Indian Social and Religious Reform Movements

Meghalaya was formed as an autonomous state within Assam in 1970 and became a full-fledged state on January 21, 1972. Among the options, Kerala was formed in 1956, Goa in 1987, and UP (Uttar Pradesh) has existed since 1950, making Meghalaya the correct answer for a state formed in 1970.

Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General of India from 1828-1835, passed Regulation XVII in 1829 which declared Sati illegal and punishable by court. This was a major social reform during British colonial rule, championed by Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

In 1972, Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) led a movement that convinced dacoits (bandits) of Madhya Pradesh, particularly the Chambal Valley dacoits, to surrender and join mainstream society. This was part of his social activism and 'Total Revolution' philosophy.

The Asiatic Society of Bengal was founded by Sir William Jones (not 'Johns') in Kolkata in 1784 (not 1794) for the study of Oriental literature and culture. Despite the minor typographical errors in the question, Sir William Jones is the correct answer among the options provided.

Mahatma Gandhi organized the Satyagraha Sabha in February 1919 to protest against the Rowlatt Act, which allowed detention without trial. Members took a pledge to disobey this unjust law through non-violent civil disobedience.

Warren Hastings, the first Governor-General of India (1773-1785), laid the foundation of the Kolkata Madrassa in 1781 to promote Islamic and Arabic studies. This was one of the earliest educational institutions established by the British in India.

Lord William Bentinck established the Medical College in Kolkata in 1835, making it the first medical college in Asia for teaching Western medicine. This was part of his reforms to introduce modern education and healthcare in India.

Jawaharlal Nehru was the President of the Indian National Congress in 1930 when the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in March 1931. The pact was a result of negotiations between Mahatma Gandhi and Viceroy Lord Irwin, ending the Civil Disobedience Movement temporarily.

Ram Mohan Roy (Raja Ram Mohan Roy) founded the Atmiya Sabha in 1815 in Kolkata as a platform for discussing religious and social issues. This was his first organized effort at social and religious reform, preceding the Brahmo Sabha (1828).

Chittaranjan Das, popularly known as 'Deshabandhu' (friend of the nation), was a prominent freedom fighter and political leader from Bengal. He founded the Swaraj Party and was a key figure in the Non-Cooperation Movement. The title 'Deshabandhu' was affectionately given to him by the people.

Lord Macaulay's famous Minute on Education (1835) introduced English education in India and created the Anglicist-Orientalist controversy. It emphasized creating 'a class of persons, Indian in blood and colour, but English in taste, in opinions, in morals, and in intellect'. Note: the question says '1935' but should be '1835' - Macaulay served in the 1830s.

Debendranath Tagore revitalized the Brahmo Samaj in 1842 after Ram Mohan Roy's death, giving it new institutional structure and direction. He formalized the creed (Brahmo Dharma) in 1850 and established the Brahmo Samaj as a structured religious movement.

Gopal Hari Deshmukh, known as 'Lokahitwadi,' advocated for reorganizing Indian society based on rational, humanistic, and secular values. He wrote extensively on social reform through his weekly 'Lokahitwadi' column in 'Prabhakar' newspaper, criticizing blind faith and promoting scientific thinking.

M. G. Ranade was the chief architect of the Prarthana Samaj in Maharashtra (established 1867), which emphasized rational worship, social reform, and women's education. Ranade, along with R. G. Bhandarkar and others, provided intellectual leadership to the movement, promoting prayer over ritual and social service.

Jothiba Phule pioneered the Widow Remarriage Movement in Maharashtra during the 1850s. He challenged orthodox Hindu practices and campaigned for widow remarriage, women's education, and caste equality. His work complemented the broader movement led by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in Bengal.

N. M. Joshi, along with other labor leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai, organized the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) in 1920 to unite workers across India and fight for labor rights. Joshi was a pioneer of the trade union movement and emphasized constitutional methods and negotiation.

Ram Mohan Roy began his campaign against Sati around 1818, building public opinion through petitions, pamphlets, and debates. His efforts led to Lord William Bentinck's regulation (1829) banning Sati in British India. Roy's advocacy was grounded in Hindu scriptures and humanitarian principles.

The All India Women's Conference (AIWC) was founded in 1927 in Poona under the leadership of Margaret Cousins, with prominent members like Sarojini Naidu, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. It advocated for women's education, legal rights, political participation, and social reform across India.

Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar became Principal of Sanskrit College, Calcutta in 1851, where he introduced modern subjects, reformed curriculum, and promoted widow remarriage. As an educator and administrator, he modernized Sanskrit education while respecting traditional learning, becoming a key figure in the Bengal Renaissance.

The Hindu Widow Re-marriage Act was indeed passed in 1856. This landmark social legislation was championed by Lord Dalhousie and strongly supported by social reformer Ishwar Chundy. The act legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows, marking a significant step toward women's rights in colonial India.

Badruddin Tyabjee served as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1887, being the third Muslim to hold this position. He was a prominent lawyer and judge from Bombay who actively participated in the early nationalist movement. The other options listed were also associated with Congress but not as Muslim presidents.