Which of the following is an example of social legislation introduced by the British during the colonial period in India?

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) The Widow Remarriage Act
Explanation:
· The Widow Remarriage Act, 1856 was one of the earliest examples of social reform legislation passed by the British government in India.
· It legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows, who earlier faced strict social restrictions due to conservative traditions.
· The Act was introduced due to the persistent efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a major social reformer who campaigned for widow rights using evidence from ancient Hindu scriptures.
· The British government accepted his proposal and enacted the law as part of a broader attempt to address social injustices and oppressive customs in Indian society.
· This Act is mentioned in NCERT History (Themes & Class 8) as part of British social reforms during the 19th century.
Information Booster:
· Other major British-era social legislations include: ✔ Abolition of Sati (1829) — Governor-General Lord William Bentinck ✔ Infant Marriage Restraint Act (Sharda Act), 1929 ✔ Female Infanticide Prevention Act, 1870 ✔ Age of Consent Act, 1891
· Social reforms were influenced by Indian reformers like:
· Raja Ram Mohan Roy
· Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
· Keshab Chandra Sen
· The Widow Remarriage Act allowed widows to legally remarry, but they lost rights to their deceased husband’s property once remarried.
Additional Knowledge (Options Explained):
(a) The Rowlatt Act
· NOT a social legislation.
· It was a repressive law passed in 1919 to curb political movements, allowing detention without trial.
(b) The Vernacular Press Act (1878)
· NOT a social law.
· Introduced by Lord Lytton to restrict the freedom of the Indian-language press.
(c) The Indian Councils Act (various years: 1861, 1892, 1909)
· NOT related to social reforms.
· Concerned with political representation and legislative councils.
(d) The Widow Remarriage Act (Correct)
· A genuine social reform law aimed at reducing discrimination and improving the status of women.
✔ Correct Answer ✔ Explanation (in bullet points) ✔ Information Booster ✔ Additional Knowledge for all options ✔ 250+ words total per answer