Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 224

Read the following statements in reference to social reformers and choose the CORRECT option. Statement I:-Raja Ram Mohan Roy wrote Gift to Monotheists and translated the Vedas and the five upanishads into Bengali. Statement II:-Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar gave the mantra, 'Go back to Vedas'

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the specific works and contributions of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar.

Correct Answer: D) Statement I: TRUE, Statement II: FALSE.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar were two significant social reformers in 19th century India, each contributing to the betterment of society in different ways. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, often referred to as the "Father of the Indian Renaissance," was a pioneer in the movement for social reform and modernization. He was a key figure in the Brahmo Samaj, a religious and social reform movement that sought to reform Hinduism by eliminating practices such as sati (the practice of a widow immolating herself on her husband's funeral pyre) and child marriage. He also advocated for women's rights and education.

One of Raja Ram Mohan Roy's notable contributions was his literary work. He wrote "Gift to Monotheists," a book that promoted monotheism and criticized idolatry. Additionally, he translated the Vedas and five Upanishads into Bengali, making these ancient texts more accessible to the common people. This translation work was significant as it helped to spread the knowledge of these sacred texts and contributed to the intellectual and cultural renaissance in Bengal.

Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar, on the other hand, was a prominent figure in the Bengali renaissance and is known for his contributions to education and women's rights. He was a renowned scholar and worked extensively to reform the education system in Bengal. Vidyasagar was instrumental in introducing the system of modern education in India, particularly in the field of Bengali literature and language. He also played a crucial role in the movement for widow remarriage and worked towards the abolition of child marriage.

However, the statement that Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar gave the mantra "Go back to Vedas" is incorrect. This mantra is often attributed to Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, who advocated for a return to the Vedas as the primary source of Hindu religious and social practices. Vidyasagar's contributions were more focused on education and social reform rather than religious revivalism.

Therefore, the correct option is D, where Statement I is true and Statement II is false. Raja Ram Mohan Roy's contributions to literature and translation are well-documented, while Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar's work did not include the specific mantra mentioned in Statement II.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect because it states that both statements are false. Raja Ram Mohan Roy did indeed write "Gift to Monotheists" and translated the Vedas and five Upanishads into Bengali, making Statement I true. Statement II is false as Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar did not give the mantra "Go back to Vedas."
  • Option B: This option is incorrect because it states that both statements are true. While Statement I is true, Statement II is false as Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar did not give the mantra "Go back to Vedas."
  • Option C: This option is incorrect because it states that Statement I is false and Statement II is true. Statement I is true as Raja Ram Mohan Roy did write "Gift to Monotheists" and translated the Vedas and five Upanishads into Bengali. Statement II is false as Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar did not give the mantra "Go back to Vedas."
  • Option D: This option is correct because Statement I is true and Statement II is false. Raja Ram Mohan Roy wrote "Gift to Monotheists" and translated the Vedas and five Upanishads into Bengali. Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar did not give the mantra "Go back to Vedas."

Mnemonic: RRM for Raja Ram Mohan Roy, ICV for Ishwar Chand Vidyasagar

Back to Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 224 – Practice all questions