Which of the following is recognized as the ‘first most prominent movement’ among the regional movements in India?

Correct option is C

The Dravida Movement, initiated in the early 20th century, is recognized as the first most prominent regional movement in India. It emerged in Tamil Nadu and sought to assert the cultural, linguistic, and social identity of the Dravidian people, distinct from the dominant Indo-Aryan culture. The movement was primarily led by E.V. Ramasamy Periyar and focused on the idea of social equality, anti-Brahmanism, and the promotion of Tamil identity. The Dravida Movement played a crucial role in shaping the politics and social structure of Tamil Nadu and laid the foundation for the formation of Dravidian parties like the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam).
Information Booster:
1. The Dravida Movement aimed to challenge the dominance of North Indian (Aryan) culture and to promote the rights and welfare of the Dravidian-speaking peoples of South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
2. The movement was not only a regional and cultural movement but also a social reform movement, seeking to eradicate caste-based discrimination and promote social justice.
3. E.V. Ramasamy Periyar, also known as Periyar, was the central figure of the Dravida Movement, advocating for rationalism, women's rights, and the separation of religion from public life.
4. The Dravida Movement eventually led to the formation of Dravidian parties that have had significant influence in Tamil Nadu politics, with their focus on regional autonomy and the protection of local culture.
5. The movement also contributed to the anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu in the 1960s, protesting the imposition of Hindi as the national language.
6. Cultural revivalism and political autonomy were key elements of the Dravida Movement, leading to demands for greater regional powers within the Indian Union.