Consider the following statements about the condition of widows in the 18th century India : 1. Raja Sawai Jai Singh of Amber promoted widow remarriage. 2. Maratha General Parshuram Bhau promoted widow remarriage. 3. Raja Ram Mohan Roy opposed Sati. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

The correct answer is Option 1. This question requires a nuanced understanding of 18th-century social reforms versus 19th-century movements.

• Statement 1 is correct: Raja Sawai Jai Singh of Amber (1688–1743) was a progressive 18th-century ruler who attempted to introduce social reforms, including the promotion of widow remarriage. However, these attempts failed due to stiff opposition from the conservative priestly classes.
• Statement 2 is correct: Maratha General Parshuram Bhau Kurundwad was a rare 18th-century figure who sought to marry off his young widowed daughter. He even consulted with the Peshwa and scholars to find religious sanctions for the act, representing early internal efforts for reform.
• Statement 3 is incorrect in context: While Raja Ram Mohan Roy did oppose Sati, his major work and the subsequent ban occurred in the 19th century (Regulation XVII of 1829). The question specifically asks for conditions in the 18th century.

Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 represent 18th-century initiatives.