Correct Option
The correct option is (b) 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The movement for widow remarriage in 19th-century India was a significant aspect of the socio-religious reform movements. Reformers sought to improve the status of women by challenging orthodox customs like the prohibition of widow remarriage, often citing religious scriptures to legitimize their arguments.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was a pivotal figure in the widow remarriage movement in Bengal. He extensively researched ancient Sanskrit texts and scriptures to argue that the Hindu religion did not prohibit the remarriage of widows. His strategy involved using the authority of the Shastras to convince the orthodox society.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The British officials did not oppose Vidyasagar’s suggestion. On the contrary, they accepted his petition and arguments. As a result, the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856 was passed, which legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows.
- Statement 3 is Correct: By the second half of the nineteenth century, the movement spread to other parts of India. In the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency, Kandukuri Veerasalingam Pantulu formed an association specifically for widow remarriage. He is often regarded as the "Vidyasagar of the South" for his efforts in social reform.
Key Takeaway
Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was instrumental in the passing of the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856, while Veerasalingam Pantulu led the movement in the Madras Presidency.