Consider the following statements regarding the response to Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar’s campaign for widow remarriage: 1. Those who were against remarriage boycotted him. 2. The movement spread to other parts of the country by the second half of the nineteenth century. 3. The number of widows who actually remarried became very high immediately after the law was passed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only. Explanation Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was a central figure in the 19th-century social reform movement in Bengal. His extensive research into ancient texts and persistent campaigning were instrumental in the enactment of the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: Vidyasagar used ancient scriptures to argue that widow remarriage was permissible. This stance challenged the established orthodox customs, leading to severe opposition. Conservative sections of society not only criticized his suggestions but also socially boycotted him. - Statement 2 is Correct: By the second half of the nineteenth century, the movement for widow remarriage expanded beyond Bengal. In the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency, Veerasalingam Pantulu formed an association for widow remarriage. In the north, Swami Dayanand Saraswati supported the cause, and similar efforts were seen in western India. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: Although the law was passed in 1856, it did not lead to an immediate high number of remarriages. Social stigma remained powerful, and widows who remarried were often not accepted by society. Consequently, the actual number of remarriages remained low for a significant period after the legislation. Key Takeaway: The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856 was a legislative landmark, but social acceptance lagged behind the law, resulting in continued opposition and a low rate of actual remarriages initially.

NCERT Class 8 History — Chapter 6: Women, Caste and Reform

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the response to Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar’s campaign for widow remarriage:

Those who were against remarriage boycotted him.
The movement spread to other parts of the country by the second half of the nineteenth century.
The number of widows who actually remarried became very high immediately after the law was passed.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only.

Explanation

Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was a central figure in the 19th-century social reform movement in Bengal. His extensive research into ancient texts and persistent campaigning were instrumental in the enactment of the Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: Vidyasagar used ancient scriptures to argue that widow remarriage was permissible. This stance challenged the established orthodox customs, leading to severe opposition. Conservative sections of society not only criticized his suggestions but also socially boycotted him.
Statement 2 is Correct: By the second half of the nineteenth century, the movement for widow remarriage expanded beyond Bengal. In the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency, Veerasalingam Pantulu formed an association for widow remarriage. In the north, Swami Dayanand Saraswati supported the cause, and similar efforts were seen in western India.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Although the law was passed in 1856, it did not lead to an immediate high number of remarriages. Social stigma remained powerful, and widows who remarried were often not accepted by society. Consequently, the actual number of remarriages remained low for a significant period after the legislation.

Key Takeaway: The Hindu Widows' Remarriage Act, 1856 was a legislative landmark, but social acceptance lagged behind the law, resulting in continued opposition and a low rate of actual remarriages initially.

Your note

More from Chapter 6: Women, Caste and Reform

With reference to the social reforms initiated by Raja Rammohun Roy, consider the following statements: 1. He founded the Brahmo Sabha in Calcutta, which was later known as the Brahmo Samaj. 2. He relied exclusively on Western rationalist thought and rejected all ancient Indian texts to prove his arguments. 3. He led a campaign against the practice of Sati, which was banned in 1829. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding the movement for widow remarriage in the nineteenth century: 1. Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar used ancient texts to suggest that widows could remarry. 2. The British officials opposed Vidyasagar’s suggestion and refused to pass any law permitting widow remarriage. 3. Veerasalingam Pantulu formed an association for widow remarriage in the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the spread of education among women in the nineteenth century, consider the following statements: 1. The Arya Samaj established schools for girls in Maharashtra, while Jyotirao Phule established them in Punjab. 2. In aristocratic Muslim households in North India, women were taught the Koran in Arabic by women who came home to teach. 3. The first Urdu novels were written to encourage women to read about religion and domestic management. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Consider the following statements regarding women’s writings and organizations in the early twentieth century: 1. The Begums of Bhopal founded a primary school for girls at Aligarh. 2. Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain started schools for Muslim girls in Patna and Calcutta. 3. Pandita Ramabai wrote the book Stripurushtulna to criticize the social differences between men and women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the Child Marriage Restraint Act of 1929, consider the following statements: 1. It was passed after bitter debates and struggles similar to earlier social reform laws. 2. According to the Act, no man below the age of 18 and woman below the age of 16 could marry. 3. The age limits were subsequently raised to 21 for men and 18 for women. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

Keep practising Chapter 6: Women, Caste and Reform

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 8 History chapters

The correct option is (a) 1 and 2 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: Vidyasagar used ancient scriptures to argue that widow remarriage was permissible. This stance challenged the established orthodox customs, leading to severe opposition. Conservative sections of society not only criticized his suggestions but also socially boycotted him.
Statement 2 is Correct: By the second half of the nineteenth century, the movement for widow remarriage expanded beyond Bengal. In the Telugu-speaking areas of the Madras Presidency, Veerasalingam Pantulu formed an association for widow remarriage. In the north, Swami Dayanand Saraswati supported the cause, and similar efforts were seen in western India.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: Although the law was passed in 1856, it did not lead to an immediate high number of remarriages. Social stigma remained powerful, and widows who remarried were often not accepted by society. Consequently, the actual number of remarriages remained low for a significant period after the legislation.