Syllabus- Social Reform Movements -Brahma Samaj, Arya Samaj and Adi- Hindu and Dalit Movements, Role of Bhagyareddy Varma- Andhra Mahila Sabha and the growth of Women’s Movement. Role of Hyderabad State Congress and Vandemataram Movement
Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10
Mains Questions of the day
1.Explain the role of Bhagya Reddy Varma in social reform movements in Telangana.
Introduction:
Write briefly about Bhagya Reddy Varma
Body:
Mention his role of in social reform movements in Telangana.
Conclusion:
For his contribution to Dalit empowerment, he is called as Hyderabad’s Ambedkar.
Content:
Role of Bhagya Reddy Varma in Social Movements in Hyderabad State
- Bhagya Reddy Varma, the reformer who fought against untouchability in Hyderabad.
- He was the “Father of The Dalit Movement” in Telangana.
- Bhagyareddy Varma was born to a Dalit, Mala caste family.
- He was Inspired by Jyotirao Phule, he raised his voice against discrimination by the upper castes.
- He employed in Brahmo Samaj.
- Bhagya Reddy Verma was the first person who laid the foundation for Dalit movement.
- He led the movement in Hyderabad during early 20th century and also founded an organization named as jagan mitra mandali.
- The main aim of this organization was to encourage and awaken the social consciousness among Dalit.
- He invoked Hindu Puranic tradition to eradicate caste.
- He set up schools and also persuaded the Nizam to allocate special funds for the education of dalits.
- He also led successful agitations against the practice of dedicating girls, especially dalit girls, as devadasis or joginis to temples and forcing them into prostitution.
- As a part of their campaign to fight the Hindu caste system, they took keen interest in the teachings of the Buddha and promoted the adoption of Buddhism by Dalits.
- He established a social organization called “Adi Hindu”, which was aimed at bringing awareness among the dalit people.
- He also formed a group called “Jagan Mithra Mandali” which used to educate the Harijans and Malas through Harikathas, a traditional folk theatre art.
- Adi-Hindu movement is the first self-respect movement in Hyderabad.
- It was started against untouchability and caste discrimination in Hyderabad.
- The pioneer of this movement was Bhagya Reddy Varma.
- In 1912, he founded Manya Sangham which after a decade was given the name of Adi-Hindu Social Service League.
- The primary aims and objectives of Manya Sangham were:
- to create awareness through skits that the oppressed classes are sons of the soil
- to impart education to untouchable children
- to discourage child marriages
- to disallow non-vegetarian food and intoxicants in marriages and other auspicious functions
- to abolish the Jogini‘ or Murali‘ or Basavi‘ custom prevalent in the community.
- He supported Ambedkar who demanded separate electorate for the Depressed Classes.
- Bhagyareddy had launched a movement against the devadasi, forcing the Nizam to declare it a crime.
- He also campaigned on many social issues like Child Marriage, Black Magic, Women Education, Alcohol prohibition etc.
- His work was spread to neighbouring states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra.
- In 1906 Bhagya Reddy founded an organization called the Jagan Mitra Mandali and started the work of awakening social consciousness among the untouchables.
- To sensitize the community on various issues, He organized regular Harikatha Kalakshempams.
- Bhagya Reddy set up new Panchayats, an ancient system of the untouchable community to settle disputes among themselves.
- He developed and systematized their legal practices so that justice could be awarded without fear or favor.
- One of Bhagya Reddy ‘s most significant achievements in the social activism was his effort to prevent the dedication of young girls of the community to temples to serve as murlis‘ or jogins‘.
- Bhagya Reddy Varma felt that education was essential for the all-round progress and uplift of the depressed classes.
- In 1906, he opened a Lower Primary school for Adi-Hindu children and in 1910, he opened three schools.
- The number of these Adi-Hindu Primary Schools soon grew to 26.
- In 1933, these schools which were run by the Adi-Hindu Social Service League were handed over to Nizam‘s Government.
- During the 1920s and 30s Bhagya Reddy traveled widely throughout India, extending the work he had begun in Telanagana and raising awareness among the oppressed community.
- He organized the first All India Adi-Hindu Conference in Hyderabad.
