Question

Who amongst $19^{th}$-century social reformers is regarded as the bridge between the past and the future is?
A. Keshab Chandra Sen
B. Debendranath Tagore
C. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
D. Raja Rammohan Roy

Answer 1

Hint:
> He is famously known as the "Maker of Modern India" and the "Father of Modern India".
> He is considered as the founder of socio-religious and political change in modern India
> Social reformers are those individuals or groups of individuals who try to bring sustainable change in society using their foresight against prevalent ill-customs.

Complete answer:
Keshab Chandra Sen: (1838-84) He joined Samaj in 1858 and started organising the activities of Samaj beyond the regions of Bengal and UP, Punjab, Madras and Bombay. Keshab Chandra Sen radicalised Samaj by challenging the caste system, underlining the women's rights, and encouraging remarriage of widows. He published bambodhini Patrika, a journal for women.
Due to his radical reforms Brahmo samaj was divided into adi Brahmo samaj (original) and the Brahmo samaj of India which was headed by Keshab Chandra Sen. Due to his efforts British government enacted the Native marriage Act of 1872 which legalized the Brahmo marriages and fixed the minimum marriageable age for girls and boys.
Hence option A is incorrect.

Debendranath Tagore:- He established tattvabodhini Sabha in 1839 in Calcutta. In 1859 tattvabodhini Sabha was amalgamated with brahmo samaj. He also was the undisputed leader of brahmo samaj after raja ram Mohan Roy. He published tattvabodhini patrika a Bengali monthly magazine with the emphasis on the systematic study of India's past.
He compiled the selected passages from the Upanishads in the name of Brahma dharma.
Hence option B is incorrect.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar:- Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a Bengali reformer, has actively raised issues related to women, child marriage and polygamy. He was an active supporter of girls' education, claiming that lack of education was the actual cause of all their problems.
With the aid of an Englishman named Bethun, he set up a number of schools dedicated to girls. He was a firm supporter of the remarriage of the widow. Due to his immense support, the Widows' Remarriage Act was passed in 1856 to legalise all widow remarriages. Hence option C is incorrect.

Raja Rammohan Roy:
He believed in monotheism, i.e. the doctrine of the unity of God, and in opposition to idol worship. In 1803, he published a treatise in the Persian language called 'Tuhfat-ul Muwahhidin' or A Gift to Monotheists' in which he explained his idea of monotheism. He Advocated Western education in Indian schools to broaden the outlook of people. He launched the movement for the abolition of sati and successfully eradicated it with the help of legislation. He championed women rights and started awareness against polygamy property rights and education for girls as well as rights for widows. In 1814 he founded atmiya Sabha to propagate monotheism and bring reforms in Indian society and in 1828 it was converted into Brahmo samaj. He is considered as the father of Indian Renaissance and a bridge between past and future.

Note:
> Reformist: they brought changes as per the need of time and scientific mindset of modern times.
> Revivalist: those believed in going back to their ancient Indian texts and practices because modern practices are ruining the society.
> Mughal ruler Akbar-ll (1806-1836), gave the title of 'Raja' to Rammohan Roy.
> In 1817, Hindu College in Calcutta was set up by Raja Rammohan Roy, which transformed the education system of India.