Daily Current Affairs Quiz: November 13, 2025

Answer: B [1 and 4 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Arya Samaj did not significantly influence the Brahmo Samaj’s theology. The Brahmo Samaj had already rejected idol worship earlier, and both movements developed independently with distinct theological foundations and reform agendas.

Statement 2 is correct: By emphasising the Vedas as the ultimate source of knowledge, Arya Samaj encouraged renewed study of Vedic texts and Sanskrit, contributing to a broader revival of ancient Indian scholarly traditions.

Statement 3 is correct: Arya Samaj actively promoted social reforms, particularly supporting widow remarriage, girls’ education, and gender equality. Its campaigns helped spread awareness about women’s rights across several regions.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Although rooted in Vedic principles, Arya Samaj expanded well beyond traditionally Vedic regions. It gained strong influence in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and parts of North India, showing a broad outreach.

Statement 5 is correct: The Shuddhi Movement, led by Arya Samaj, aimed to reconvert individuals who had moved to other religions. It sought to reintegrate them into Hindu society and strengthen communal identity.

Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Self-Respect Movement firmly rejected Brahminical rituals and priestly dominance. It promoted secular, rational, and non-Brahminical marriage practices such as Self-Respect Marriages aimed at equality, dignity, and social reform.

Statement 2 is correct: ‘Kudi Arasu’, a Tamil weekly founded by Periyar, became the main ideological vehicle of the movement. It published articles advocating rationalism, anti-caste ideas, women’s rights, and social equality, expanding the movement’s influence.

Answer: D [Debendranath Tagore]
Explanation:

Option A is incorrect: Ramakrishna Paramhansa was a mystic saint associated with spiritual teachings and later inspired the Ramakrishna Mission.

Option B is incorrect: Henry Derozio led the Young Bengal Movement and promoted radical rationalism and free thought. Although influential in Bengal’s reformist ideas, he was not associated with the Tattvabodhini Sabha.

Option C is incorrect: Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a nationalist leader advocating Swaraj and mass mobilization. His activities were political, not linked to the Tattvabodhini Sabha, which focused on socio-religious reform in Bengal.

Option D is correct: Debendranath Tagore revived and led the Tattvabodhini Sabha, strengthening its mission of promoting Vedic studies, moral uplift, and rational religious reform. He later became a major leader of the Brahmo Samaj.

Answer: A [2 and 3 only]
Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Dayanand Saraswati strongly opposed idol worship and promoted a return to pure Vedic religion. He rejected images, rituals, and priestly dominance, forming the Arya Samaj on strict monotheistic and Vedic principles.

Statement 2 is correct: Annie Besant was a major leader of the Theosophical Society. She promoted spiritual universalism, Indian philosophical revival, and later became active in Indian nationalism through Home Rule advocacy.

Statement 3 is correct: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar vigorously promoted women’s education and championed the cause of widow remarriage. His efforts led to the Widow Remarriage Act of 1856 and expanded educational opportunities for girls.

Statement 4 is incorrect: Raja Ram Mohan Roy did not regard the Vedas as infallible. He emphasized monotheism, rationality, and ethical principles drawn mainly from the Upanishads, rejecting orthodox ritualism and scriptural absolutism.

Answer: B [Advocating for a return to the Vedic past and a strict adherence to the varna system as described in ancient texts, rejecting later social hierarchies.]
Explanation:

1. Reform movements often fused Western liberal thought with Indian spiritual ideas, as seen in the Brahmo Samaj adopting Unitarian principles like monotheism, rationality, and ethical reform.
2. Strict adherence to the ancient varna system was not a feature of most reform movements; they opposed caste-by-birth and promoted equality, even when drawing on Vedic principles.
3. Many reformers encouraged personal interpretation of religious texts and pushed for vernacular translations, reducing priestly control and widening public access to spiritual knowledge.
4. Socio-religious movements actively supported widow remarriage, women’s education, and gender reform, using scriptural justification to challenge orthodox norms and uplift women’s status.