- Bhagya Reddy did not confine his organizational activities to untouchables, but attempted to bridge the gap between hindus and untouchables.
2.Mention the works of BS Venkat Rao and Christian missionaries in upliftment of Dalit community in Telangana.
Introduction:
Write briefly about the condition of Dalit Community during Nizam’s Rule in Telangana.
Body:
Mention the works of BS Venkat Rao and Christian missionaries in upliftment of Dalit community in Telangana
Conclusion:
- The main objective of the Dalit Movement in Telangana was to establish a society based on social equality.
- These movements seek equality with all other castes in the society.
Content:
B.S.Venkata Rao:
- B.S.Venkata Rao changed the name of “Ambedkar Youth League” into “Hyderabad State Depressed Classes Association”.
- In recognition of the importance of Dalit movement in Hyderabad, Ambedkar invited Venkata Rao to preside over the Bombay Presidency Mahar Sabha.
- Inspired by the growing Dalit movement in Maharashtra, Venkata Rao initiated several activities to spread Ambedkar ideology among the dalit youth in Hyderabad.
- He was strongly influenced by educational institutions and movements led by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule in Maharashtra, and worked for the spread of education among the Dalit youth through many organisations.
- A large number of Dalit youth took active part in progressive activities under the leadership of Venkata Rao.
- Railway employees, Army Jawans, domestic helps with English officers, businessmen, contractors, among others, initiated several activities for the promotion of awareness among dalits.
- He did enormous work as Education Minister for promotion of education among the depressed classes.
- Nizam’s government sanctioned grant of Rs 1 crore to Scheduled Castes Welfare Fund because of the initiative taken by Venkata Rao.
- Popularly known as Hyderabadi Ambedkar, Venkata Rao was a courageous leader in building an inspiring movement for liberation of Dalits.
Christian missionaries and Dalits
- Several organisations and prominent personalities worked for social, cultural, and economic transformation in Telangana from the last decade of the 19th century.
- Several organisations engaged in promotion of new social awareness to end:
- injustice and
- oppression of Dalit and Bahujan women.
- Telangana region witnessed rise of several cultural and political movements from the first decade of the 20th century against feudal exploitation, untouchability, vetti, Jogini, child marriages, dowry, etc.
- Christian missionaries were the early agencies that engaged in providing consciousness among the Dalit and Bahujan communities by offering western education and knowledge as part of colonial modernisation.
- Spread of Christian missionaries, religious campaign, and proselytisation/ religious conversions continued since the 1880s during the Nizam’s rule in Telangana.
- Social, cultural and economic changes took place in depressed classes by adopting Christianity.
- Missionaries saw the socio- economic exploitation and discrimination suffered by the Dalits in Nizam state.
- Missionaries viewed Dalits as symbols of poverty and oppression.
- Missionaries saw the process of Dalits condemned into darkness through social and religious evils and considered it was their responsibility to bring them into light.
- They also believed that Dalits could not expect equal status and rightful place in Hindu religion and therefore conversion into Christianity was inevitable.
Prelims questions of the day:
1.Who among the following translated the book ‘Satyarth Prakash’ into Telugu?
- Pandit Keshava Rao
- Mahatma lakshman
- Dayananda Saraswathi
- Venkata Ramacharyulu
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Satyarth Prakash is a 1875 book written originally in Hindi by Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati, a renowned religious and social reformer and the founder of Arya Samaj.
- It is considered one of his major scholarly works.
- Keshavrao was closely associated with the reform movement of Arya Samaj in Hyderabad, transalted the book Satyarth Prakash into Telugu.
- Keshavrao was influenced by his friend Bal Gangadhar Tilak and on his request in 1897 he helped the Chapekar brothers of Pune who were in hiding, seek medical help in Hyderabad.
- He became a part of the Khilafat movement.
2.Who among the following was the “Father of Dalit movement in Telangana”?
- Keshavrao
- Bhagya Reddy Varma
- Komaram Bheem
- Suddala Hanumanthu
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Bhagya Reddy Varma the “Father of Dalit Movement in Telangana”.
- His original name was Madari Bhagaiah and he was the founder of Adi Hindu Movement in Telangana.
3.Who among the following established Arya Samaj in Hyderabad?
