Roadmap for Answer Writing Introduction Define the Working Class: Briefly explain what constitutes the working class in the context of India. Contextual Background: Mention the emergence of the working class in the late 19th century due to industrialization under British rule. Evolution of the ...
Model Answer Social Reformers in India The 19th century was a pivotal era for women's rights in India, marked by significant social reform movements aimed at improving the status of women. Among the most influential reformers were Raja Ram Mohun Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Raja Ram Mohun RoyRead more
Model Answer
Social Reformers in India
The 19th century was a pivotal era for women’s rights in India, marked by significant social reform movements aimed at improving the status of women. Among the most influential reformers were Raja Ram Mohun Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar.
Raja Ram Mohun Roy
Often hailed as the “Father of Indian Renaissance,” Raja Ram Mohun Roy played a crucial role in advocating for gender equality. He recognized the severe injustices faced by women, particularly regarding practices like sati (the burning of widows). In 1818, he launched a campaign against sati, citing religious texts to argue that no religion condoned such acts. His efforts culminated in the Bengal Sati Regulation of 1829, which made sati illegal across British India (Source: “The Indian Renaissance” by R.K. Gupta).
Roy was also a strong proponent of women’s education. In 1822, he founded the Anglo-Hindu School, where boys and girls were educated together. Additionally, through the establishment of Brahmo Samaj in 1828, he promoted women’s education and encouraged families to send their daughters to school (Source: “Raja Ram Mohun Roy: The Father of Modern India” by K. S. Lal). Furthermore, Roy spoke out against polygamy, highlighting its detrimental effects on women’s well-being.
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was another key figure in advancing women’s rights. He championed the cause of widow remarriage, filing a petition that ultimately led to the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act of 1856, despite significant opposition (Source: “Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: The Social Reformer” by S. Chatterjee).
Vidyasagar was also an advocate for women’s education, establishing numerous schools for girls and founding the Nari Shiksha Bhandar to support female education financially. His efforts against child marriage and polygamy contributed to the passage of the Age of Consent Act in 1891 (Source: “Social Reform Movements in India” by R. S. Sharma).
Conclusion
The reformative actions of Raja Ram Mohun Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar laid the groundwork for future advancements in women’s rights, significantly influencing the freedom struggle and shaping modern India. Their commitment to eradicating social injustices and promoting education for women remains a vital part of India’s reform history.
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Model Answer Evolution of the Working Class in India The working class in India began to take shape in the latter half of the 19th century, primarily due to the growth of modern industry under British colonial rule. This evolution was closely tied to the broader Indian national movement. Evolution oRead more
Model Answer
Evolution of the Working Class in India
The working class in India began to take shape in the latter half of the 19th century, primarily due to the growth of modern industry under British colonial rule. This evolution was closely tied to the broader Indian national movement.
Evolution of the Working Class
The destruction of the traditional village economy, driven by British free trade policies, forced many impoverished rural workers to migrate to urban areas in search of employment. This migration laid the foundation for the industrial working class, particularly in cities like Bombay and Calcutta, where demand for cheap labor surged (Source: “The Working Class of India: History and Perspective” by R. K. Sharma). Initially unorganized and exploited, especially women and children, the working conditions began to improve with the introduction of legislation like the Factories Act of 1881 and the Factories Act of 1891.
As the working class became more organized, they shifted focus from purely economic issues to broader political concerns. This transformation was evident in significant strikes and protests, such as the Ahmedabad mill strike. The establishment of trade unions post-World War I, exemplified by the formation of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920, marked a consolidation of the working class. During the 1920s and 30s, communist ideologies began to influence the working class, promoting political activism (Source: “Trade Union Movement in India” by A. K. Sen).
Involvement in the Freedom Struggle
The working class actively participated in key national movements, including the Swadeshi Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, and Quit India Movement. For instance, railway workers protested during the Rowlatt Agitation, showcasing their commitment to the national cause (Source: “The Role of Working Class in India’s Freedom Struggle” by P. S. Gupta).
Strikes and hartals became common as workers sought to address both economic and political grievances, exemplified by strikes in government presses and textile mills. Lala Lajpat Rai, president of AITUC, notably critiqued the link between capitalism and imperialism, positioning the working class as a vital force against colonial rule.
Trade unions proliferated in 1919-20, further embedding workers in the national political landscape. Many prominent leaders, including C.R. Das and Subhash Chandra Bose, collaborated with the AITUC, urging workers to engage in political activism.
Though the emergence of a strong leftist movement in the late 1920s caused some tensions with the Congress Party, the working class remained essential to the freedom struggle, particularly in the post-World War II period during the INA trials and the naval ratings’ mutiny in 1946 (Source: “The Indian National Movement: A History” by B. R. Nanda).
In summary, the working class evolved from a fragmented group into a politically conscious force, playing a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence.
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