Abolition of Caste
Explanation
The Paramhans Mandali was a secret socio-religious organization established in Maharashtra during the mid-19th century. It represented an early rationalist movement aimed at reforming Hindu social structure and religious practices.
Detailed Analysis:
- Foundation: The Mandali was founded in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1849 by Dadoba Pandurang and Mehtaji Durgaram. It functioned as a secret society because the members feared social ostracism.
- Primary Objective (Abolition of Caste): The core tenet of the Paramhans Mandali was the rejection of the caste system. The founders believed that caste was the main obstacle to social unity and progress. To demonstrate their commitment, members took a pledge to renounce caste distinctions. At their meetings, they consumed food cooked by members of lower castes, which was a radical act of defiance against the prevailing social norms of purity and pollution.
- Religious Views: They advocated for monotheism (belief in one God) and opposed idol worship.
- Comparison with Other Options: While the members generally supported widow remarriage and women's education , these were broader themes of the 19th-century renaissance. The defining and primary characteristic of the Paramhans Mandali specifically was its direct attack on caste rules through inter-dining. Sati had already been banned by the Bengal Sati Regulation in 1829, prior to the Mandali's formation.
Key Takeaway: The Paramhans Mandali, founded by Dadoba Pandurang, is primarily known for its objective to abolish caste and its practice of secret inter-caste dining to break social taboos.