1) Can you think of the ways in which social customs and practices were discussed in the pre-printing age when books, newspapers, and pamphlets were not readily available?
Answer: Before printing was common, people shared ideas through oral communication. They held meetings, gatherings, and discussions in places like temples, marketplaces, and homes. Stories, songs, and poems were used to convey messages. Scholars and teachers would travel from place to place, sharing knowledge with others.
2) This argument was taking place more than 175 years ago. Write down the different arguments you may have heard around you on the worth of women. In what ways have the views changed?
Answer: In the past, some people believed that women were weaker or less intelligent than men and should only do household work. Today, many people understand that women are equal to men in abilities and rights. Women now have more opportunities in education and jobs. Society’s views have changed to support gender equality.
3) Carefully read Source 3. What do you think Jyotirao Phule meant by “me here and you over there again”?
Answer:Jyotirao Phule meant that even if upper-caste leaders talked about unity, they still saw lower castes as different and kept them separate. They wanted to appear united but didn’t truly treat everyone equally. After achieving their goals, they would go back to treating lower castes unfairly.
4) i) Imagine that you are one of the students sitting in the school veranda and listening to the lessons. What kind of questions would be rising in your mind?
Answer: I might wonder why I am not allowed inside the classroom. I would ask why I am treated differently from other students. I might think about when I can learn freely like others and hope for equal treatment.
ii) Some people thought this situation was better than the total lack of education for untouchable people. Would you agree with this view?
Answer: While it’s a small step towards education, it’s still unfair. Everyone should have the same chance to learn inside the classroom. Sitting outside shows discrimination. It’s better than nothing, but true equality means learning together without barriers.
5) Why does caste remain such a controversial issue today? What do you think was the most important movement against caste in colonial times?
Answer: Caste is still controversial because discrimination and unfair treatment based on caste continue in some places. It affects people’s opportunities and rights. During colonial times, the movement led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was very important. He fought for the rights of lower castes and worked to end caste discrimination.
Let’s Recall
1) What social ideas did the following people support?
Rammohun Roy: He supported the abolition of practices like sati and wanted education for women.
Dayanand Saraswati: He advocated for equal rights for all and started the Arya Samaj to reform Hinduism.
Veerasalingam Pantulu: He worked for widow remarriage and women’s education.
Jyotirao Phule: He fought against caste discrimination and for the rights of lower castes.
Pandita Ramabai: She promoted women’s education and set up homes for widows.
Periyar: He challenged caste inequalities and fought for the rights of non-Brahmans.
Mumtaz Ali: He supported women’s education among Muslims.
Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar: He promoted widow remarriage and women’s education.
2) State whether true or false:
(a) When the British captured Bengal, they framed many new laws to regulate the rules regarding marriage, adoption, inheritance of property, etc.
Answer: True
(b) Social reformers had to discard the ancient texts in order to argue for reform in social practices.
Answer: False
(c) Reformers got full support from all sections of the people of the country.
Answer: False
(d) The Child Marriage Restraint Act was passed in 1829.
Answer: False (It was passed in 1929)
Let’s Discuss
3) How did the knowledge of ancient texts help the reformers promote new laws?
Answer: Reformers used ancient texts to show that some unfair practices were not originally part of tradition. By referring to respected scriptures, they convinced people that changes were acceptable and supported by tradition. This helped promote new laws against practices like sati and child marriage.
4) What were the different reasons people had for not sending girls to school?
Answer: People feared that education would take girls away from household duties. They worried about girls traveling alone to school and thought it might expose them to bad influences. Some believed that educated women would become widows or that it was against tradition.
5) Why were Christian missionaries attacked by many people in the country? Would some people have supported them too? If so, for what reasons?
Answer: Christian missionaries were attacked because they were seen as interfering with local religions and cultures. Some people feared they were forcing their beliefs on others. However, some supported them because they opened schools and hospitals, providing education and healthcare, especially to those who were denied these services.
6) In the British period, what new opportunities opened up for people who came from castes that were regarded as “low”?
Answer: New jobs in cities, factories, and the army became available. Education opportunities increased as missionaries and reformers opened schools. People from lower castes could work in plantations or as laborers, helping them escape some caste restrictions in villages.
7) How did Jyotirao and other reformers justify their criticism of caste inequality in society?
Answer: They argued that caste discrimination was unfair and not based on true religious teachings. Jyotirao Phule said that all people are equal and that the so-called upper castes were once outsiders. They used logical arguments and historical examples to show that caste inequalities should be removed.
8) Why did Phule dedicate his book “Gulamgiri” to the American movement to free slaves?
Answer: Phule saw similarities between the oppression of lower castes in India and the slavery of African Americans. By dedicating his book to the anti-slavery movement, he highlighted the need for freedom and equality for all oppressed people.
9) What did Ambedkar want to achieve through the temple entry movement?
Answer: Ambedkar wanted to show that untouchables should have the same rights as others, including entering temples. By leading the temple entry movement, he aimed to break caste barriers and promote equality.
10) Why were Jyotirao Phule and Ramaswamy Naicker critical of the national movement? Did their criticism help the national struggle in any way?
Answer: They felt that the national movement was dominated by upper castes who did not address caste discrimination. Their criticism highlighted the need to include social equality in the fight for independence. This helped the national struggle by bringing attention to issues of caste and promoting a more inclusive movement.