With reference to Jyotirao Phule’s views on caste, consider the following statements: 1. He argued that the Aryans were foreigners who subjugated the true children of the country. 2. He claimed that the "upper" castes had no right to their land and power. 3. He proposed that Shudras and Ati Shudras should unite to challenge caste discrimination. Which of the statements given above are correct?

The correct option is (d). Explanation Jyotirao Phule was a prominent 19th-century social reformer from Maharashtra who led a movement against the caste system and Brahmanical supremacy. His ideology, famously articulated in his book Gulamgiri (1873), offered a radical reinterpretation of history to challenge the social hierarchy. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: Phule argued that the Aryans were foreigners ("aliens") who came from outside the subcontinent. He claimed they subjugated the indigenous population, whom he referred to as the "true children of the country," and established their dominance through conquest. - Statement 2 is Correct: Based on his theory of the Aryan invasion, Phule asserted that the "upper" castes, being descendants of these foreign conquerors, had no moral or historical right to the land and power they held. He argued that the land rightfully belonged to the indigenous people, the lower castes, who had been displaced and oppressed. - Statement 3 is Correct: Phule actively proposed that the Shudras (labouring castes) and Ati Shudras (untouchables) must unite to challenge caste discrimination. This unity was central to the mission of the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers Society), which he founded to secure human rights and social justice for the marginalized. Key Takeaway: Jyotirao Phule utilized the "Aryan Invasion Theory" to argue that upper castes were foreign oppressors, thereby delegitimizing their authority and calling for the unity of Shudras and Ati Shudras to reclaim their rights.

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

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With reference to Jyotirao Phule’s views on caste, consider the following statements:

He argued that the Aryans were foreigners who subjugated the true children of the country.
He claimed that the "upper" castes had no right to their land and power.
He proposed that Shudras and Ati Shudras should unite to challenge caste discrimination.

Which of the statements given above 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 (d).

Explanation

Jyotirao Phule was a prominent 19th-century social reformer from Maharashtra who led a movement against the caste system and Brahmanical supremacy. His ideology, famously articulated in his book Gulamgiri (1873), offered a radical reinterpretation of history to challenge the social hierarchy.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: Phule argued that the Aryans were foreigners ("aliens") who came from outside the subcontinent. He claimed they subjugated the indigenous population, whom he referred to as the "true children of the country," and established their dominance through conquest.
Statement 2 is Correct: Based on his theory of the Aryan invasion, Phule asserted that the "upper" castes, being descendants of these foreign conquerors, had no moral or historical right to the land and power they held. He argued that the land rightfully belonged to the indigenous people, the lower castes, who had been displaced and oppressed.
Statement 3 is Correct: Phule actively proposed that the Shudras (labouring castes) and Ati Shudras (untouchables) must unite to challenge caste discrimination. This unity was central to the mission of the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers Society), which he founded to secure human rights and social justice for the marginalized.

Key Takeaway: Jyotirao Phule utilized the "Aryan Invasion Theory" to argue that upper castes were foreign oppressors, thereby delegitimizing their authority and calling for the unity of Shudras and Ati Shudras to reclaim their rights.

Your note

More from Chapter 6: Women, Caste and Reform

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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?

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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?

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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?

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The correct option is (d).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: Phule argued that the Aryans were foreigners ("aliens") who came from outside the subcontinent. He claimed they subjugated the indigenous population, whom he referred to as the "true children of the country," and established their dominance through conquest.
Statement 2 is Correct: Based on his theory of the Aryan invasion, Phule asserted that the "upper" castes, being descendants of these foreign conquerors, had no moral or historical right to the land and power they held. He argued that the land rightfully belonged to the indigenous people, the lower castes, who had been displaced and oppressed.
Statement 3 is Correct: Phule actively proposed that the Shudras (labouring castes) and Ati Shudras (untouchables) must unite to challenge caste discrimination. This unity was central to the mission of the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers Society), which he founded to secure human rights and social justice for the marginalized.