Consider the following statements:
- Aligarh Scientific Society was founded by Zakir Hussain in 1878
- Prarthana Samaj was established on 1866
- Paramhans Mandali was established on 1849
- Manav Dharam was established on 1844
Show Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer: (A)
Explanation:
- Statement 1 (Incorrect): The Aligarh Scientific Society was founded by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in 1864, not by Zakir Hussain in 1878.
- Statement 2 (Incorrect): The Prarthana Samaj was established in 1867 in Bombay, not 1866.
- Statement 3 (Correct): The Paramhans Mandali was established in 1849 in Bombay.
- Statement 4 (Correct): The Manav Dharma Sabha was established in 1844 in Surat.
📚 Additional Info: Socio-Religious Reforms
1. Aligarh Scientific Society
- Founder: Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
- Established: 1864.
- Purpose: To translate Western works on science and other subjects into Urdu to make them accessible to Muslims. It was a crucial part of the Aligarh Movement, which aimed to promote modern, scientific education within the Muslim community.
2. Prarthana Samaj
- Established: 1867 in Bombay.
- Founder: Atmaram Pandurang.
- Key Figures: M. G. Ranade and R. G. Bhandarkar joined later and became its prominent leaders.
- Purpose: Inspired by the Brahmo Samaj, it advocated for monotheism (worship of one God) and social reforms like widow remarriage, abolition of child marriage, and uplifting the oppressed classes.
3. Paramhans Mandali
- Established: 1849 in Bombay.
- Founders: Dadoba Pandurang and Durgaram Mehtaji.
- Purpose: It was a secret society that worked to abolish the caste system and idolatry. Its members would secretly eat food cooked by a low-caste person to break caste rules. It was one of the earliest radical reform groups in Maharashtra.
4. Manav Dharma Sabha
- Established: 1844 in Surat.
- Founders: Durgaram Mehtaji and Dadoba Pandurang.
- Purpose: One of the earliest reform organizations in Gujarat. It attacked caste, idolatry, and superstitious beliefs, promoting reason and moral principles based on “one God, one religion for all mankind.”