- Keshavrao
- Raja Rammohan Roy
- Swami Ramanand Teerth
- Swami Dayanand Saraswati
Answer: D
Explanation:
Swami Dayanand Saraswati:
- In 1892, the Arya Samaj was established in Hyderabad.
- Arya Samaj is one such organization founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
- Under the leadership of Swami Ramanand Teerth, Arya Samaj opened its branches in Hyderabad-Karnataka region
4.In which of the following year the first Adi Hindu conference was held in Hyderabad led by T.J.Papanna?
- 1923
- 1925
- 1921
- 1930
Answer: C
Explanation:
- The first Adi Hindu conference was held in 1921 in Hyderabad led by T.J.Papanna.
- In 1925, a conference led by N.M.R. Mukund Reddy has been officially allotted to him as chief head who led this meeting successfully.
- In same year, the Adi Hindu Hand Skills Exhibition was held to showcase the Dalits skills.
5.Which of the following is correct regarding the ‘Brahmo Samaj’?
- It supported caste system
- It denounced polytheism and idol worship
- It formed a new type of religion
- It supported doctrine of karma
Answer: B
Explanation:
- The chief aim of the Brahmo Samaj was the worship of the eternal God.
- It was against priesthood, rituals and sacrifices.
- It denounced polytheism and idol worship
- It focused on prayers, meditation and reading of the scriptures.
- The samaj has had considerable success with its programs of social reform but has never had a significant popular following.
6.Who among the following was the founder of Hyderabad State Congress?
- Swamy Ramananda Tirtha
- Arige Ramaswamy
- Keshavrao
- Suddala Hanumanthu
Answer: A
Explanation:
Ramananda Tirtha:
- The Hyderabad State Congress was a political party in the princely state of Hyderabad that sought civil rights, representative democracy and the union of Hyderabad with the Republic of India.
- It opposed the autocratic rule of the Nizam of Hyderabad and the militancy of the Razakars.
- HSC was formed in 1938.
- Swamy Ramananda Tirtha was the founder of the organisation Hyderabad State Congress.
- He was also Imprisoned by the Nizam of Hyderabad for 111 days for this deed.
7.In which of the following year ‘Jagan Mitra Mandali’ was started?
- 1903
- 1910
- 1906
- 1909
Answer: C
Explanation:
- In 1906, Bhagya Reddy formed a group called Jagan Mitra Mandali, which involved Dalits and Malas, and started telling stories by ‘Hari Katha’ (popular folklore).
- In 1910, he started to educate Dalit children, and in a short span of time he was able to run 25 centers with 2000 students.
- He founded Jayan Mitra Mandali to enlighten the illiterate masses.
8.Who among the following was associated with the “Grandhalaya (library)” movement in Telangana?
- Arige Ramaswamy
- Bagya Reddy Varma,
- B.S Venkat rao
- None
Answer: B
Explanation:
Arige Ramaswamy
- He founded Sunitha Bala Samajam and carried out social reform among the Dalits Movement
- He worked along with Bhagya Reddy Varma, S. Venkat Rao and other activists, who organized the Dalits in the early 20th century.
- Later, he joined INC and became Joint Secretary in Telangana Congress and been Minister in state govt. He was also associated with “Grandhalaya (library)” movement.
- During the first quarter of the 20th century, library movement in Telangana emerged as one of the most significant socio-cultural movements and contributed to public awakening
9.Who among the following started Vande Mataram Movement in Madras?
- Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
- Chidambaram Pillai
- Satindranth Sen
- G. Subramaniam
Answer: B
Explanation:
Chidambaram Pillai:
- He spread the movement to Madras and organised the strike of the Tuticorin Coral Mill.
- He founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in Tuticorin on the east coast as Province.
10.Which of the following was the main objective of ‘Adi Hindu Movement’ in Telangana?
- Religious conversions
- Gender discrimination and women empowerment
- Untouchability and caste discrimination
- Establishing the schools for oppressed community
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Adi-Hindu movement is the first self-respect movement in Hyderabad State.
- It was started in Hyderabad with main objective to fight against untouchability and caste discrimination.
- The pioneer of this movement was Madari Bhagya Reddy Varma.