Modern History
2020
Socio-religious Reformers

In the context of Indian history, the Rakhmabai case of 1884 revolved around

  1. women's right to gain education
  2. age of consent
  3. restitution of conjugal rights Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A.1 and 2 only
D.1, 2 and 3
C.1 and 3 only
B.2 and 3 only

Correct Answer: Option B

The Rakhmabai case of 1884 primarily revolved around two key issues:

  • Age of Consent: Rakhmabai's refusal to live with her husband, whom she married at a young age, sparked a national debate about the appropriate age of consent for women. Her case directly contributed to raising the age of consent in 1891.
  • Restitution of Conjugal Rights: Her husband, Dadaji Bhikaji, sought the restitution of conjugal rights, which Rakhmabai resisted, arguing for her right to choose and against forced cohabitation in a marriage she did not consent to as an adult.

While Rakhmabai herself pursued education (and later became India's first practicing lady doctor), the legal case wasn't directly about a woman's right to education in general, but about her right to refuse cohabitation.

Statement 1 is not correct. Statement 2 is correct. Statement 3 is correct. Hence, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.