UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I
Question 74: History and Culture
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 :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).
The Brahmo Samaj, founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in 1828, opposed idol worship and the need for priests to interpret scripture, favouring worship of one formless God. It did not hold that the Vedas are infallible; it was the Arya Samaj that took that position.
- 1. It opposed idolatry and worshipped one formless God.
- 2. It denied the need for a priestly class to interpret the texts.
- 3. It did not popularise the infallibility of the Vedas; the Arya Samaj did.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 2 is correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: It denied the need for a priestly class to interpret the texts.
- Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (d) goes: it includes 3.
What you needed to know: It did not popularise the infallibility of the Vedas; the Arya Samaj did.
Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incomplete: it also denied the need for a priestly class.
- (b) Correct: it opposed idolatry and the need for priests.
- (c) Wrong: the infallibility of the Vedas was an Arya Samaj doctrine.
- (d) Wrong: statement 3 is false for the Brahmo Samaj.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.