Question map
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:
Explanation
The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, was a monotheistic reform movement that staunchly opposed idolatry and the worship of images [3]. Roy and his successors publicly protested against the blind acceptance of priestly authority and the need for a priestly class to interpret religious texts, emphasizing instead human dignity and rationalism [2]. Regarding the third statement, the Brahmo Samaj did not popularize the doctrine of Vedic infallibility; rather, it was the Arya Samaj that held that view. Leaders like Debendranath Tagore specifically repudiated the doctrine that Vedic scriptures were infallible, substituting intuition and rational selection for scriptural authority [1]. Therefore, statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
Sources
- [3] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 19: Towards Modernity > Brahmo Samaj (1828) > p. 299
- [2] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 9: A General Survey of Socio-Cultural Reform Movements > Socio-Cultural Reform Movements and their Leaders > p. 207
- [1] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 13: Growth of New India Religious and Social Reform After 1858 > Brahmo Samaj > p. 216