UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 74 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Brahmo Samaj
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2012
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectModern History
- TopicSocio-Religious Movements
- DifficultyMedium
- TypeStatement
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Brahmo Samaj?
1. It opposed idolatry.
2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts.
3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Show answer
Answer: B. 1 and 2 only
Verdict
Correct Answer: 1 and 2 only
Analysis
Brahmo Samaj was a reformist and monotheistic movement founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
It opposed idol worship and priestly domination, but did not accept the infallibility of the Vedas.
Statement by statement
1. It opposed idolatry — Correct
Brahmo Samaj strongly opposed idol worship, rituals and sacrifices.
It promoted belief in one formless God, based mainly on the monotheistic ideas of the Upanishads.
2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting religious texts — Correct
Brahmo Samaj rejected the monopoly of priests over religion.
It encouraged individuals to use reason, conscience and personal understanding in religious matters.
3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible — Incorrect
This is not associated with Brahmo Samaj.
The doctrine of the infallibility of the Vedas was popularized by Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Arya Samaj, not by Brahmo Samaj.
Extra UPSC info
* Brahmo Samaj was founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828.
* It was influenced by the Upanishads, reason and monotheism.
* It opposed idol worship, caste rigidity and meaningless rituals.
* Raja Ram Mohan Roy worked for abolition of Sati and women’s rights.
* Debendranath Tagore later gave the movement a more spiritual direction.
* Keshub Chandra Sen helped expand the movement but later caused a split.
* Do not confuse Brahmo Samaj with Arya Samaj: Brahmo Samaj relied on reason and Upanishadic monotheism, while Arya Samaj gave supreme authority to the Vedas.
How to crack it
Brahmo Samaj opposed idolatry and priestly monopoly, but the idea of Vedic infallibility belongs to Arya Samaj, not Brahmo Samaj.