Women, Caste and Reform Class 8 Extra Questions and Answers Free PDF Download
FAQs on CBSE Important Questions for Class 8 Social Science Women, Caste and Reform - 2025-26
1. What types of important questions can be expected in the CBSE Class 8 exam 2025-26 from the chapter 'Women, Caste and Reform'?
For the 2025-26 exams, expect a mix of questions from this chapter, including:
- 1-mark questions (MCQs/Fill in the blanks): Focusing on specific names of reformers (e.g., Raja Rammohun Roy, Pandita Ramabai), organisations (e.g., Brahmo Samaj), and years (e.g., Sati Regulation Act of 1829).
- 3-mark questions (Short Answer): Asking you to explain the contribution of a particular social reformer or the significance of a specific reform movement like the widow remarriage movement.
- 5-mark questions (Long Answer): Requiring a detailed analysis of the efforts to abolish the caste system or a comprehensive note on the movement for women's education in the 19th century.
2. Which key social reformers and their contributions from Chapter 7 are most frequently asked about in exams?
Based on exam trends, you should focus on the following reformers:
- Raja Rammohun Roy: Founder of the Brahmo Samaj and his campaign against the practice of Sati.
- Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar: His use of ancient texts to argue for widow remarriage and his efforts in establishing schools for girls.
- Jyotirao Phule: His work on caste equality, criticism of Brahmanical supremacy, and efforts in educating lower-caste girls through his schools in Maharashtra.
- Pandita Ramabai: A great scholar of Sanskrit who championed the cause of women's education and established a widow's home at Poona.
- E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker (Periyar): Founder of the Self Respect Movement, who challenged caste-based discrimination and orthodox Hinduism.
3. How should I structure a 5-mark answer on the role of social reformers in eradicating the caste system?
To score full marks, structure your answer clearly:
- Introduction: Briefly explain the rigidity of the caste system in 19th-century India.
- Body Paragraphs: Dedicate separate points or short paragraphs to different reformers. Mention Jyotirao Phule's arguments from his book Gulamgiri, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's temple entry movement, and Periyar's Self Respect Movement.
- Methods Used: Mention their methods, such as starting schools for lower castes, writing critical books, and organising movements.
- Conclusion: Summarise how their collective efforts challenged caste-based discrimination and laid the groundwork for modern India's legal framework against untouchability.
4. What are the most important dates and events from this chapter for the Class 8 Social Science exam?
For objective and short-answer questions, remembering these key dates is crucial:
- 1829: The practice of Sati was banned through the Sati Regulation Act, largely due to the efforts of Raja Rammohun Roy.
- 1856: A law was passed permitting widow remarriage, a result of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar's campaigns.
- 1873: Jyotirao Phule established the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) to propagate caste equality.
- 1875: The Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, which supported women's education and condemned caste-based restrictions.
- 1927: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar started the temple entry movement to challenge caste prejudice.
5. Why is studying the 'Women, Caste and Reform' chapter so important for understanding the history of modern India?
This chapter is crucial because it explains the foundational struggles that shaped modern Indian society. It shows how the debates and movements of the 19th century directly led to:
- The principles of equality and justice enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
- The legal framework protecting the rights of women and marginalised castes.
- The beginning of modern education for all, which was a radical idea at the time.
6. How did reformers convince a largely orthodox society to accept changes like widow remarriage and girls' education?
Reformers used a clever strategy. Instead of directly rejecting all traditions, they often argued that their proposed reforms were not new but were actually sanctioned by ancient sacred texts. For example, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar used ancient Sanskrit texts to prove that there was no prohibition on widow remarriage. This approach challenged the orthodox sections on their own ground and made it harder for them to oppose the reforms simply as 'Western' or 'foreign' ideas.
7. What was the main difference in the approach of the Brahmo Samaj and the Arya Samaj towards reform?
While both were reform movements, their approaches differed. The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Rammohun Roy, was influenced by Western liberal thought and focused on prohibiting practices like Sati and promoting monotheism. In contrast, the Arya Samaj, founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati, promoted a 'return to the Vedas'. It sought to reform Hinduism from within by rejecting later additions like idol worship, untouchability, and the rigidities of the caste system, arguing these were not part of the original Vedic texts.
8. Beyond Sati, what other lesser-known but significant issues concerning women did 19th-century reformers address?
While the abolition of Sati was a major victory, reformers also tackled other critical issues:
- Child Marriage: The Child Marriage Restraint Act was a later outcome of prolonged debate and advocacy by reformers.
- Women's Right to Property: Many reformers in Bengal and other regions began discussing and advocating for women's inheritance rights.
- Social Mobility for Widows: Beyond just remarriage, reformers like Pandita Ramabai worked to provide widows with education and vocational skills at homes like the one in Poona, enabling them to become economically independent and live with dignity.
