Important Reform Movements

Brahmo Samaj was a socio-religious reform movement in India, which aimed at purifying Hinduism and promoting monotheism. It was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. **Statement 1 is correct:** Brahmo Samaj opposed idolatry and promoted monotheism, believing in a single, formless, and infinite God. **Statement 2 is correct:** Brahmo Samaj denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting religious texts. It advocated for the individual interpretation of religious texts, emphasizing personal understanding over ritualistic observance. **Statement 3 is incorrect:** Brahmo Samaj did not popularize the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible. In fact, it believed in the infallibility of reason and conscience, not of any particular religious text. Therefore, the correct answer is (B) 1 and 2 only.

**Statement 1 is incorrect.** The Calcutta Unitarian Committee, jointly founded by William Adam and Rammohun Roy in September 1821, sought to bring together prominent Brahmins who were friends of Roy's and supporters of his agenda for the promotion of religious monotheism and social reform among Hindus. **Statement 2 is correct.** On 24th January 1868, Keshab Chandra Sen laid the foundation stone of his mandir called the Tabernacle of New Dispensation. Keshab and his followers marched to the proposed spot early in the morning, performing Sankirtan, and this was the first Brahmo street procession, and it was the first of its kind in Calcutta. **Statement 3 is correct.** Indian Reforms Association aligns better with Sen's social reform activities. He established this association upon returning from Europe in 1870 to advocate for social progress in areas like education, women's rights, and temperance.

Key historical events in chronological order 1. 1859: Neeldarpan was written by Dinabandhu Mitra. This was a significant work highlighting the plight of indigo farmers. 2. 1863: Satyendranath Tagore cleared the British-UPSC without coaching, becoming the first Indian to do so. 3. 1875: Arya Samaj was established by Swami Dayanand, marking a pivotal moment in the religious and social reform movements in India. 4. 1882: Anandmath was penned by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, introducing the song 'Vande Mataram' which played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement.

The Self-Respect Movement, started in 1925, aimed to dismantle caste hierarchies and promote social equality, especially for non-Brahmin communities in Tamil Nadu. He **founded the Self-Respect Movement** to fight **caste oppression** and promote **rationalism and equality**.