CAPF AC 2020 Q103: Modern History – Social & Religious Reform Movements
Which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. Parmahansa Mandali was founded in Bengal by Swami Vivekananda
2. Prarthana Samaj was started in Maharashtra with the aim of reforming Hindu religious thought and practice
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation
Paramahansa Mandali and Prarthana Samaj
How to think: both bodies belong to Maharashtra.
Statement 1 puts one of them in Bengal under Vivekananda.
Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission, so statement 1 fails on both counts.
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Paramahansa Mandali was founded in Bengal by Swami Vivekananda | Incorrect | Founded in Maharashtra in 1849 by Dadoba Pandurang and others |
| 2. Prarthana Samaj was started in Maharashtra to reform Hindu religious thought and practice | Correct | Founded in Bombay in 1867 by Atmaram Pandurang |
The bodies compared:
| Body | Year and place | People | Aim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramahansa Mandali | 1849, Maharashtra | Dadoba Pandurang, Mehtaji Durgaram | One God; breaking caste rules |
| Prarthana Samaj | 1867, Bombay | Atmaram Pandurang; later M. G. Ranade, R. G. Bhandarkar | Reform of Hindu thought and practice |
| Ramakrishna Mission | 1897, Bengal | Swami Vivekananda | Service and Vedanta |
Answer: (b) 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong; the Mandali was in Maharashtra, not Bengal.
- (b) CORRECT. Only statement 2 on the Prarthana Samaj is right.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 is wrong; Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is right; the Prarthana Samaj was a reform body of Maharashtra.
Key point
Paramahansa Mandali: 1849, Maharashtra, Dadoba Pandurang. Prarthana Samaj: 1867, Bombay, Atmaram Pandurang, later M. G. Ranade. Ramakrishna Mission: 1897, Vivekananda.
Remember
Paramahansa Mandali and Prarthana Samaj are both from Maharashtra.
Common mistakes
- Linking the word Paramahansa with Ramakrishna Paramahansa and so with Vivekananda.
- Placing the Prarthana Samaj in Bengal; the Brahmo Samaj was the Bengal body.
- Mixing up Dadoba Pandurang and Atmaram Pandurang; they were brothers.
Exam tip
Educated guess: the name Paramahansa is the bait. Vivekananda's body is the Ramakrishna Mission and nothing else.
Sources
- NCERT Class VIII History — Our Pasts III (Women, Caste and Reform)
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India (Socio-Religious Reform Movements)