Class 8 Our Past III Women Caste and Reform

Class 8 Our Past III Women Caste and Reform

1. Introduction

  • This chapter explores social reform movements in the 19th and early 20th century India.
  • Focus is on women’s rights, caste discrimination, and efforts to reform society.
  • Reformers aimed to improve education, end social evils, and promote equality.

2. Status of Women in Society

  • Women were restricted from education and public life.
  • Child marriage and sati were common in some regions.
  • Widows often faced social restrictions.
  • Social reformers tried to improve women’s education and legal rights.

3. Key Social Reformers

  • Raja Ram Mohan Roy:
    • Fought against sati.
    • Promoted women’s education.
  • Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar:
    • Worked for widow remarriage.
  • Jyotirao Phule:
    • Fought caste discrimination and promoted education for lower castes.
  • Savitribai Phule:
    • Pioneer in women’s education.
  • Dayananda Saraswati:
    • Encouraged return to Vedic principles, social reforms.

4. Caste and Society

  • Social reformers focused on ending untouchability and caste discrimination.
  • Promoted education for all castes.
  • Worked towards egalitarian social practices in villages and towns.

5. Impact of Reforms

  • Gradual increase in literacy and women’s education.
  • Reduction in some social evils like sati.
  • Awareness about equality and rights grew in society.
  • Inspired later nationalist and social reform movements.

6. Key Terms to Remember

  • Sati: Widow immolation.
  • Widow Remarriage: Allowing widows to remarry.
  • Untouchability: Social discrimination against lower castes.
  • Social Reformers: People who worked to improve society.
  • Women’s Education: Education for girls promoted by reformers.

7. Most Probable Questions (One/Two Word Answers)

  1. Reformer who fought against sati → Raja Ram Mohan Roy
  2. Reformer who promoted widow remarriage → Vidyasagar
  3. Pioneer of women’s education → Savitribai Phule
  4. Social reformer fighting caste discrimination → Jyotirao Phule
  5. Practice of widow burning → Sati
  6. Discrimination against lower castes → Untouchability
  7. Legal reform for widows → Remarriage
  8. Return to Vedic principles → Dayananda Saraswati
  9. Education for lower castes → Equality
  10. Major focus of social reform → Women