Q. What was the primary effect of the Western conquest and the Western culture on the new social awakening in India?
(a) It made them realise the superiority of the Western thought.
(b) It exposed the weakness and decay in Indian society.
(c) It made them realise the superiority of Western technology.
(d) It brought the Indian society in contact with Christian ideas.
Ans: (b) It exposed the weakness and decay in Indian society.
Explanation: The primary effect of the Western conquest and the influence of Western culture on the new social awakening in India was (b) It exposed the weakness and decay in Indian society.
The encounter with Western powers and their cultural, political, and technological advancements had a profound impact on Indian society during the colonial period. The exposure to Western ideas, institutions, and practices made Indians critically reflect on their own social, cultural, and political systems. This led to a growing awareness of the weaknesses and decay present in various aspects of Indian society.
The social awakening in India, often referred to as the Indian Renaissance or Indian Social Reform Movement, was a response to the social, economic, and political challenges faced by Indian society under colonial rule. Influenced by Western ideals of reason, equality, and social justice, Indian reformers sought to address social issues such as caste discrimination, child marriage, sati (widow burning), and the status of women.
Therefore, the correct answer is (b) It exposed the weakness and decay in Indian society.
