UPSC Prelims 2012 Q28: Modern History – Social & Religious Reform Movements
- (a) Different social reform groups or organizations of Bengal region united to form a single body to discuss the issues of larger interest and to prepare petitions/representations to the government
- (b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose
- (c) Behramji Malabari and M. G. Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization
- (d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context
Answer: (b) Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose
Explanation
National Social Conference
Founded in 1887 by M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao.
The Indian National Congress chose to deal only with political questions, so a separate body was formed for social reform.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Met | Each year at the same time and place as the Congress session |
| Called | The 'social reform cell' of the Congress |
| Causes | Inter-caste marriage; against polygamy and child marriage |
| 'Pledge Movement' | People pledged not to marry off children |
The options checked:
| Option | Verdict |
|---|---|
| (a) Reform groups of Bengal united into a single body | Incorrect; it was all-India |
| (b) Congress did not want to include social reforms and decided to form a separate body | Correct |
| (c) Behramji Malabari and M.G. Ranade decided to unite all reform groups | Incorrect; the founders were Ranade and Raghunath Rao |
| (d) None of the above | Incorrect |
Answer: (b) Congress kept social reforms out of its deliberations, so a separate body was formed.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. It was not a union of Bengal reform groups.
- (b) CORRECT. The Congress kept out social reforms, so a separate body was formed.
- (c) Incorrect. Behramji Malabari was not its co-founder; Raghunath Rao was.
- (d) Incorrect. Option (b) is correct.
Key point
National Social Conference (1887): M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao; social reform wing meeting alongside Congress sessions; inter-caste marriage, against child marriage.
Remember
National Social Conference = Ranade, 1887.
Common mistakes
- Naming Malabari as a founder; he campaigned for the Age of Consent Act.
- Thinking the Congress discussed social reform itself.
- Forgetting the founding year: 1887.
Exam tip
Congress = politics; National Social Conference = social reform. Same venue, separate platforms.
Sources
- Spectrum — A Brief History of Modern India (Socio-Religious Reform Movements)
- Bipan Chandra — History of Modern India (Religious and Social Reform after 1858)