Theme T13 · Modern India & Freedom Struggle

Socio-religious reform: Brahmo Samaj, Young Bengal, Phule

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What UPSC asks

UPSC asks about the rise of reform movements (Brahmo Samaj, Young Bengal) and reformers like Phule who addressed subaltern groups.

Prepare these

• Brahmo Samaj, Young Bengal, Prarthana Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission
• Phule: Satyashodhak Samaj, Gulamgiri, education for women and lower castes
• Caste reformers: Narayana Guru, Periyar, Ambedkar

Answer writing

• Organise by region or by issue (caste, women, religion)
• Link reformers' ideas to constitutional values today

Directive words in these PYQs: Discuss (1), Trace (1).

Linked themes

Builds on: study these first

These come earlier in the roadmap. Questions in this theme use them.

Comes back later in

Later themes that take this one further.

Syllabus lines covered

• GS1-L2 — Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues

All 2 PYQs, newest first

1. GS1202515 marks · 250 wordsGS1-HIS-03-M2025-Q11

   Mahatma Jotirao Phule's writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss.

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2. GS12021GS1-HIS-03-M2021-S01

   Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj.

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