  • The movement was met with strong opposition, resulting in minimal impact on social practices.
  • The movement was successful in gaining legal recognition but faced strong social resistance.
  • The movement achieved widespread success, leading to a significant increase in widow remarriages.

    • Who was a key figure in the movement for widow remarriage in the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency?

    <p>Veerasalingam Pantulu (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following groups supported the movement for widow remarriage?

    <p>Young intellectuals and reformers in Bombay (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following movements aimed at improving the social status of leatherworkers?

    <p>The Satnami movement (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who actively challenged the caste system by questioning the Brahmanical texts?

    <p>Haridas Thakur (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main reason for the opposition faced by Christian missionaries in India?

    <p>Their attempts to convert people to Christianity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group benefited from the reform activities of Christian missionaries?

    <p>Tribal and lower-caste communities (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, also known as Periyar, do to improve the condition of untouchables?

    <p>He worked to abolish the caste system through political activism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What evidence suggests that E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker had a deep understanding of traditional Hindu scriptures?

    <p>He studied Sanskrit scriptures in his early life (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a reason why some people supported Christian missionaries?

    <p>They promoted the use of Hindi as a national language. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main objective of the movements organized by people from the lower castes?

    <p>To achieve social equality and justice (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Periyar

    A social reformer who founded the Self Respect Movement.

    Self Respect Movement

    Movement founded by Periyar to promote dignity for untouchables.

    Caste Distinctions

    Social hierarchy in India where upper and lower castes are segregated.

    Widow Remarriage Movement

    Campaign to promote remarriage of widows in 19th-century India.

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    Arya Samaj

    Reform association founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati supporting widow remarriage.

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    Caste Discrimination Movements

    Grassroots movements by lower castes against caste inequalities.

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    Satnami Movement

    Founded by Ghasidas; aimed to improve social status of leatherworkers.

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    Matua Sect

    Founded by Haridas Thakur in Bengal; focused on Chandala cultivators.

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    Shri Narayana Guru

    Ezhava guru promoting unity and opposing caste discrimination in Kerala.

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    Christian Missionaries' Impact

    Set up schools and denounced caste discrimination; opposed by conservatives.

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    Opposition to Missionaries

    Conservatives feared missionaries aimed at religious conversion.

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    Support for Missionaries

    Progressive Indians endorsed missionaries for reforms and education.

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    E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker

    Known as Periyar; advocated for the rights of untouchables and social reform.

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    Study Notes

    Caste-Based Movements in 19th Century India

    • Lower castes organized movements against discrimination in the latter half of the 19th century, demanding social equality and justice.
    • The Satnami movement, led by Ghasidas, worked to improve the social status of leatherworkers in central India.
    • The Matua sect, led by Haridas Thakur in Eastern Bengal, challenged Brahmanical texts justifying caste.
    • Shri Narayana Guru, an Ezhava guru in Kerala, advocated for unity and opposed caste-based inequality.

    Opposition to Christian Missionaries

    • Christian missionaries established schools for tribal and lower-caste children, advocating for social reforms and opposing caste, sati, and advocating education for girls.
    • Missionaries faced opposition from orthodox sections of society, who viewed their actions as interfering in religious matters, suspecting their ultimate goal was conversion.
    • Progressive Indians (reformers and intellectuals) and those benefiting from missionary reforms supported them.

    E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar)

    • Periyar, a former ascetic, studied Sanskrit and later became a Congressman before distancing himself due to caste-based seating distinctions at a nationalist gathering.
    • Founded the Self-Respect Movement to fight for the dignity of untouchables.
    • He argued untouchables upheld an original Tamil/Dravidian culture, challenging religious authorities' view of caste as divinely ordained.
    • He advocated for untouchables to free themselves from religious dogma to achieve social equality.

    Widow Remarriage Movement

    • Widow remarriage movements spread across India by the latter half of the 19th century.
    • Reformers like Veerasalingam Pantulu in Telugu regions and young intellectuals in Bombay actively supported the cause.
    • Swami Dayanand Saraswati's Arya Samaj also promoted widow remarriage.
    • Despite efforts, the movement lacked widespread success, with few widows remarrying and facing social ostracization from conservative groups.

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    Description

    Explore the significant caste-based movements in 19th century India that aimed at social equality and justice. Learn about key figures like Ghasidas, Haridas Thakur, and Shri Narayana Guru, who challenged the established norms and advocated for the rights of lower castes. This quiz also addresses the role of Christian missionaries in supporting social reforms amidst opposition.

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