The document discusses the challenges to the caste system in India through various social reform movements. It notes that initially caste was associated with occupation but became hereditary over time. Several reformers aimed to end caste discrimination and the oppression of lower castes through establishing schools, advocating for inter-caste marriage and widow remarriage, and promoting social equality and justice. Key figures that led reform efforts included Jyotiba Phule, Periyar, and B.R. Ambedkar who drew from their own experiences with caste discrimination and oppression.

1. CHALLENGING THE CASTE
SYSTEM
Notes

2. FILL IN THE BLANKS
• 1.varna
• 2.brahmo samaj
• 3.Savitribai Phule
• 4.Kandukuri Veerasalingam
• 5.harijans.

3. CHOOSE THE CORRECT ANSWER
• 1.Jyotiba Phule
• 2.Mahadev Ranade
• 3.self-respect movement
• 4.ezhava caste
• 5.DR.B.R.Ambedkar.

4. MATCH THE FOLLOWING
• 1.Satyashodhak sabha
• 2.prarthana samaj
• 3.periyar
• 4.Sri Narayana dharma paripalana yogam
• 5.harijans.

5. TRUE OR FALSE
• 1.false
• 2.true
• 3.false
• 4.false
• 5.true

6. SHORT ANSWERS
1.initially, caste was associated with one’s profession and could be changed.
• With the passage of time, the caste system became hereditary and people were no
longer allowed to change their occupations.
2.The prathana samaj served as a medium for social reform.
• It advocated inter-caste marriage, and widow re marriage.

7. CONT….
3.Veerasalingam is considered to be the pioneer of social reform in Andhra Pradesh.
• He was also a prolific writer who’s works include several literary forms such as
poetry, drama, and prose.
• He also started a telegu magazine for social reform because of his extensive
achievements, he was called ‘vidya sagara’ of the south.
4. the self respect movement was started by periyar.
• The main object of this movement was to give non-Brahmanas a sense of humour
pride based on their Dravidian past.
• 5. Gandhiji consider untouchability a sin.
• He felt that untouchability was eradication, the pursuit of Swaraj was meaningless.

8. LONG ANSWERS
1. Caste reform was regarded as urgent in India because it was closely linked to
social reform , which had to precede any political reform, with the progress of the
nationalist movement , intellectuals and freedom fighters realized that freedom
from colonial rule was meaningless unless it was accompanied by social justice.
2. It was felt that caste reform had to precede social reorm.
3. Social reformers pointed out that a society characterized by people who were
subjected to outdated practices , superstitions , and exploitation would never be
able to progress.

9. CONT.….
• 2.The pioneer of the caste movement in Maharashtra was Jyotiba Phule.
• He believed that the caste system had led to the exploitation of the lower castes by the upper castes
for centuries.
• He pointed out that the denial of education to the lower castes had condemned them to a life of
poverty and misery.
• He believed that education was the only way to uplift the lower castes.
• In 1848 , he opened a school for girls from the lower castes .
• He also educated his wife so that she could teach girls.
• In 1873, he set up the Satyashodhak Samaj, which aimed to improve the condition of the lower
castes and the untouchables.

10. CONT…
• 3.The main objectives of the self-Respect Movement were the spread of political education.
• to do away with meaningless rituals.
• to put an end to the caste system that had divided society into superior and inferior groups and
give people equal rights.
• to completely eradicate untouchability and establish a united society based on universal
brotherhood.
• To give equal rights to women.
• To prevent child marriage and promote widow remarriage.
• To establish orphanages and home for widows and to run educational institutions.

11. CONT…
• 4. Gandhji called the untouchables” Harijans” or “Children of God”
• Gandhiji started an ashram in 1916 at Sabarmati, which was open to all castes.
• He organized many campaigns to give Harijans access to temples, public wells , and
schools.
• He himself cleaned toilets to display the dignity of labour.
• He also started a paper called Harijan through which he hoped to convince people to
give up the sin of untouchability.
• He held public meetings to spread the message of caste equality.

12. CONT.….
• 5. The pioneer in the fight against caste oppression was Dr. B R Ambedkar.
• He belonged to a low caste himself and had suffered segregation and ill-treatment as
a child.
• Although he was able to attend school he had to sit separately and was not allowed
to mingle with others.
• He also had to drink water separately, which was given by a peon.
• When the peon was absent there would be no water available to drink.
• These sufferings inspired him to fight for the removal of caste oppression.