Samacheer Class 8 Social Science - Status of Women in India through the Ages

Alath Pemal Juvenile society was set up by the Christian missionaries in 1819. Velu Nachiyar of Sivaganga fought bravely against the British during the colonial period. The Servants of India Society was started by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who was a prominent social reformer dedicated to improving Indian society through education and social work. Periyar was one of the greatest social reformers of Tamil Nadu who fought against caste discrimination and worked for the upliftment of the oppressed sections of society. Kandukuri Veeresalingam, an important social reformer, published a journal called Vivekavardhini which played a significant role in spreading awareness about social issues and promoting reform movements in Indian society.

Charles Wood
2. The word Devadasi means ………………..
Servant of God
3. The Theosophical Society was established at Chennai by ………………..
Dr. Annie Besant
4. The National Commission for women was set up on ………………. .
January 1992
5. The monogamy was in practice but among the ………………. was prevalent.
rich polygamy
6. Among the Rajputs of Rajasthan, the ………………. was practiced
Jauhar
7. ………………. established a number of female schools in Poona.
D.K. Karve
8. ………………. was started in Delhi.
Lady Harding Medical College
9. Female infanticide was afflicting the ………………. century Indian society.
nineteenth
10. Akbar prohibited ………………..
child marriage
11. ………………. the pioneer of Indian social reform movement.
Raja Rammohan Roy
12. ………………. set an example to others by marrying a widow of his choice.
Narayana Chandra
13. The spread of ………………. led to several other social reforms.
female education
14. ………………. was another reformer who was very much influenced by the ideas of Periyar.
Dr. S. Dharmambal
15. The native Marriage Act was passed in ………………..
1872

Women were honoured in the Rig Vedic period, as evidenced by their participation in religious rituals and intellectual discussions, making this statement true. The Devadasi system was indeed a social evil that exploited women by dedicating them to temples under the guise of religious service, which is true. Raja Rammohan Roy was the pioneer of the Indian social reform movement, working tirelessly to abolish practices like Sati and promote women's education, making this statement true. The reservation of 23 percent to women was not envisaged as an improvement in the socio-political status of women in the historical context being discussed, making this statement false. The Sharda Act of 1930 did raise the age of marriage for both boys and girls, aiming to prevent child marriage and protect the health and welfare of young people, which is true.

E. V. Ramasamy, also known as Periyar, was indeed instrumental in passing the Devadasi Abolition Bill, working against the exploitative system that forced women into temple service, making this statement true. The minimum marriageable age for a girl was not 18 years in 1846; it was much lower, as child marriage was prevalent during that period, making this statement false. Niccolo Conti was an Italian traveler, not a French traveler, who visited Vijayanagar and documented his observations, making this statement false. Female infanticide was declared illegal as societies recognized the grave injustice and moral wrong of this practice, making this statement true. Female foeticide was not primarily afflicting 19th century Hindi society in the way the statement suggests; it became a more widespread concern in later periods with modern technology, making this statement false.

During the British Raj, many socio-religious reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Dayananda Saraswathi, Keshab Chandra Sen, Iswara Chandra Vidya Sagar, Pandita Ramabai, Dr. Muthulakshmi, Jyoti Rao Phule, Periyar E.V.R, Dr. Dharmambal were the prominent leaders who fought for the upliftment of women.
2. List out some social evils?
Female infanticide, female foeticide, Child marriage, Sati, and Devadasi system.
3 Who were the notable women during the medieval period?
Some of the notable women during the medieval period were Razia sultana, Queen Durgavati, Chand bibi, Nurjahan, Jahan nara, Jijabai, and Mira bai.
4. Mention the important women freedom fighters of India?
Vellunachiyar of Sivaganga, Begum Hazarat Mahal, Rani Lakshmi Bhai of Jhansi.
5. Give a note on Sati.
Sati was a social evil that prevailed in Indian Society especially among the Rajputs.
The feudal society of the time encouraged “sati” which meant self-immolation of the widow on the funeral pyre of her husband.
Earlier it was a voluntary act but later by the relatives forced the widow to sit on the funeral pyre.

The spread of female education led to several other social reforms of great consequences, such as the abolition of the purdah system, participation of women in the freedom struggle.
In the early anti-colonial Struggle women played major roles in various capacities,
Velunachiyar of Sivaganga fought violently against the British and restored her rule in Sivaganga.
Begum Hazrat Mahal, Rani Lakshmi Bhai of Jhansi led an armed revolt of 1857* against the British.
In the freedom struggle, thousands of women came out of their homes, boycotted foreign goods, marched in processions, defied laws, received lathi charges, and Courted jails.

The Social reformers have contributed more for the eradication of social evils.
Raja RamMohan Roy with the help of William Bentinck abolished Sati in 1829. Sati was declared illegal and punishable by law.
Ishwar Chandra Vidhyasagar founded several girl’s schools and promoted widow remarriage and polygamy was abolished.
Kandukuri Veeresalingam opened his first girl’s schools in 1874.
M. G Ranade promoted widow remarriage and B.M Malabari abolished Child marriage.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale worked for the spread of female education.
Periyar E.V.R advocated women education and widow remarriage.
Many women reformers also contributed to eradicate social evils.

Significant advances were made in the field of emancipation of women.
It created of national awakening among the masses.
It created the feeling of sacrifice, service and rationalism.
The practice of sati and infanticide were made illegal.
It permitted widow remarriage.
The following legislations have enhanced the status of women in matters of marriage adoption and inheritance.
Legislation Provisions:
Bengal regulation of XXI, 1804 – Female infanticide was declared illegal
Regulation of XVII, 1829 – Practice of sat was declared illegal
Hindus Widow’s Remarriage Act, 1856 – It permitted widow remarriage
The Native Marriage Act, 1872 – The Child Marriage was prohibited
The Sharda Act, 1930 – The age of marriage was raised for boys and girls
Devadasi Abolition Act, 1947 – It abolished the Devadasi system